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Past Volunteers Stories in Africa We have added a brand new past volunteer feedback form, so if you are a past volunteer, submit your feedback or read about past volunteers experiences at African Impact. Volunteers tell their stories Claire Mann, age 41, UK, April 2008 Kenya Medical and Community Volunteer Project My true feelings are that I am still in awe of what I have experienced over the last two weeks and it wont hit me until I am home how amazing and special this experience has been. I have learnt a lot and now have a hunger to learn and do more. I want to help in anyway I can to promote what the project is achieving. Lisa Porter, age 33, UK, April 2008 Antelope Park Lion Rehabilitation Volunteer Project, Zimbabwe I never felt unsafe even though I was in Kenya during the election troubles because the African Impact team looked after us all very well. The Kenya project is really well run by a professional, committed and friendly group of people who help you to get the most out of your time volunteering. Dagmar van Rooij, Age 25, Netherlands, April 2008 Hwange National Park Elephant Monitoring Volunteer Project, Zimbabwe The whole 4 weeks I was in Zimbabwe, I had a great time. The work that everyone does is great and necessary. ALL members of the staff are polite and friendly. And even in this difficult situation they keep smiling.Really a place to return to.Thank you! Carolyn McNabb, age 19, Scotland, April 2008 St Lucia Community and HIV Education Volunteer Project, South Africa I think this project is great, you have done so much for the community and its clear they appreciate everything you have done for them and what is to come. I have gained so much from this project coming here is like going to another world and it opens your eyes to so much, I have loved every minute Angela Bonato, Italy, May 2008 Black Rhino Conservation, Zimbabwe Volunteer Project Working hands on with the Black Rhino and African Elephant is the most phenomenal experience anyone can have. They are both unique animals and incredible to work with...it really is one of the best projects I have come across.Its a once in a lifetime opportunity for ANY volunteer interested in African wildlife. Imelda Lowe, UK, May 2008 Livingstone Community Volunteer Project, Zambia It was an amazing, inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable trip. Those few heartbreaking moments get lost in the memories of such happy and enthusiastic people despite all they face. Hence my interest to continue to offer support even when I can't be there in person. Marlene – The Netherlands, Antelope Park Conservation Project,2005 “Mufassa (the Lion) turned around and looked at me, as if to look for support, as we slowly walked towards a herd of zebra. His sister Mel had just been chased away by the dominant male of the herd, and was shamelessly hiding behind a bush. But Mufassa wasn’t quite ready to give up. The 15-month-old cub was gracefully prowling through the high grass towards the herd. While staring each other in the eye, the lion and the zebra took turns taking a careful step forward, usually followed by a nervous step back. And I was only yards away, fascinated by the hour-long who’s-scaring-who-game between the hunted and his inexperienced hunter. I kept enough distance to not interfere, but had followed the lions far enough to feel like I had landed in my favourite National Geographic documentary. This was without doubt one of the most memorable moments of my month-long stay as a volunteer in Antelope Park. But every day I spent with the lions was an absolute thrill. I loved being chewed on by the innocent looking, but naughty and sharp-teethed little cubs. I loved bottle-feeding them. I even loved cleaning the enclosures of the big lions, just because it meant that I could spend some time in their impressive presence. And the lion walks, also the ones that didn’t involve stalking zebra, were always the absolute highlight of my day. It is an amazing experience to be accepted by the King of Beasts, and to walk by his side through the breath-taking African landscape” Read More - Working with lions in Zimbabwe Make Enquiry More past volunteer stories » back to top Emma Taylor, Hwange Conservation Project, 2005 Greg, Joe and Jerry, our supervisors, informed us to pack clothes and supplies for a few days as we were heading deep into Hwange National Park, and we were going to try and find some Hyenas that needed to have collars placed on them. We arrived at the national Park Campsite and set up camp, at 4.00pm we left to go and find the hyena. Greg and Jerry showed how to use the Telemetry system (radio tracking animals with collars) and we went off trying to find the Hyena. We picked up a signal at around 6.00pm and we decided to have an early dinner and go find them a little later. On the way back to the campsite we came across a herd buffalo we counter over 1000 of them, this was a site I would never forget - a mass of animals so great you could not see the grass but just the grey of the bulky Buffalo. Greg and Jerry informed us that if we followed the buff after dinner we should see lions and then hopefully our hyena. After dinner we went back to the buffalo and soon found 6 female lions all on the hunt! My heart was beating faster and faster the lions surround a small group of Buffalo and soon began the chase. Only meters in front our eyes in the bright moonlight the battle of the hunter and its prey began. The fight went on for 2 hours as the female buffalo gave it her all. But the 6 lions were just too strong and soon disposed of the buffalo. But what a pleasure and an honour to observe the fight for survival of two magnificent species. After the kill we soon heard the sound of our hyena, the signal was getting stronger and stronger every minute until 16 hyena turn up and waited for the lion to finish feeding. It has gone down in my books as a perfect night - we found the hyena and saw one of the most sought after events on earth, the struggle of life and death between predator and prey... Read More - Wildlife projects in Zimbabwe Make Enquiry More past volunteer stories » back to top Sarah Conolly, Livingstone School Project, 2005 I went through to Livingstone with our African Impact team earlier this year to go through the final stages of development for the programmes there. Although I’ve grown up in Zimbabwe and have travelled extensively throughout Africa, nothing could have prepared me for my experience in Zambia. I was totally overwhelmed by the children that we worked with – by their humility and diligence, and by the irony of the fact that it was definitely I who was the pupil. I felt myself to be a student of life in this place, and happier that I can ever remember being. I realised that we so often take simple things for granted at home, and how there is so much joy in pouring out your time to others. I was based at Dambwa primary school for the time that we were there, as well as spending some time at our other programmes including Maramba clinic and LISCA orphanage, and not even the fields of dust, and rusted and collapsing soccer posts and furniture-less classrooms could deter these smiling children from putting their hearts and souls into their learning. There is no doubt in my mind that working with children on projects such as this will impact dramatically and positively on everyone involved, and that in coming to Africa one comes to a place of learning and to a brave people who will always have a smile and a kind word for you. It was a dramatically moving experience. (And I can also recommend white water rafting to anyone and everyone!!) Highlights of a team expedition “Landing in Harare to the sounds of Ireland's Call came a team from, Ireland. The team was made up mainly of Irish, and also included an American, South African and even a Zimbabwean! The team spent their first few days in the high density suburb of Kambuzuma, near Zimbabwe’s capital Harare, assisting with re-roofing a local school and even tackled building on two of the afternoons. Everyone joined in, and there was a great atmosphere and lots of laughs with everyone learning to use building tools! After such a strenuous start, the team was able to rest and relax at Antelope Park, walking with lions and unwinding with sunset canoe rides. From there, the team headed to the Shalom Camp in the Matopos, to begin work into local community schools. The team had an excellent programme that prioritised love, encouragement and fun for the young children. They presented stories, plays and songs, played sport with the pupils and painted school classrooms for them. It was a highly successful and well-balanced programme that had an immense impact on the schools. 3-weeks after arriving in Zimbabwe the team ended their stay by enjoying some downtime at Victoria Falls…when you're jumping head-first off an 110m bridge, it really is 'downtime'! Comment from the team leader for African Impact: "Keep up the good work guys. You'll be the top of the list for any future recommendations…” Read more - Teaching in Livingstone Zambia Make Enquiry More past volunteer stories » back to top Are you a past volunteer? Submit your feedback Want to hear what others had to say? Read past volunteer feedback     print this page | bookmark this page (CTRL-D) | send to a friend back to top

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