Having stumbled across your thread, the words were mirroring my thoughts...Cameroon to Tajikistan, different flag, same wind that blows... I am, the 7th volunteer, to be placed in Tajikistan, and by luck, my placement has been successful, within the limits of what is realistic, however your sentiments of the organisation still ring true, from chasing home allowance, bad advice on flight allowances, delays in securing household items and shared housing for four professionals.... the organisation is dated and drowning in it only sea of rules and regulations that ties everyone up knots, programme officers, volunteers and local admin staff,the irony is that we are all here to capacity build, and yet when we turn to our support mechanism you cannot help thinking that the you should have your own house in order before you start sorting out someone elses. Back to Basics was a British mantra for a while and I think it applies here to... good quaility volunteers, in well thought out and... - Steve Jackson