In total, how long were you away from home? 4 weeks
What was your motivation to take a gap break? At 53 I wanted an adventure, had time, money and health, not often you get all 3 and wanted to do something "real", to gain something while giving, and this project is very worthy and important to balance the needs of the Maasai and the needs of the wildlife. I was reading up on volunteer projects and contacted several companies; Gap Year For Grown Ups have a very comprehensive list.
How did you feel before you joined the programme? Excited but extremely apprehensive and then frightened! Not helped by everyone saying, "You are so brave". Huge support from the Gap Year For Grown Ups office. Scared I might fail and want to come home, but at the same time knew I wouldn't, if you know what I mean.
How did Gap Year For Grown Ups compare with your expectations? Better than expected and brilliant support from head office. No idea how much I would learn, very very privileged I feel.
What was the accommodation like?
First camp, Rombo, very basic but with a mattress so needn't have bought the huge one I lugged round Kenya. Clean and comfortable and fine for sleeping, no problems. Nice open dining area, plenty of nourishing food. Basic toilets and showers but thats Africa.
Better tents at Amboselli and more attractive site but I still preferred Rombo. Again didn't need mattress! The views were stunning - sunsets/sunrise and Kilimanjaro right in front of you, with national park to the left. Couple of bars (nothing like here, but there's beer!).
What did you think of the programme / did your project and destination meet your expectations? Yes it did meet expectations, didn't expect to laugh so much nor did I realise how serious a project this was. Consequently we learnt a huge amount, tracking animals, taking notes and GPS and completing a data transfer at the end of each week on what/how/where we had seen animals. Most importantly, volunteers undertake this work as it is deemed to be independent.
I was very very excited and pleased to know that my input was so important and that the data we collected every day was to be presented as a topic for discussion in order to change/improve the lives of Maasai people and wildlife. Rombo was very, very isolated, Amboselli very, very dusty. More than met expectations.
What was the most memorable moment of your trip? Any anecdotes?
A scorpion walking across the tent mat.
An elephant escaping from national park, leaning on my tent, thankfully i was 20 yards away and singing ABBA songs very loud with a friend i had made: Thank you for the music, ABBA, or i would possibly have died from fear.
The visit to the church, cried through the whole service, felt totally humbled.
The visit to the school to see such dreadfully basic conditions but where education was of such a high standard.
Teaching the kids the hokey cokey.
Seeing and studying 560 elephants in total, some within 10ft.
The sight of Kilimanjaro - every single time it gets to you.
The amazing sunrises and sunsets, the clear night sky and milky way
Having too many beers (2 in total, a lot when you've been teetotal for a month) and - apparently - doing the conga and putting on a concert, well, ABBA on mp3 again
What do you feel you accomplished during your programme?
On a personal level, huge, huge satisfaction that I could travel so far on my own, could cope with anything and everything that came up - I know I am resourceful, and tackled everything with good humour. Met lots of different people and am very, very proud I did it the African way and not the safari park way. Also that I could live without mobiles, TV, papers, hot water, blow driers, baths, bed, takeaways, friends, family and my gorgeous dog. Learned to live with people to the point we became a family and supportive of each other. Felt huge achievement that at my age, I could do this and get so much out of it. You need to have an upbeat personality, this is what you sign up for, and this is what you deal with. Loved it.
How have you benefited from your experience? How have you changed?
As above. Ready for the next one now, I'm more adventurous and can't wait to go somewhere and do something again. Had never been in a sleeping bag let alone a tent/campsite/African bush. Made two extremely good friends that I will be in touch with for the rest of my life. Gained a sense of satisfaction and am more aware of how others live every day of their lives.
What advice could you offer to someone considering this programme?
Do it! Be open minded to what you may face and totally embrace it. It's a month out of your life at worst and the best experience you will have at best.
Jan kept in regular contact with Gap Year For Grown Ups during her trip and here are just a few of her comments…
Sunday we went to church and I cried so much. The Maasai people walk from miles to get there, all dressed in what they think is their Sunday best, but rags at best, one little girl had odd flip flops on, not just the colour, the size as well, so sad. It was the most uplifting service in what appears to be a garage made from corrugated iron! The pastor thanked god for sending us. They are so happy with their lot, but when you see their lot you wonder what on earth we moan about at home.
When we got back to the camp, warriors came and did a dance for us. Later when we were in the shower, (ha-ha a watering can upside down but god it does the job and you feel fantastic afterwards) elephants came. I ran out with a towel wrapped around me, razor in hand and boots on. Needless to say, they didn't stay long.
I'm no longer scared of the dark nor claustrophobic, I can identify elephants and take a lion print. Been covered in filth, not been really clean once. I wear the same clothes, just no point at all changing… I look dreadful - not even a warrior wanted to buy me!!!
After redundancy, Sally decided to see the world. She enjoyed our South Africa Wildlife Course so much that within 48 hours of arriving back in the UK she booked onto the Malaysia Orangutan Experience and the Thai Adventure! Read more..
