The background to this trip is that i quit my job as a banker a couple of months ago after having worked pretty long hours for almost 4 years. I decided i wanted to take some time out to travel and do volunteer work. Africa was the obvious choice for me; i went for East and Southern Africa as I've never been to that part of the continent (I'm West African and have lived in a few countries in that region)
Today I'm heading out to my first destination: Zanzibar, where I'll be staying for a month. After months of planning and waiting, the day is finally here! ~*(^_^)*~The last couple of weeks have been filled with mixed feelings of anxiety and excitement as well as sadness - saying bye to friends and family always inspires some sadness. But that has now been replaced with the excitement and intrigue of what lies ahead in the next 7 months
I've signed up with two voluntourism organisations : African Impact and the International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ) for the various projects that I'll be working on. I have no prior experience in volunteer work so my expectations are pretty imaginary at this stage. They both seemed well organised and have been very helpful in the planning stages so hopefully that extends to the way things are run on the ground
In Zanzibar, i will be staying in a small town called Jambiani, located on the south eastern part of the island; i will be teaching 5 -7 year olds English, helping with community work (renovating communal facilities and homes) and also giving advice on business matters where needed (that banking experience will not go to waste after all)
I'm all packed (well as packed as can be; as I've been asked by a few people: how does one pack for a 7 month trip?). Think i have everything i need for now...i do have the tendency to take too much on trips so i might run into some trouble at the airport with that; trying to avoid it though. The flight to Dar es Salaam is 9hrs 40 mins after which I'll be transiting for 8 hours to catch a...wait for this...30 minute flight to Zanzibar. Guess i really didn't think that one through...In any case I'm arming myself with a good book: i started Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and i think that ought to help while away some of the time in transit. Also figured i ought to give that Lonely Planet guide i invested in a gander and highlight some must-do activities
So people, wish me luck and safe travels; I'll be in touch once I'm all settled in, hopefully with some good stories
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