Personal Overseas Development (PoD)

I feel so incredibly lucky to have spent 3 months with Village Africa in Yamba, surrounded by spectacular scenery and truly lovely people: itýs such a happy place to live! Thereýs never a dull moment, Iýve had so much fun! Teaching has been challenging but fantastic; the children work so hard and their enthusiasm is infectious, they never fail to make me smile.

The project was really nice. I enjoyed every single day working there. The women were very friendly and I got some new friends, working with the young children was great. The experience of a lifetime which has given me an appetite to do more. I would recommend this project to others and working on a project is an excellent way to get to know South Africa.

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to live and work in Milingano for the past four weeks coaching sport, the people have been warm, welcoming and thoroughly entertaining. The excitement and enthusiasm of Milinganoýs children, whether for organised sport, an informal chance to practise their English or simply to wave hello from any distance is unfaltering and will always bring a smile to your face. We have been proud to contribute to the work being done here by Village Africa, the benefits of which are significant and tangible, and are clearly appreciated and understood by all members of the community.

At times the children have made me laugh, at times they have touched me with their kindness, and at times they have surprised me with their ready understanding and even wisdom. As I prepared to come to Liberty, I thought about what I might be able to do to help the children, and about what I could bring to them that they would enjoy. It hardly occurred to me then, though it seems so clear now, that the most valuable part of my time here, both for myself and the children at Liberty, would be the time we spend simply enjoying each others' company.

I really enjoyed the project in Vietnam. Working with the students was very rewarding. The children were very happy and appreciative and I felt welcome from the first day. It gave me an opportunity to do a short placement which allowed me to see whether I liked volunteering.