What inspired you to travel abroad?
I spent an extended time abroad previously in Sri Lanka and loved getting to know the people of the village I lived in, as well as experiencing some of the cultural differences. This time, I needed a break from my job as it was very intense, so I chose to take a sabbatical with my husband. I enjoy meeting new people and challenging myself.
Why did you choose Simoonga Thandizani Trust School?
I chose Simoonga Thandizani Trust School because we were travelling to that area of Zambia already, and I liked the variety of areas in the school that I could help i.e. different lesson subjects of English, Science, Maths & Social studies. I also wanted to work with a range of ages of the children, and this school has children from ages 3-13 years old.
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.
What was your favorite part about Zambia?
My favourite aspect of the host country so far has been the friendliness of the people and feeling safe at all times. The locals give friendly greetings and want to learn about where I come from.
The children are eager to interact with me and want to know about my home and interests. The town centres have been calmer than other places previously visited, and there is not so much crime.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
Getting to know the individual personalities of the kids was special, and although I wasn't with them for an extended period, I felt a part of their school community almost instantly. I enjoyed that the kids showed respect during lessons, but also wanted me to join them in play at lunch and with creative activities.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The director and his administrative staff were available constantly for anything I needed and the manager gave me a thorough tour as soon as I arrived. The teachers introduced me to the classes at the beginning of all of the lessons and eased me into helping with the classes. The cook was very kind, made me plentiful lunches, and was always checking in that I had all I needed.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I keep my travel plans very fluid to allow for spontaneity, but sometimes this does not allow for certain activities that may be unavailable last minute. So as I still plan to travel for an extended period of time, I will start to better plan the length of time in each place in order to be able to prioritise activities.
Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
- 6:30 am- get up & get ready for the day
- 7:30 am- kids start arriving for school
- 8:00 - 10:30 am - lessons start
- 10:30 - 11:00 am - break
- 11:00 am - 1:00 pm - lessons resume
- 1:00 - 2:00 pm - lunch
- 2:00 - 3:30 pm - lessons
- 3:30 pm - school finishes
Some kids would come back later in the day to play with us - football or other games.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I especially enjoyed playing with the kids and learning more about their personalities through their attitudes when playing. Some games were played as indoor gymnastics to break up studious lessons, and some were initiated by me after school. I enjoyed helping them learn the rules of new games and teaching them how to work together.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
I stayed in a double room with my husband. I liked having the security of our own locked room, knowing that our possessions were safe. The toilet and shower were nearby.
We had our own basic kitchen/room to eat in which was important for us to be able to take a break when needed. I thought that having security guards through the night gave us peace of mind for our safety whilst settling in.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
I think that it's important to know your own needs for self-care and prioritise them so that you can give the best version of yourself to those children that are watching and learning from you— i.e. I needed to practice yoga in the quiet times in order to recharge for the next day.
At the time I visited, there were power cuts every other day, so bringing a battery bank to charge electronics would be useful.
Etosha, Namibia.
Would you recommend Simoonga Thandizani Trust School to others? Why?
I would recommend this program as I think there is something for everyone who enjoys working with kids, and the hosts are very accommodating. The school has developed significantly in its time since its formation, which shows the dedication of the director, managers, and educating staff to provide all that they can for their students.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of travelling abroad is learning about different cultures and understanding different perspectives. You are able to observe how other countries are developing and you can take the best lessons from each place you visit in order to form a wholesome perspective of your own. You also develop relationships that you can continue throughout life.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
Yes, my time abroad has impacted my life as I have gained lots of experience that I can take with me into future employment or voluntary roles. I think that I will practice gratitude on a more regular basis, for all that I have in health and home comforts, and hope that I can encourage appreciation from others at home too.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel to me means seeing aspects of the real country, away from the traditional tourist paths. I think that we should try to make positive differences wherever we can, and doing something like volunteering while travelling helps to fulfill this. By exposing myself to different challenges when travelling, I am able to grow and perhaps live more meaningfully.
