I have had some of the best days of my life at Rocky Road (WWISA HQ). Obviously, there are worse places to be – it's hot, sunny, beautiful South Africa after – but there is more. Volunteering with WWISA gave me the opportunity to work within a different culture and do something to benefit a poor community, while living with loads of interesting people.

For three months I worked with another volunteer, Caroline, on a small-scale agricultural project. Together we researched, fundraised and networked with the community to tailor-make a gardening project for the township of Kurland Village.

There were times when the challenges of working in a different culture seemed overwhelming – and things can work slowly here – but you learn to keep motivated and persevere. Now there are 40 people in Kurland who are participating in the project and have their own vegetable gardens.

In a disadvantaged community small things can make large differences in peoples lives, and the gardening project is helping change the way people eat, spend money, and care for their neighbourhood.

It is daunting to come out here and volunteer but there are so many things to do if you are willing to work hard and like to challenge yourself. I found that the community itself, the other volunteers and Rocky were very supportive of our efforts and good sources of advice and ideas.

Though the other volunteers were working on their own projects, we also had the opportunity to help each other out. On a social level it was great to live in the volunteer house and know that at the end of a hard day you had friends to crack open a beer with.

You come not knowing anyone and leave with new friends, great experiences and a desire to some back to this wonderful place and gorgeous country.

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