What inspired you to travel abroad?
I wanted to see the world and experience different cultures. I knew at some point my travels would lead me to a volunteer opportunity as I felt it was a great way to see real life in a new country and community.
I was hoping to give back in some way while taking away my own learnings and experiences of different ways of life.
Enjoying new experiences across the globe!
Why did you choose Simoonga Thandizani Trust School?
I chose this program due to the variety of roles/things to help with. The minimum stay was also attractive as I already had other travel plans that I couldn't change, but Edwin and his team were willing to have me even for a short period of time.
The location was a plus point as I was already heading to Victoria Falls. Having Edwin pick me up was also appealing as it helped take care of some of the admin and made life very easy, he was also easy to communicate with in the lead-up to the placement.
What was your favorite part about Zambia?
I have come to Zambia and gone straight to the school to complete my volunteer experience. There will be a more comprehensive answer once I have spent a few weeks here, but so far the welcoming attitude of the people really stands out as special.
I'm sure there will be more as I spend even more time here in Zambia and with the people at the Simoonga Thandizani School.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
People being so welcoming to guests/foreigners was a really nice feeling. Travelling can be daunting, so to have people that are happy to see you and help you along the way is great!
I was looked after very well by Edwin and the team at Simoonga Thandizani Trust School, and hopefully, others who have found their way to reading this, can get a feeling that they too will be looked after, and volunteering is a great and worthwhile thing to do (and not as hard as it seems).
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
Edwin arranged to pick me up from my guesthouse which was a big plus. Arriving in a new country and having to learn to get around without being exploited is something you need to prepare for always when travelling abroad, so having the pick-up there was a big help. I was also toured around the school by his amazing staff so I could meet the teachers and kids, and a short tour of the village just to get my bearings was also helpful.
It is a good way for them to announce they have visitors at the school, and to look after us. I really felt I was given a comprehensive welcome and that goes a long way toward helping you settle.
Exploring Namibia.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I'm still travelling so this is hard to answer, but so far just to be able to afford more time to things such as volunteering like this. I am glad to be able to donate my skills and time to the Simoonga Thandizani Trust School.
I hope that writing reviews like this and other pieces for them will help others who are looking for a fun and meaningful volunteer experience make an informed decision and know that they will have all their basic needs met and just jump into it and live it! By doing this hopefully, they will benefit from having more volunteers with other skills to help the school, staff, and ultimately the kids!
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
While at Simoonga Thandizani Trust school I would typically get up early so I could get breakfast and ready for all the kids. They love having people visit and help out and you want to be able to give them as much time as you can.
Classes start at 8 am and you are free to join any of the classes that you choose you could help best with. There is a wide range of ages and all of them are so happy to have you in their class!
There are breaks throughout the day including lunch (which is prepared for you), and there are classes such as music, expressive arts, sports, and more to participate in alongside the traditional Math, Science, and English, etc.
Once school is over there are often a few children that like to stick around and play, or you may end up joining a football game they are having at the playing field. You can then retire to make yourself some dinner and relax before bed.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
For me, it was seeing the local sites. Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River are highlights of the area and well worth the visit! I enjoyed the weather too as I visited in their 'winter' yet I was happy in shorts and a T-shirt as it would average 25 degrees most days! There are other trips that the school will also help arrange like a Chobe National Park day trip.
Cape Point, South Africa.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
They have a dedicated building with rooms for sleeping and cooking. They are basic yet more comfortable than expected. They are secure too which is important as when you are travelling you have all your belongings with you, and you want to make sure they are kept safe.
They have beds with bug nets (a definite plus), a shower and toilet for volunteers, a kitchen with a two-burner stove and cutlery, plates, dishes, etc. There is WiFi too.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
That it will seem daunting, and you will feel like you don't know what you are getting into, whether you and your belongings be safe, will you be looked after, and much more.
Once you arrive though you will feel more and more welcome and at ease with things and enjoy the experience, you just need to relax into it and embrace it all... It is different and sometimes hard, but a worthwhile experience!
Would you recommend Simoonga Thandizani Trust School? Why?
Yes, I would. Edwin and the team at Simoonga Thandizani Trust School were great and looked after me really well.
The kids were great and are really interested to meet and get to know the visitors they receive. They have secure and comfortable accommodation and basic needs for cooking are covered too.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
Experiencing different people and seeing beautiful and different places! To wake up in new places and take a break from what may be your daily routine I believe is a good thing. It is also good to see and experience how other people live, and what different places look like, and find beauty in all of it!
The Simoonga Thandizani Trust School welcoming committee!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I am still travelling but the impacts are already there. As a westerner, we know (or at least we should know) how privileged we are in so many ways.
But to live it and see it firsthand I think is something that can benefit so many people. Adapting to new and different ways of life tests you as a person and I enjoy the challenge and will continue to look for more experiences that do the same.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
For me, it means going to a place and enjoying myself, whether that is to relax on a beach, enjoy local foods, meet new people, try new things, or just go with the flow and see what happens, travel is a great way to explore the world and learn about yourself.
You will likely meet people who share the same interests as you along the way and take tips on places to visit or experiences to have that you will then do too. Or maybe you'll even end up travelling with them sometimes...just go with the flow!
