VOLUNTEER CASE STUDY: OLIVER WARNER REPORTS BACK AFTER HIS AMAZING EXPERIENCE IN MOZAMBIQUE

Mozambique - Community & Orphan Care - Pre-school Orphan Teaching & Community Project in Tropical Mozambique

Jul 19, 2010

Oliver Warner from the UK volunteered on our Mozambique pre-school and orphan care project in May 2010, and here are some of the incredible things he had to say...
 
"This is written in retrospect and therefore has to be read with a pinch of salt, not because it is inaccurate, but because I am writing it after experiencing the project and then getting back into my old life and ways in the U.K. Which, in a word, sucks.

The previous sentence alone is a testament to the values and change in perspective that any one person would pick up doing such a project. I went to Vilankulos with the view of remaining objective as best I could and not getting too emotionally attached as that is what 'all these volunteers seem to do when they go to save the world' a direct quote from a friend who was somewhat cynical about my trip to Africa! Obviously, never been to Africa, its a marvellous place! I can only vouch for Vilankulos though, as I was a first time traveller. P.S, if you are reading this as a first time volunteer too, you will definitely get emotionally attached, if not to the kids, then to the beach, sunrise, stars, people, culture, weather...list goes on.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MOZAMBIQUE?
The first impression I got was the heat, the weather is beautiful and certainly a lot warmer to what I am used to.

But, I found it a useful talking point/ice breaker, every vol had something in common, even if it was sweating! I met 7 other volunteers during my stay, Will, Julio, Sylvia, Samy, Christine, Mathilde and Anna-Kethe and everyone was awesome. The atmosphere round camp was always cheery and the banter was plentiful! The group together enabled us to (I hope) really gel and push forward some of the teaching ideas that had already been used and hopefully we build upon them to teach the kids a little bit more, after all, that is what we all signed up for, to teach English.

One of the stereotypes I knew about but did not necessarily believe I would pick up was the fact that all of the kids are sooo happy and their zest for life is insatiable. Yet, they have nothing, really, compared to the people that visit them, like me, and by any stretch of the imagination, I am not rich. It really made me think about my life back home, how I would moan I couldn't go out because I didn't have enough money, or how I wanted a new laptop when I already had one that worked perfectly well, how I want a bigger, more luxurious holiday next year.....that all changed, and fast.

Each little experience made me my personality a little more rounded, a little more understanding, and a lot more appreciating of the people and opportunities presented. The project has everything covered, you really do get down to grassroots levels in the market, bartering for a few peanuts was really good fun! What is the point in going to a country like that and not taking part is absolutely everything?

AND TEACHING ENGLISH WITH NO EXPERIENCE?
All of these topics we had to plan ourselves with the aid of a teaching English as a foreign language text book and our project managers. The lessons were a little daunting at first, well for me anyway, as a first time teacher...but the kids/youths/young adults seemed to really enjoy being there, unless they were just good actors and I was actually [not great]. You just have to get stuck in and enjoy it, that's the only advice I have to give and it is the best advice I got.

WEEKENDS?
Once it had Saturdays were set aside for orphanage work, or building or a cultural day, whatever is most plausible. The orphanage was great fun, much like pre-school the kids are wacky and zany. I found it really hard to miss home or find anything negative about my life after the orphanage for example, and I personally only went there once!

If you are thinking about doing a project like this then you shouldn't need much more encouragement, and I'm not trying to sell it, this is how it is. But if I was trying to sell it, kids and life changing experience aside, [during free time on Sundays or Wednesday afternoons] there are some of the best untouched beaches you are ever likely to have seen. How about a sunset boat trip, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, water skiing, horse riding, boat trip and seafood barbeque on an island?

P.S Everyone should go, and if you're thinking about it, don't, just go, you wont regret it :D"

Find out more about volunteering in Mozambique or email our destination manager for this project directly on kirsty@africanimpact.com