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Helen Croker |
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 …
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Hallie
Stover |
It’s hard
to believe that it’s been 2 ½ years since I’ve
been in South Africa. I think that subconsciously I’ve been
putting writing this because once I write it will mean that I’m
not really there anymore… which I try to deny to this day. When
I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2004 I had no idea
what I wanted to do with my life…
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more...
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Emma
Wyatt |
I spent 3 wonderful
months at Rocky Road. I wanted to be involved in as many projects
and activities as possible and Mac certainly helped out there. I spent
most of my time teaching at Kurland Crèche which was probably
one the most rewarding experiences of my life. The children were so
happy and affectionate, amazing considering the poverty and hardship
they live in.
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more...
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Ross
MacLeod |
I recommend
volunteering in South Africa to anyone and I couldn't imagine a better
place to stay while doing so than Rocky Road. Not only are you guaranteed
a warm welcome and great stay there but you are given the freedom
to pursue the areas you wish in terms of volunteer work.
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Caroline
Kennedy |
I arrived at
Rocky Road not knowing quite what to expect from my stay. But I was
made feel welcome and at home from the start by the team. Together
we started planning what projects I would work on and I was soon introduced
to Kurland where I spent a week working closely with the teachers
organising the annual district inter-schools athletics meet.
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Ruben
Trinikens |
Doing volunteer
work at WWISA is a wonderful experience if you want to help the community,
meet new great people and see a lot of beautiful places.
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Melissa
Martins |
For my last
summer as a student I decided to spend some time volunteering abroad
and WWISA arranged for me to work at the Plettenberg Bay Day Hospital
and Clinics. I finally arrived in Plett after a long two days of traveling
from Toronto but I had a weekend to recover before my first day at
the clinics. This gave me time to settle into the slower pace of African
life and I was introduced to rugby and had a great tour of the area
from Mac.
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Bonny
Aansorgh |
When I woke
up this morning I felt kind of lost. It’s 3 weeks ago since
we left Rocky Road and 3 days ago that we left South Africa. I can
still remember leaving Rocky Road as if it was yesterday. It was quite
emotional because Rocky Road feels like my “African Home”.
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Kara
Lyn Gosnay |
My trip to South
Africa started as a 6 week long study abroad trip. I was excited to
go, but I thought I would get very homesick. I wanted to help people,
but I wasn't sure how I would adjust to being away from home so long.
I thought, if I were missing my home and family so much everyday,
could I fully enjoy the experience?
I met so many amazing people when I arrived that I did not miss home
for one second.
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Jackie
Gonzalez |
"I was
fortunate enough to be part of the first team to work at Coldstream
Village! It was such a rewarding experience, and as a future teacher
in the States, I can say that this trip has taught me so much that
I will take with me into my future endeavours! The WWISA team made
me feel so comfortable and at home - and the food is fabulous!! Anyone
who is fortunate enough to work with WWISA at any location in Plettenberg
Bay will say the same thing - an experience of a lifetime!!"
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Lauren
Bachman |
For my first
adventure out of the United States, I travelled to South Africa for
a little over six weeks. I was hoping to fall in love with the place,
but had no idea how hard I would actually end up falling!
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Caroline
Rogers |
When I decided
to volunteer overseas, South Africa was not the first country on my
list. In fact it didn’t even cross my mind until I came upon
the website while researching other organizations. Immediately WWISA
appealed to me with its personal feel (I got to communicate with a
real live person instead of receiving form letters that told me little
to nothing) and sense of teamwork. I was not disappointed in the least.
The three months I spent at Rocky Road were some of the best that
I have experienced and I often consider choosing South Africa as the
best choice I could have made for me.
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Frederiek
Heusdens |
We are you thinking
about going to South Africa for voluntary work and do you also want
to have a great time, meet new people and see the all the beauty South
Africa has to offer… Then you’re at the right place at
Rocky Road!
In July ’05 I finished my studies in order to become a midwife
and after that I worked in the Netherlands during the summer. I searched
all over the internet to find a good voluntary place where I could
also do medical voluntary work for a few months. After a long search
I found www.wwisa.co.za!
PS: If you still don’t know if you should go to WWISA, feel
free to mail me any of your questions: frederiekheusdens@hotmail.com
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Emily
Brewer |
When I arrived
in South Africa from a very cold and wintry UK, I really had no preconceptions
of what to expect. What I received when I arrived at Rocky Road, tired
and weary after a long trip, was a very warm welcome to the place
which has now pretty much become my second home!
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Jacquie
- Missouri |
I first came
out to Kurland in 2003 and was awed and moved by my experience that
I vowed to myself to return. In 2003, I was part of a college group
that spent two weeks working on a community based environmental health
education awareness programme; dealing with adults and youth who just
stole my heart!
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Pascale
from Belgium |
| It is because
of the enthusiastic testimonials I found here that I chose WWISA and
not another organization!
And it is all that they say, and even more, because experiencing
the real thing, "volunteering through WWISA" is even better
than reading about it
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Nicole
Alberino |
Am I giving
to them or are they giving to me?
I just finished four months assisting at the Crèche in Kurland
village and teaching swimming as part of an after school program.
WWISA serves as a place to put actions to our words and place stones
to mark our contribution to everyone else.
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|
From
Mary Ann Alberino, mother of Nicole who spent the last quarter of
2005 with WWISA |
To all parents
who may have concerns of their child's adventure to Rocky Road and
WWISA...........I had the privilege of spending time their with my
daughter after she had been there for three months.....
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Greg
Emery |
| My second trip
to Kurland Village via WWISA was even more rewarding than the first.
For three weeks I taught a small class at Grace House (an orphanage
and school) and assisted with a class at the crèche.
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Caroline
- Norway |
Working for
WWISA has been a great experience! During my stay I worked with some
of the kids of Kurland, both at the Crech and at the Safe House. The
kids, as well as the adults are very warm people and they all make
you feel welcome. I would love to come back and work for WWISA. Staying
at Rocky Road was lots of fun! Mac and Rocky makes the best food,
and you feel at home right away. This has been one of the best experiences
in my life.
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Elin
- Norway |
My time working
as a volunteer for WWISA have been an excellent experience, and It`s
something I will never forget. It was so rewarding working with the
kids in the Kurland Creche, and the people in Kurland Village in generel,
so warm and welcoming, gave me a new perspective on life.
My "African home", Rocky Road, made me feel welcome and
I also had a lot of fun during my stay. I will truly recommend the
WWISA experience, It has certainly been the most amazing experience
in my life, and I would love to come back one day. The people staying
at Rocky Road and the kids in Kurland are both people you get attached
to and will miss quite easily.
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Tom
Scheepers |
I first came
to Rocky Road as a WWISA volunteer in 2003, and had wonderful time
doing some computer work and training with the Kurland village children.
From the moment that I arrived, I was made very comfortable by the
people I met - the WWISA team, the volunteers working there and also
the people of Kurland that I worked with, especially the children.
The Plettenberg Bay area is really beautiful and the people I met
who are not directly involved in volunteer or community development
work are also very warm and friendly. I have been lucky because I
have been able to visit South Africa three more times since my first
visit and always spend time in Plettenberg Bay and with the Rocky
Road team who, hopefully, will be able to assist the welfare organisation
that I am working with in Belgium.
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Pete
Beaumont - Ireland |
Extended leave
from my regular employment made it possible to realise my long-held
dream of visiting Africa.....
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Ingvild
Kolltveit Togstad |
Thanks a lot
for the 4 wonderful weeks I got to spend with you in September 2005.
Looking back at it now it almost seems like a dream. I met so many
welcoming and interesting people both in Kurland Village and at Rocky
Road. The work I did at the Crags Primary School and at the Safe House
was so much fun. It didn’t feel like work at all. The kids were
great! I also enjoyed the time we spent at Rocky Road, in Plettenberg
Bay and in Natures Valley. South Africa is a really beautiful country.
You guys have a good sense of humour and know how to have fun. The
food was excellent, you really spoiled us! I do regret that we didn’t
beat you in the petanque tournament though. I really wish and believe
that I will come back in a few years and stay for a longer period.
Hopefully we will beat you then. And thanks for all the help we got
with our project. We received very good feedback on it and are very
proud of it ourselves. And of course, we passed with flying colours.
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Rob
& Emma |
The main focus
of our work was creating two educational trail booklets for use with
children. As well as these two main projects we got involved in a
number of others......--......Outside the work we had plenty of time
to get out and have some fun. In the evenings there were plenty of
legendary Rocky Road parties.
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Tiwo
- UK |
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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Pete
- Jersey, USA |
Whether it be
writing business plans for village residents, teaching children how
to use the computer, or mapping routes of beaches, my time here has
been full of things that I never thought I would ever have the chance
to do in my life.
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Amy
- Boston, USA |
I was deeply
impressed that despite the multiple projects each of the volunteers
had (that ranged from sustainable agriculture to fundraising), each
became actively involved in all of the other projects to support one
another. Rarely have I had the privilege to be part of such a supportive
community!
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Lorraine
and Fiona - Ireland |
We really enjoyed
the whole WWISA experience. It was the most challenging and rewarding
experience of our teaching careers, so far.
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Nicky
Webb- UK |
Every day here
has been different and it is a period of my life that I will think
about a lot ... and perhaps one day understand!
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Larry
Long Feathers - Barcelona - Spain |
"I must
say that my time working as a volunteer with WWISA has been the best
experience of my life so far ... the bottom line is that I've experienced
an awesome country through WWISA's hand. They really make the difference."
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more... |
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Sybill
- Switzerland |
"Hey guys!
Thanx again for everything! Had a wonderful time with you!!"
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Malin
- Sweden |
"They
made me feel like [I was at] home in no time and I've been so well
looked after that I have not once regretted my decision to come here."
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Natalie
- UK |
| "I got
a very friendly and helpful reply, the same day, telling me that I
could be placed according to my needs and wants, whether it be horse-riding,
dolphin research, working in a lodge, helping in a school or hospital,
anything." "I am working in the head office of three
lodges owned by the same person, one of which is on an elephant
reserve!"
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Chris
& Moriah - USA |
Chris: "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 opportunities we'd found seemed as if volunteer
funding was used to support their research or projects."
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Mie
- Denmark |
"I was
looking for an opportunity to work with dolphins when I came across
WWISA's webpage. I always wanted to see South Africa, so the chance
for a affordable way to combine these two passions without taking
work away from locals almost seemed too good to be true."
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Nicky
- UK |
"I have
met so many people in South Africa who are so happy - no matter what
happens, they always have a positive attitude and a smile for everyone."
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Manon
- Canada |
"I accomplished
all I set out to do. YIPPEE!!! Thank you for letting me have the opportunity
to do this. I am very grateful. Africa has my soul, I am indebted."
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Kim
Barendse - East London |
Set in one
of the most scenic places, the Garden Route, my experience at WWISA
has been unbelievable. From the day I arrived to the very last day,
I felt at home and met a lot of warm, friendly, generous and amazing
people. The Kurland Community was no different. I thoroughly enjoyed
working with the children and won't think twice about going back!!
It's one those things you have to experience to believe it's for real!!
Once you've visited Rocky Road you'll have to make loadz of space
for all the special people that become a part of you and that you'll
always miss.
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Iain |
I thought orientation
week would be one of meetings, going through paperwork, and generally
not very enjoyable. It was nothing like it.
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Alex
- Ireland |
Volunteering
with WWISA is one of the many things that I came to do in SA and I
think it's been one of the most successful!!
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Matt
- UK |
After deciding
to start my travelling experiences in South Africa I started to look
at volunteer organisations on the internet ... 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.
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