What inspired you to go abroad?
It's my passion and dream to travel, and I want to gain more experience in other countries and get connected to different countries and people as well, to learn more about volunteering abroad with different people in the same field, and to boost my confidence in volunteering and how to take risks in war zones.
Why did you choose A Broader View Volunteers Corp?
I was at the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe
I chose to volunteer because I have been doing voluntary training and voluntary work for 5 years, and I have a passion for helping people. I love my work; it has helped me join organizations and travel to different countries, gain more experience, and I love the organization. It's international, and it has helped so many people in the field of volunteering, and its services are perfect.
What was your favorite part about Peru?
My favorite part was working with people I didn't expect, and I was welcomed very well.
I was taken to the kindergarten school I taught them a song, and I was so happy about that. I was given a gift by the class teacher, and ,I found out about the winter which I didn't know about, and I didn't expect it was very nice.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
It was my first time abroad, and I was very happy that I found different people with different knowledge I learned a lot and I tought a lot. My experience was extraordinary because I learned a lot of things different from the countries I visited, and people were very excited to learn about the skills I had.
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
Well I was supported in the language speaking, food, transportation and items that we were using to make different items for eating, they helped me with Jackets it was a winter storm and they helped me to go around the villages talking to people in their languages and teaching me to eat their foods.
I was in a plane to Zimbabwe
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
One thing I wish I had done was to teach women how to create their own business, to teach them how to grow vegetables at home in small spaces, and to teach them to talk to the girl child both in school and outside. Some girls needed councilors and women, old people needed comfort and support I wish I would help.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
It was winter and food,I traveled in the month of winter,I didn't move with enough clothes I felt very confused and I was thinking of going back to my country but I said no I have to complete my journey, I managed till I got the solution and I felt like should I live work but I thank God I managed successful.
What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?
I used to walk on the streets, go to the beach, I enjoyed sugar cane juice in Zanzibar, I enjoyed coconut juice a lot of things.
To make things worse, I used to get lost every day because of the tallest buildings in Zanzibar and the oldest ones. I enjoyed the evening food market and the Lake that disappears in the evening and comes back in the morning.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
It was a guess house with everything plus WiFi and it was very comfortable with me, it was very nice and clean in the safe place and the environment was quite nice. I used to go buy my food cause it didn't have safe food, and shops were very near, where I could walk and get anything I wanted, but the water was very hot.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
They should know about the months they are traveling; is it winter or summer, The dress code for that country or countries. Where the accommodation is, and whether the environment is clean and safe Access to food, cause someone guest houses don't provide food. To make it within walking distance from where they sleep.
Would you recommend A Broader View Volunteers Corp to others? Why?
Yes, if I got the best, I think if I recommend them, they will also get the best. What they should know about those program providers is that they book for you, but they will never travel with you, so I would advise everyone to ask questions before traveling and to know the right people they should contact.
My air ticket and a passport
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit was to get more visas in my passport, and that creates good travel history; to get more experience in my field of volunteering; to get to know people in different countries; to get to know more languages, though we can't speak all of them, but at least we can greet each other; and to support people.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I'm home now missing a lot of things, I don't see goodies sitting at home not working and I miss friends, I don't learn anything, I miss working. I see people on news crying for help I feel like if I was there to help,l feel like going back to work but since I haven't been selected, I have to wait till I'm selected and go back to work.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
It means when the trip was for the purpose, connection and Impact for the project, people and the places. A trip changes someone's life: learning, culture, connecting with people, doing something. It feels aligned with values, thinking about homelessness, learning about disabilities, and trying to move better and get connected.
