Life changing experience
My trip to Swaziland for 5weeks with Kaya was absolutely life-changing and perspective altering! I decided to do it in between my sixth form years and have returned to school with so much more confidence, motivation and experience! I made such special connections with the children I taught, the locals that I met and the staff that helped me both from Kaya and from the organisation that helped me while I was in Swaziland. The staff that worked in my accommodation and that organised my project were truly amazing and were pratically surrogate parents and siblings to me while I was there. Anele and Piwe, two young ladies that worked in the accommodation bonded with our volunteer group and made special effort to show us around all of their favourite spots to relax and eat and have fun and were always there for us to talk to. I got the chance throughout my stay to interact with locals and the people of Swaziland, see many different areas (from the capital city to the countryside for ziplining!) and learn so much more than I ever could have through books and websites. So many beautiful landscapes and people live in my head rent free and I often try to reimagine them while I'm in the midst of my day-to-day bust life. Once I had settled in my placement the pace of life and culture was so amazing and something I wish I could experience at home too! The volunteers I met while I was there have become life-long friends, bonded through being thrown into a strange situation altogether and despite all living in different countries, we have met up twice since returning home! I am also in touch with some of the students I taught, the teacher at my school, my friends I made from Swaziland and even my taxi driver!! I absolutely adored my experience abroad and Kaya made it so so easy for a first time traveler like me! I was guided step by step through everything necessary for my trip and despite my total lack of experience the trip was pulled off without a hitch. My advisor Sheila was so so kind and always quick to respond when I had any queries or concerns. My trip will definitely form a huge part of who I become and have a special place in my heart. I cannot thank Kaya enough for making it the experience it was! Thank you! Meg :)
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