We are still without water in our flat. Time to go to the gym again, even though I'm not 100% back up to health. Ah, the sacrifices I make for a shower.
I've been busy with work, and it doesn't seem the rhythm will let up over the next 2 months. I'm working with an NGO that supports the crafts sector in Mozambique, putting together several fundraising proposals for them. It's hard work, and they have a limited budget, but at least it's an area that I am personally interested in. I'd much rather work with them and make less money than work analyzing some cement company's HR and accounting structures (or something equally uninteresting to me) all while making the big bucks.
There is the possibility I will sell out short-term, though. I have a meeting on Thursday with a local consulting firm that does more of the latter-type projects. They are in desperate need of help, and have been trying to talk to me about signing a full-time contract for quite a while now. I refuse to sign away my independence like that, but I am willing to explore a short-term contract, say for 3 months. Especially since I want extra cash for the end of the year so that Rico and I can visit my family for the holidays.
At least I'll be busy... Ricardo is getting ready to go to Brazil again for an extended period and I am facing the hard reality of being alone in Moz. It's always easier if I can maintain myself occupied for the duration of his absence.
5 comments:
just out of curiousity..what is the name of the NGO that works with the craft sector and which groups do they support? I wasn't aware that there was any formal structures in place to support the 'artesenatos' but it sounds like a good thing!
Oi Moira,
The NGO is a new one, formed just last year. They are called CEDARTE (centro de estudos e desenvolvimento de artesanato) and work mostly with business training for artisans, product development, marketing/market access and building newtorks in the crafts sector. They work with all kinds of artisans - woodworkers, silversmiths, etc.
Aid to Artisans, a big int'l NGO you might know, has been in MZ for about a decade. The people that formed CEDARTE used to be on their staff, then created the new organization as a spin-off to continue activities once Aid to Artisans leaves the country.
They actually do quite good work - one of the few NGOs here that I think is properly run, was created locally and is managed by Mozambicans, and doesn't waste a lot of money.
What an interesting job this will be! I love your blog..so interesting!
~Stacie - Definitely one of the perks of my job is that it's not monotonous! New projects every couple of months keeps me on my toes.
Sorry to hear about the water issue...I know life without running water is terrible, it used to happen when I was a child for about a week or two, once a year.
The NGO project sounds interesting. The other possibilities are also appealing, but I do think you are right in trying to preserve your independence.
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