Then the conflict in South Sudan happened. I was evacuated at the end of 2013, but returned to Juba in early 2014. But writing about what had happened; I just didn't know where to start.
I left South Sudan at the end of 2014, and for the past year I have been working in London, at Save the Children UK's head office. It was a very admin-heavy job, but I was able to travel out to Ethiopia quite a lot and work on some fantastic projects and really see change, which just reinforced my belief that I wasn't ready to give up field work just yet. So, as much as I loved living in London, with access to the theatre, my flat in wonderful Greenwich, friends and family, and my sweet cat, I started to look for another overseas job. And that's what I got. A two-year positing with Save the Children in Malawi.
Malawi? you ask? Where's that, or what's going on there? You may do a quick google search and see that it's southern Africa, squeezed on all sides by Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. You may also see that the biggest news item about Malawi is a corruption case, known locally as "Cashgate", in which 70 government officials have been arrested for embezzling some $32m of donor funds meant for fighting HIV/AIDS.
Other top headlines include accusations that women from neighbouring Mozambique are hustling in on the free 'family planning resources' at clinics meant for Malawian women, and that China is backing Malawi's 'stop wildlife crime' campaign. Heady stuff, but nothing quite like the high octane, parent worrying destinations of Afghanistan and South Sudan.
So, you think, surely she must mean Mali, where terrorists, tragedy and militants fill the headlines.
But, no, it's true, I am going to Malawi, and believe me, this change of course caused a lot of soul searching. I like to be in the thick of things, on the front lines, part of history (once a journalist, always a journalist), so I questioned whether Malawi would satisfy me. But, as a good friend said, maybe, just maybe, if you are not always worrying if you are going to be shot, blown up or evacuated, you might enjoy life a bit more, and even be better at your job. Wise words.
Oh, and did I mention that one third of the country is a natural lake, where you can dive, and that there are lions and elephants and giraffe?!
I'll be working for Save the Children as the Team Leader, or, as the role is called in our quirky development vernacular, the Chief of Party, for a Girls Education project which is called, rather originally, Keeping Girls in School (KGIS). I'm still not sure how we enunciate the acronym ..Kay Gis; Ke Gis; Kay Gee Eye Ess? but I am sure I will find out.
And perhaps, when I am not on safari, or diving, or hiking in the mountains, I may have time for writing. So I thought I would try to relaunch the blog. It may not be as tragic as South Sudan, or as edgy as Afghanistan, but there are animals, and who can resist a photo of a big cat?
