Reasons for volunteering with WWISA

Not wanting to plunge into a "career path" directly out of college, Chris and I decided to travel abroad and do some type of volunteer work. After a few months of research, we settled on WWISA. Unlike most of the volunteer opportunities we'd come across, WWISA seemed geared toward actually making a difference in the local community. Most of the other opportunites we'd found seemed as if volunteer funding was used to support their research or projects.

Friends and family were skeptical. We were travelling to the "undeveloped, crime ridden, AIDS infected" continent of Africa. Well, some things you just have to find our for yourself, and I guarantee that it's worth it if you do.

Fred and Rocky really welcomed us to South Africa. Some beers on the lawn, crazy stories from Fred, and a nice bed to sleep in. Just what you need after a couple days of travel. I think that any fears or anxieties you might have had before arriving in South Afirca will be addressed by Fred or Rocky during the first few days that you are with them, allowing you to leave them behind for the rest of the trip.

We were placed at The Vermont Center, Home for the Aged and Disabled, in Knysna. Currently we are moving into our third week there. It is challenging and at times frustrating, but well worth it. We learn so much everyday. Currently we're trying to master Afrikaans, a daunting thought. Life would be boring if everything were easy, though. But the people at the center are excited to have some "foreigners" and outside ideas.

Fred and Rocky have been involved since we arrived, and are a continuing source of support, both with volunteer work issues and fun activities outside of volunteering. I'm really happy that we didn't listen to the skeptics. We would have missed out on so many fun and also eye-opening experiences.

Chris & Moriah - USA

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