Arriving at Huay Pakoot , the remote Karen hilltribe village that was to be home for me for one week in January 2011, was so exciting. Set amongst breathtaking mountainous landscape, the village is so quaint and picturesque, with wooden houses built on stilts – to keep out the buffalo, pigs and chickens that roam the streets! The basic facilities took us back to a simple life, everything was clean and comfortable and we soon came to really enjoy our bucket showers – best taken in the heat of the afternoon!

Our first encounter with the elephants was magical. We had so much hands-on time in the field feeding, observing, collecting data and even measuring them! To watch their interaction and witness their amazing bonds with the mahouts was really special. My elephant was Thong Dee, the oldest and largest of the five and she was beautiful - a face full of such character that told many stories of her hard life before the project. The two infants were so playful, it was hilarious to watch their cheeky antics wandering through the forests. Knowing we were contributing, even in a small way, towards improving the lives of these amazing creatures was so satisfying.

I highly recommend GVI, it’s such an ethical, compassionate, professional organisation and I knew I was in good hands from my initial enquiry. GVI’s staff are very passionate and that is infectious. The Thailand Elephant Project was so well run and I loved contributing to such an important cause.

After working on the construction project for almost two weeks, a few of us went on safari for several days and had the opportunity to see exactly why our contribution was so important. Kenya is a country that recognizes the value of its natural resources and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) works very hard to promote education and training on protecting and preserving wildlife.

GVI and all of us who participate in any of the programs are helping to give alternatives to very good and deserving people; to raise awareness and bring viable concrete solutions by the commitment of a lot good folks. We worked hard but I'm telling you the people in the Kidong community worked dawn to dusk in a way that I will remember the rest of my life.

It was Tuesday morning when myself and the other volunteers at the nceduluntu nursery in Nomzamo township had our first day. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we had no idea that the loudest sound we could hear throughout that street was the cheerful chanting of "TEACHER TEACHER TEACHER!!" coming from a large number of Xhosa children between the ages of 2 - 5.

From a great start it could only get better:

These children were so enthused by us and enjoyed coming to nursery. They were full of charisma and very cheeky - one of the boys I taught managed to say "alright mate?" in a Liverpool accent!

It was startling to notice how independent some of these kids were. At 4 years old some of them were walking home all on their own - sometimes looking after a younger sibling.

Two weeks later I was in the local orphanage. The children here were equally cheeky and loved playing hide and seek.  

Before I left for South Africa my parents had warned/ nagged me about the dangers of arriving in an unfamiliar country with a company that I had only know via a Google search and some of the issues I ought to be aware of. GVI gave us a full briefing on safety, conduct and expectations whilst on the project and provided us with plenty of fun and everlasting memories.

I thoroughly recommend this experience and am very jealous of anyone going soon!

Among the most meaningful experiences to be treasured in my lifetime, the GVI project in Tsavo encompasses so many aspects of a global interest yet on a local scale, therefore making one’s contribution apparent and significant. The kindness and openness of the local communities in welcoming volunteers from abroad is matched by their determination to push for sustainable lifestyles. I was impressed by GVI’s professional and respectful attitude in regards the needs and desires of the local communities, allowing them to make the choices that will determine their future, yet providing them with the means to achieve their goals. The Tsavo region is a wildlife hotspot that cries out to be protected, yet this can only be achieved if the local communities are allowed to become stakeholders in safeguarding the natural resources for the future generations. GVI, in partnership with the WSPA, does just that, and has allowed us volunteers to perceive the identity of rural Kenya.

Playing football with the Mahandakini school children, building the huts with the enthusiastic Kamba people of Kidong or sharing a community meal with these brave villagers who forsook poaching for the environment  are dear memories that I’ll always thank GVI for. The project brings distant cultures together and, despite the negative perception we have in Europe of Africa in general (because of the media reports and the one-sided view of things in mainstream television), it has proven how much determination and how much hope there can be in this wonderful continent.

I left Australia expecting to spend 16 weeks of my life volunteering with GVI in Ecuador. Instead, those 16 weeks were just the beginning. GVI has inspired me to dedicate my life to improving the quality of the lives I touch through my volunteering both overseas and here in Australia. To be involved in the GVI community where everyone has the same passion and determination to be the difference is truly something unique.