That Which Only Peripherally Concerns Simon

I often use cute photos of Simon to spur a blog post, but Marissa's comment on my last post got me thinking.  While I don't particularly feel that my personal identity has been subsumed by my son, it would appear that way from this blog, wouldn't it?  (I know you didn't mean it that way, Marissa, don't worry!)

So, I thought I would innovate a bit and actually write a post without cute Simon photos or anecdotes - is that half of my readership I hear clicking off the blog?

 I have been giving a lot of thought to next steps in life.  (insert 15 minutes of Googling "evaluation development degree" and then a trip to the kitchen for another coffee)  As I mentioned in my previous post, AusAID offers to reimburse studies undertaken that directly relate to one's field of work.  I'm keen to remain in development for as long as possible.  I've given a lot of thought as to whether I want to remain in the health sector which would mean completing a public health certificate in the very least in order to obtain formal qualifications.  And the answer that I've come up with is... no.  I'm not so devoted to health development that I want to specialise.  I would be happy to remain in the health sector for the foreseable future, but definitely have specific interests in other areas (gender, law and justice, education). 

Back to the mental drawing board I went.  AusAID is excellent at providing career development opportunities for its staff and one such seminar offered to our office was on monitoring and evaluation (M& E) for development projects.  The speaker was frank - almost brutally so - and took us each through one of our programs to demonstrate just how flawed the M & E component was.   It didn't take a genius to see that it would be impossible to demonstrate better health outcomes for the people of Vanuatu using the current evaluation systems... and if you cannot demonstrate positive change in black and white, what is the point of aid?

And so...  I am in the process of searching for post-graduate qualifications in M&E.  I will most likely be doing this degree online at a certificate level initially and, if I successfully complete that without too much pain, might move on to a Masters.  I am giving serious thought to either Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra or Melbourne University.  I was also thrilled to be chosen as one of AusAID Vanuatu's M&E trainees which will mean specialised AusAID M&E courses throughout the year and most likely a trip or two to Jakarata, Indonesia to get a first-hand look at the AusAID program evaluation going on there.

This brings me back to the fact that Fred isn't particularly thrilled with his job right now.  He craves a larger working environment with formalised feedback systems.  Construction has been in a major slump here, only really sustained by overseas aid to the infrastructure sector.  Indeed, Fred's in the process of tendering for a large, rural solar project through the Ministry of Health (funded by AusAID - don't get me started about how we've managed to avoid a conflict of interest in this small town).  We're both still very happy living in Vanuatu and don't really have a clear idea of where we would move if we did leave.  However, I don't know how long Fred will be able to sustain enthusiasm for his current working situation... and we all know what happens when you begin to dread having to go to work.

So in the meantime, we physically busy ourselves with Simon-wrangling and new nakamal building.  Our old nakamal was beginning to rot, and so we've built a much more permanent structure.  It will be half-jungle gym for the boy and half jungle juice for us.  I have it on good authority that the roofing has arrived at our house today from its island origins, so pictures should follow soon!

 Alright, and if you made it this far, you deserve a rewards so...

  

 

Comments

[Philippe LE GUYADER]

Bonsoir ou alors bonjour suivantl'heure !!
petit coucou de Philippe et Ségalen, content d'avoir eu de vos nouvelles via le blog bravo pour la régularité.
J'avoue que l'épisode de pêche m'a particulièrement fait marré.Je reconnais bien là fred.
ici nous sommes rentres dans une période froide -7° aujourd'hui, nous sommes loin des chaleurs du Vanuatu, j'ai toujours cependant la marque de bronzage de mes tongues mais je ne suis jamais pieds nus !! dommage.
nous vous souhaitons une excelente année et pleins de bonheur partagés.

[Amy Jo]

I was thinking that its exciting and daunting to think about all of our futures- "good on ya" for making the training program and hopefully things will look up for Fred. There is nothing worse than one partner being "happy with the job," and the other one miserable. Oh, and Simon, is super cute, but you knew that already. x

[miranda]

So maybe you guys will move to Canberra and join us at ANU?

[William Gates]

Aww! He's slimming down and looking more boy-like every post! Gretchen loves his videos. XO from us.

[Marissa]

Look at that blonde hair! OK, I won't further comment on the Simon-related portion of this post. Congratulations on landing the training opportunity! Hopefully that will help you to decide on your future specialization and further education. Look forward to hearing more about what you decide!