Stories from abroad

I've been here for a couple months now and it really feels like home. I've been living in a village called Makongeni where at the local school we've been building a library, a well, toilets and just doing general maintenance. It is amazing how happy the people here are. They're living in utter poverty yet it's hard to feel sorry for them when they're so up-beat and generous towards you. The best bit of this trip has been all the kids running up to you to hold your hand and just being happy with you even though some of them can't understand a word you're saying.
Luke Richmond, Kenya

After a month, everything has around us has become 'normal'. The roosters at 5am, random goats that walk around everywhere, "Africa Time", daily marriage proposals. I've been teaching for about two weeks now, English and PE/sport. The kids love sport because they don't normally get to do it. English is great as well. The kids are all keen to learn. The school is very basic but serves its purpose most of the time. The other day, I was sitting in the classroom, and this goat made a frantic sprint from a door at one side to the other. That's when you know you're in Ghana.
Harriet Watts, Ghana

Working with the kids was hands down the most rewarding experience of my life. The smiles on their faces when you see them understanding what you're teaching gives you a feeling you can’t begin to describe. The entire experience has humbled me and given me a huge sense of direction in my life. I know after my time there that I've got a much wider understanding of the world, its people and its cultures. The way the program is run gives you a lot of freedom to put your own thoughts and ideas into practice, the more involved you get the more rewarding it will be.
Joe Reardon, India

The whole experience has been amazing. I would say to anyone that decides to come to Cusco:
make sure you take every opportunity that you come across. There are a lot of amazing things to do and see and people to meet. Don’t be afraid to talk and get to know people as you can form some amazing and long-term friendships. I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of such an amazing program. It really has been an experience of a lifetime.
Georgina Andrews, Peru

Well, I have not experienced anything like culture shock: life in Vietnam is just another way of living. And I'm loving it. You might think that when I say I'm working in an orphanage it’s tough work. But most days we muck around with the kids, play soccer, cards, computers, do art, take them out and most importantly, wrestle. The orphanages are mostly happy places. But this is thanks to the many western volunteers who have come here over the past three years. One thing I have realized is that volunteers do make a difference, no matter how long they stay and there are a lot of people doing really cool things.
Emma Butcher, Vietnam

It was the best experience I've ever had. I learnt so much about myself and other people, cultures, traditions etc. It also made me appreciate everything I have back home so much more. Thanks so much for everything, I couldn't have asked for anything more.
Amber Rains, Ghana

It's not for everyone 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 – somewhere not many people venture to!
Skye Buttenshaw, Ghana

Priceless memories. You have to experience it... words can't explain.
Nick Twynham, Peru

This is a great experience and one that I will remember for many years to follow. It made me aware of the world and also gave me a chance to embrace other cultures.
Nick Bonner, Peru

The Thailand Expedition was a great way to ease into your placement. It introduced some of the work we might be doing and the conditions we might be living in, yet it was still very much a fun holiday.
Jeremy House, Thailand Expedition

I am in England now after Ghana! Sadly, I have left Africa but hope you all had a great Christmas wherever you are!

We had such a lovely English Christmas with family friends in Surrey and although it was so weird to be in cold, every house looking the same, no obruni-calling people England it was so nice to be back with some family and eating all those delicious foods that I haven't had in ages. Grapes! Chocolate! Cheese! Milk! I went crazy the first time Lara took me to a supermarket called Waitrose which had so much stuff to choose from! haha ill probably get so fat. I've ridden on the tube, the big red double decker buses, a little different to the elephant ride while I was on safari yet just as exciting. Ha ha. So not true elephant was a tad more exciting! We have done a bit of sightseeing...

So safari....so much to tell!!!! Saw the Big Five (rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo), completed it on the last game drive on the last day by sighting a leopard (who are very rare to see) as we were racing back to camp. Saw Giraffe, zebra, antelope, baboons, crocodiles, HIPPOS (so excited to see a hippo but also very scared), lots of birds and so many others I can't remember as I am racing to write.

We walked and played with lion cubs: I was freaked out alot, more than I thought was possible. I rode and swam with elephants: swimming with the elephants was the best fun I have ever had, basically it consisted of the elephants ducking down and up and sideways into the water with me sitting on top. I always seemed to get the cheekiest elephant who kept staying under the water for a long time (she could breathe as her trunk was pointing out from the water, I however couldn't breathe).

Maybe she didn't like me. Ha ha. I was on a 19 year old Elephant for the game ride and she was the funniest girl i have ever met. She kept bringing presents to the trainer while we were riding with her trunk, a big rock, many little rocks, some grass, a branch...and low and behold...a fence pailing (the trainer was puzzled too as to where she had got it!)

We tracked a family of Rhinos, the guide was even sticking his fingers in rhino poo to feel if it was fresh or not. We went to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins which were fantastic as the sun set. I flew in a Microlight over Victoria Falls, jetboated some rapids at the bottom of the falls, and got soaking wet just going on the walk along the falls. In summary....FANTASTIC.

Claire Dodds-Eden, Ghana

We found the BEST thing was worksheets. The kids had never used them before & we just prepared a double sided, hand written worksheet for each 1 hour lesson and that filled in the time. Seriously, one lesson we didn’t bring a work sheet and the kids were begging for one- they loved it!

In the last 15min or so of each class some kids (usually the girls) would finish their sheet and the slow kids would be struggling so we bought a few packets of pencils and the girls would colour their worksheets and we’d sit down with the boys and make them finish. This worked every time.
Kate Reid, Peru

Today was the last day at the school for the Antips group. All Peruvian schools have been forced to close early for school holidays by the Ministers of Health and Education to combat the rising spread of Swine Flu in schools.

Despite this, the Antips group worked really hard to finish off their lessons and the computer centre so that we could celebrate together with the teachers and students on their last day.

There was lots of dancing, singing and reciting of poems. Each of the Antips received a Peruvian beanie made by the mothers in the community.

The computer centre looks great with six new computers, printer and photocopier. The kids were so excited to sit in front of the machines. They had no idea how to use even the mouse but it won't take them long to learn.

Half the group are off on the Inca Trail on Sat and then they all start their travels to Arequipa, Nazca, Brazil etc.

We have been so proud of this group. From the beginning they were very organised with their lesson plans and required very minimal assistance. The kids have really benefited from the classes and are retaining a lot of information. The were very organised with their project planning, running the budget and ensuring that the computer centre was finished on time.
Jane, In-Country Agent, Peru