Gap Year for Grown Ups
Setting off on a gap year can open up a world of adventure, cultural revelations and exciting new experiences. Few destinations embody these elements more than Africa, its vast and varied landscapes, diverse range of wildlife and endlessly fascinating culture make for a life-changing and adventurous trip.
Taking the leap, however, can be daunting prospect, especially for mature travellers and career breakers who have been used to the normality and mundane routines of home for far too long. Travellers who would like an insight into African life before biting the travel bullet, need not despair, leading mature travel company Gap Year for Grown Ups has access to some exclusive travel advice.
On a recent visit to the company’s UK offices, in-country coordinator Kim Roques was more than happy to share his views on African travel; ‘there are so many things that make travel in Africa special. Getting up close to big game is fantastic, and the people have a really interesting cultural perspective on what is important in life…they really know how to enjoy life for what it is!’
Kim oversees a number of projects including teaching, orphan care, sport and building in Swaziland, medicine in Cape Town, a Whale Shark Conservation project in Mozambique and a fantastic tour that runs from Kruger to Coast.
The projects are a great opportunity for volunteers to really make a difference across a wide range of areas. Whether their skills lie in education, community development, medicine or wildlife research. For Kim, it’s the work of the volunteers that matters most ‘the most rewarding aspects are seeing the houses built for needy families, seeing the results of research being translated into government policies for conservation, and seeing children with no education and prospects improve their standard of life and knowledge.’
There are two amongst the many options that have special appeal for Kim. The Kruger to Coast tour gets pride of place due to its fun and culture packed regime ‘it’s a great combination for travellers as it covers a variety of things; safari, trekking, volunteering sightseeing and cultural immersion’. Second but by no means less interesting is the Whale Shark Conservation project, ‘this is an amazing project; you get to contribute to vital work and the experience of getting in the water with a whale shark for the first time is incredible, it will blow your mind!’
Travellers debating whether to go through a company or not may also be interested in Kim’s views on partnerships ‘there are lots of projects in Africa that desperately need volunteers, and lots of people in the UK who want to get involved in volunteer work. Gap Year for Grown Ups do an excellent job being the necessary link.’
Unfortunately, in-country organisations can’t always gather the funds and strength they need to be successful, and ultimately help the projects. The plight of giving projects the help they need dominates Kim’s final thoughts ‘often volunteer organisations who look for help in-country find that there just aren’t enough people who are willing or able to help, we are grateful for the help Gap Year for Grown Ups give us. It allows us to keep doing what we do.’
For more information about the featured projects or Gap Year for Grown Ups many other Africa options take a look at the website here http://www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk/
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
