Why did you decide to volunteer with African Impact in South Africa?
Jody: It was the Photography and Conservation project itself that drew me to African Impact. I was searching the internet for volunteer projects and came across it and it just spoke to me. After doing some research on African Impact from reviews and past volunteer feedback, I realized it was a great company and I liked what it had to offer.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Jody: On the Photography/Conservation project our first week was a fun and intensive photography course complete with 'classroom' time and 'field' time, with several hour game drives everyday. The following 3 weeks, our time was spent evenly on game drives with lots of photo opportunities, community work, conservation work and time to edit and process our photos.
On the Orphan Daycare/HIV Education project we spent every morning at a creche spending time with the children teaching, playing, helping to feed and bath babies and just giving the children the time and attention they need. Afternoons were spent with either HIV education, Home visits, garden project or After School Club.
With both projects were were fed very well with good accommodations. There were many amazing extra activities and trips that were offered as well on both projects.
How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Jody: This experience has definitely impacted my life in a positive way. I walked away with great knowledge and experience in photography and plan to continue my passion and hope to make it a career one day. It has change my views on finding happiness and joy in the simple things in life and that it doesn't take all the 'stuff' of western society to bring happiness.