Stories from abroad

 

My experience in India has had a very big impact on me. It allowed me to experience a different culture and country, not as a tourist, but as a local. I had an address and a place I could call home for the three months that I lived in Pen. Secondly, the knowledge that I have made an impact on people’s lives, for the better, is a very rewarding feeling. And it has provided me with the confidence to know, that I am capable of making a difference to the world. Thirdly, the experience of living away from home, in a different country as provided me with confidence, self-esteem, self-value and independence. Everyday, even if it is for a moment, something happens that makes me think back to my time in India, and it reminds me of what I have achieved, what I am capable of and where I want my life to go.

Ashey, India

 

I did my placement at a disability in Hanoi – helping out with kids with disabilities wherever I could. Basically this included helping feeding, toileting, and playing with the kids, as well as helping with manual handling, carrying the heavier children because I apparently have impressive muscles! I felt a little underworked until the class teacher got sick and had to go to hospital for a week - I was suddenly much more needed!

Claire, Vietnam

 

I worked out some numbers this week, I have been in Ghana for 39 days, I have been in Gomoa Manso (Gomoa village) for 35 days, school for 23 days, taken 41 malaria tablets, used 2 bottles of rid, I have 36 kids in my year 6 and 27 in my Year 2 and there is 50 days to go until I reach Australian shores.

Ma, my host mum, has been really sick this week and yesterday we found out that it was malaria which is like a common cold for them over here.

Yesterday afternoon was one of the best moments of my stay in Ghana. I was chilling with the boys at the soccer oval and then one boy, Omar, asked me to escort him home as he wanted to introduce me to his family. I ended up meeting Kenneth's, Omar's, Isacc E's, Job's, Eric's, Isacc I's, Isacc Q's and Philip's families. I met grandmothers, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, nephews, aunties and it was such a good feeling to interact with the people of my village and especially the boys' families. I was able to tell them what good boys they have raised. There was like this massive convoy of children and me walking through the backstreets of the village, stopping in at all the houses.

He then told me that his mother was in another village (far away) and that his father had died in May this year. Eric is an awesome little kid and it was really heartbreaking to look into his eyes as he told me this. I gave him a little hug though, to "ease" the moment. All the boys ended up walking me home where we said our goodbyes and said to each other "okyena mayhew" which means "tomorrow, I will see you". Again I have to just say how much this experience means to me. These kids that i am teaching are becoming my best friends and my life over here. They are just incredible and the warmth and open-ness that they are showing to me, Andrea and Sarah, the other volunteers in my village, is exactly what we were all hoping for.

Daniel, Ghana

 

I spent one month at the camp site near Makongeni village. I worked with a team of other volunteers to complete the teacher's accomodation that had been constructed for the nearby Makongeni secondary school. Because the group at camp had been split up into smaller groups in order to rotate around the different project work locations, my small group was in charge of beginning the task at this particular site. This meant that we were responsible for first designing the landscaping for the courtyard and garden area of the house and clearing the area (which involved long days slashing grass in the hot Kenyan sun), before moving to the interior, exterior, and floors of the house which all needed to be painted.

During rotation, I was also able to work of the complete renovation of a classroom at the nearby Muhaka school. This was very hard work, as we had to concrete the floor, plaster the walls, replace the roof, and then do the paintwork. This took a lot of work because we needed to fetch large quantities of water from the village well, and make up our own cement and paint, as well as the ladders and several of the implements needed to undertake the task.

I was also able to spend a week at the Mwalunganje elephant sanctuary, where we helped to design and produce elephant dung paper products and worked to replace the roof on the souvenir shop. The camp was unbelievable in so many ways, firstly by taking me out of my comfort zone and helping me to develop skills of teamwork, leadership, good communication, cultural awareness, and initiative. Also, the friends I made from several different countries are friends I am confident I will keep for life, and the camp helped me to deal with confronting new situations where I know absolutely no one!

Because my degree involves studies in economics, languages, history, politics, and development, having the chance to have a hands on experience with developing communities gives me a bit more of an idea as to how to work with a community and how projects or policies affect local people and therefore how they may be approached. The experience also imparted me with a better world awareness which is invaluable to me.

The Kenya experience was also unique in that we were able to simultaneously be involved in project work while being able to take trips on safari, explore the surrounding area, be involved in water sports, and also to share the experience with other volunteers.

Liyana, Kenya

 

I had the time of my life. It was challenging but so much fun. I’ve made some great lifelong friends out of my experience and will go back once I’ve finished my uni degree.

Lucy, Kenya

 

Things are going fantastically here. Teaching is great. The kids had been learning some English prior to our arrival but the ability to sing the alphabet was all they had to show for it. However they are quickly making progress, which is great to see. In the afternoons we have been doing some construction and tree planting at the school. Monday is Indian Independence Day and the kids have been rehearsing for a concert for the village which we eagerly await!

Madeleine, India

 

Priceless memories. You have to experience it... words can't adequately explain what I've done.

Nick, Peru

 

To travel in a foreign country while doing volunteer work is one of the best ways one can experience that country's culture. Not only do you step out from the ‘tourist persona’ but you become one of the locals, living in a local community and experiencing all of the wonderful customs, cultures and foods that one would never see while staying in a hotel or resort. Although you feel emotionally helpless at times, the ability to go and help people who live less well than you do really makes you feel good and allows you to appreciate everything that you have.

Sabin, India

 

I think now that I’ve come home I realise that there is a big world out there. I tended to think of things in terms of how they affected me, Sydney and Australia. I always knew that there were problems in all parts of the world, but I never actually read about them or tried to educate myself about them. I just knew briefly what was going on. Now I know that there are more pressing issues out there than what happens at home. I now think how certain issues will affect other people in developing and developed countries.

Sarah, Peru

 

It's a challenge but if you think you are up for it, chances are you'll have the time of your life. There will be few other opportunities in life to go and live and work in somewhere like Africa. The people are perhaps the friendliest in the world and the children think the world of you. It's also a great excuse to go and see the rest of Africa.

Skye, Ghana

 

I worked on a mobile dispensary unit for the local non-government organisation. The team consisted of two or three Australian volunteers, a local employed doctor and social worker. The role of the mobile dispensary unit was to travel to tribal villages surrounding the town of Pen in the Raigad district. We performed medical checkups on the tribal people and gave free medicine.

The role the Australian volunteers performed primarily was to perform medical check ups on sponsor children associated with the organisation. We received basic training over a week long period to be able to identify the conditions which were most prevalent amongst the children. We would diagnosis these conditions with the help of the doctor and distribute the required medicine. We compiled reports at the end of each week, with each report discussing a particular ailment which the sponsor children were suffering from.

I also spent three weeks volunteering with a state hospital, in the diagnostic unit, with two medical interns. I put myself at the disposal of the hospital employees and performed any jobs asked of me. I learnt a lot about life in India, and was grateful for the opportunity to be able to help people. I better appreciate the diversity which exists on earth.


William, India