When I first arrived in South Africa I had no idea what to expect. I had never travelled outside of Europe so to say that I was scared is a huge understatement. However, it didn't take long to settle into life at Rocky Road and I will remember the 4 weeks that I spent there for the rest of my life.

I spent most of my time working at the creche in Kurland Village. It was quite daunting at first to be faced with a group of kids who don't speak English, but I quickly overcame the language barrier when I realized how enthusiastic the kids were to learn and participate in activities. One day in particular that stands out for me was when we took the kids to Monkeyland. The teacher said that it was an opportunity that they wouldn't usually get as families in the village couldn't afford to go to these sorts of places, so it was lovely for the kids to experience some of the things that are on their doorstep. Overall, my time at the creche was a rewarding and enjoyable experience and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to make a difference to the lives of the kids in the local community.

During my time in South Africa I learnt so much about myself and others, and although I was shocked by the level of disparity between the rich and the poor, this made me appreciate many of the things that I had previously taken for granted. I did things that I never thought I would do, such as the world's highest bungy and jumping out of a plane from 10,000 feet. Other highlights include walking with cheetahs and riding an elephant.

Rocky Road and the surrounding area is stunning - from beaches and mountains to forests, there really is something for everyone. More importantly, I will never forget the amazing people I met at Rocky Road. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming and that was really what made my time in South Africa special. My only regret is that I didn't stay longer, but I will definitely be going back to Rocky Road very soon!

Helen Crocker

click here to go back to volunteers diary