What inspired you to join the team at DAKTARI?
My younger brother used to come to DAKTARI a lot as a kid and he told me how nice it is and that they take care of wild animals. Because of my fear for animals, I thought it would be a good thing for me to come and work closely to the animals in order to kill my fear and gain and develop more love for them which worked like magic.
Pretty traveling with the best learners of the week at Tshukudu bush camp for a game drive and Cheetah walk
Can you tell us about your role as the Office Assistant?
My role as the office assistant is to assist the office manager with some of her duties when she is off and making sure that the program runs smoothly. I also the volunteers with the teaching program when the volunteer coordinator is off, by doing the administrative work and making the children’s certificates.
I help to organize excursions for our volunteers and organizing free game drives for the 10 best children of the week after every 10 weeks with our nearest game reserves. I also help with many other tasks that help the volunteers and students enjoy their experience with us.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is creating birthday cards for volunteers and thank you cards for sponsors on Canva because I have to come up with different ideas for each volunteers and sponsor, so I learn to be creative. I also enjoy organizing excursions for the volunteers because the more they get to explore SA and see how beautiful it is, the more they will encourage others to come, which is good for my country and the tourism industry here as it helps to create more jobs for my fellow South African people.
Pretty is onsite doing a bush walk with volunteers and children
Where do you organize excursions for the volunteers?
I organize excursions to Kruger National Park for safaris, Klaserie glamping, Blyde River Canyon walks and boat excursions, bush walks, hot air-ballooning trips, Moholoholo, hippo viewing, elephant whisperers, helicopter rides, and white water rafting.
What makes you proud to work with DAKTARI?
The fact that we are taking care of orphaned and injured animals, as well as educating the children from our nearest villages about the importance of caring for the environment and animals. I am proud for the impact that the program is bringing to our community, seeing the community members getting involved, and understanding the importance of saving our environment/animals.
How do you integrate the lessons you learned as the Volunteer Coordinator in your current position today?
I am still coordinating once a month when the volunteer coordinator is off - it’s just that I do a lot more administrative work than I did in my previous position. I integrate the lessons I learned in being able to multitask and always have time to help the others when they need help.
Pretty is busy working in the office
You have known about DAKTARI since you were young. What intrigued you about the organization?
Ever since they started working with the local schools and the community a lot off people became more aware of the importance of caring for the environment and protecting the animals. It also helped a lot of youth that were just sitting at home doing nothing to find jobs by attending job hunting program for a week at DAKTARI.
Why is South Africa an incredible destination for travelers and volunteers?
In South Africa, there are many different kinds of cultures to learn about, as well as many different kinds of interesting animals that you cannot find in any country but here. South Africans are mostly a friendly bunch, especially while having a braai, watching sports, and enjoying a beer. You can safari in five-star luxury only a few minutes from an international airport with direct connections to the rest of the world. The Drakensberg, Waterberg, and of course, Table Mountain offer breathtaking, world class views.
Pretty is with the children feeding the animals
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel to me means having unique experiences and meeting different kinds of people and their culture.
What hopes do you have for the future of DAKTARI?
My hopes for DAKTARI in future is to see it succeeding more with the community projects, not only with one village but all the other ones that we are currently working with their schools.
