Recruiting my National Volunteer

Today we interviewed for my national volunteer. This is a Cameroon person who will work alongside me and translate my French for those who only speak Fulfulde. I was really looking forward to getting my volunteer because I felt he/she would be an ally in what feels increasingly like a lonely job, but basically I didn’t get my choice and felt a bit depressed when she went off afterwards with Amadou, the secretaire general who I now think is going to be my main source of opposition here. I came home and sat in a bowl of water and had a weep, but then pulled myself together as it is good that Amadou likes her and she may get information out of him that I have been unable to get and I am leading a change management process in one of the most corrupt countries in the world so what do I expect. I can see myself drawing so much on my previous work experience, all the bad management experiences, consultants I have worked with, books I’ve read – I am remembering it all and using it to help me put things in perspective and keep my equilibrium. That feels quite positive.