I’m not really into clichés,
but it’s true what they say; Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you
richer.
It provides a broader perspective on all aspects of life, it
deepens understanding and ignites intrigue. To travel is to learn, to enjoy, to
experience. To be excited, exhilarated and to explore a sense of awe and
wonder. To test ourselves; our limits, emotions and strength.
***
So here we are, our last day of work at Camp Beaumont and
just a week away from finally flying out to South Africa. 2 years of wishing,
hoping and planning, scrimping and saving too, it’s finally becoming a reality.
We knew we wanted to volunteer abroad since it was described
as a course highlight way back on our university open day in 2010. An
opportunity for both that could not be missed.
Since then, the saving began. We put money away for a camera,
spent our pay cheques on flights and in the mean-time along-side the studying,
we worked for Camp Beaumont, scraping as many pennies together as we possibly
could. Yeah we sacrificed (if you can call it that), we spent our summers drinking
lime and soda instead of pints like our friends and stayed in to watch Corrie
rather than heading out.
Upon first mention of our pipe dream to family and friends,
we only really half believed in our own fantasy. That was, until we asked for
advice from friends about vaccinations and insurance…then reality hit.
Now it was time for the real research to begin – Hep A&B,
Typhoid & Rabies – really?!
The ‘Telegraph Adventure Travel Show’ in London was however
nothing short of inspirational; we collected heaps of magazines which we happily
perused during the train ride home (yet, not without getting carried away!)
Once we had checked and estimated our budgets we refined our searches down to
Africa and once again to South Africa after realising the vastness of the
African continent in relation to our limited student loans!
Our next step was to search for an affordable, legitimate
and sustainable voluntary programme within South Africa. (This was no easy task).
We were especially cautious after reading articles regarding concern for what
has become a rather ‘commercial’ Voluntourism industry.
Originally inspired by a young girl on the ‘KAYA: Responsible
Travel’ stall at the Adventure Travel Show who excitedly described her
experiences of volunteering abroad, we were very taken in. Desperate to get the
ball rolling we saved for the pricey project fees. However, after extensive research
through local student travel agencies (STA) and the web, we luckily stumbled
upon an African based facilitator with a registered charity number (African
Impact: The Happy Africa Foundation) who offered the same volunteer projects
for less.
Flights – Booked.
Deposits – Paid.
Vaccinations – Ouch!
Now we are scraping the last few pennies together and
converting as much of our earnings as possible into South African Rand, here’s
hoping that our pay cheques arrive as promptly as we will in South Africa next
Wednesday! Maybe this was always meant-to-be…
