I think everyone has noticed by now that I seem to be on the move quite a lot. I've come to the realisation that I don't want to leave this world having not done the most amazing things. I want to see the beauty in the world and leave my mark, help people, animals... Anything in any way that I can.
I want to look back at my life and think 'wow... What a life'.
This year, I've been really focused on wanting to travel and volunteering (I already have my next location in mind). I've heard about Riverside a couple of times from different people. I've seen the most amazing pictures and heard the most amazing stories about how lovely the people are and how amazing the experience is.
Riverside is an Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Phalaborwa, South Africa (click me for the website). "Riverside Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre specialises in the scientific rehabilitation and reintroduction of South Africa's 5 primate and other wildlife species back into their natural native habitats:
Chacma Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Samango Monkey, Lesser Bushbaby, Thick-tailed Bushbaby."
The website I have provided gives you all the information you need to know if you would like to volunteer. I am yet to travel (due to travel on 15th September - which I am doing alone), but I wanted to write an introductory post so that I'm not writing a 6,000 word essay explaining all about before, during and after.
One of the main questions I had was how much I would need to spend beforehand, like clothes, injections, things to pack, etc... Tbh, the clothes thing is all about bringing the crappiest clothes you have and that you don't mind getting dirty. I did also buy a load of new 'to get dirty' clothes because I didn't have many old clothes.
Injections
As this is South Africa, injections are needed. You cannot avoid this (or you can... But you'll just be ill or die). I have had Malaria tablets, Typhoid injections, Hepatitis A and B, Rabies (3 courses of injections - you need to start this 2-3 months in advance) and I'm already covered with Tetanus. Some of these things are covered on the NHS, but not all of them are.
Each round of rabies cost me £60 and then the Malaria tablets cost me £35. The Malaria tablets I need to take 2 days before I travel, whilst I'm away and for 7 days when I'm back. MAKE SURE you take them even when you're back. Just because you're back, doesn't mean you're free from Malaria.
Overall for injections, I spent £215.
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Although, I did go into town the other day especially to get my money and I did forget that... Now struggling to find time to get the money. Ooops.
As each day goes by I'm getting more and more nervous for the flight. Overall I have 14 hours of travelling. I have an 11-12 hour flight to Johannesburg and then 1 hour stop and a further 1 hour flight to Phalaborwa and unfortunately I'm not the best flyer. But it's ok. I have packed many a Harry Potter book in my hand luggage.
Any information you need to know about the experience itself can be found on the website I provided above; however, I will be sure to post about my personal experience with PLENTY of photos and information when I get back.
TBC...
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