The WWISA Experience

After deciding to start my travelling experiences in South Africa I started to look at volunteer organisations on the internet. I had heard about Working Abroad and that they were represented by a lot of volunteer companies from around the world. That is how I came across W.W.I.S.A. I had seen other voluntary organisations that needed volunteers in South Africa but their costs were high and the websites were not appealing. W.W.I.S.A was very well put together and very informative. The most appealing factors were the costs of the projects and knowing that some money would be going towards a charitable organisation. Unlike other organisations W.W.I.S.A was not out to make huge amounts of money but to transfer skills and experience to disadvantaged people throughout the community.

Chris and Rocky were very helpful in giving advice from areas such as plane flights to necessary vaccinations. As soon as I arrived at Rocky Road I was made very welcome and experienced some excellent braaied (barbecued) seafood. I have been introduced to most of their friends and have experienced their ways of living, in this superb area. Rocky and Chris have also organised a lot of activities to do in the local area, i.e. sea fishing, game reserve, whale and dolphin watching and partying in Plett.

The orientation period has been fantastic and gives you a chance to acclimatise with the area, meet new people and see how South African people live. Rocky and Chris have been excellent hosts and have made me very welcome.

I am now looking forward to starting my project which will involve teaching English to Afrikaans and conservation work in the Tsitsikamma mountains, along coastal areas and working on the famous otter trail.

Matt Parsons

Cambridgeshire UK

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