Caro
I am 19 years old and I have passed my high school exams last year. Actually I have visited a specialized design high school, but in my last years of school I developed more interest in Africa and social work and move away myself from design.
After my exams, I planned to go to an African country for a longer period and to work there in a social project. I wanted to be part of a social project supporting the poor and disadvantaged. I did a lot of research on the internet and attended many specialized lectures to find a suitable organization.
But at last a friend of mine made me aware of the Leka Gape organization. Then I did some internet research on Leka Gape and once I was convinced, I applied for an internship at Leka Gape and was accepted. When I was flying to South Africa, I had completely different expectations about the living conditions in Lulekani. For that reason
I was really surprised when I noticed that the volunteers are living in a lodge with running water. In the beginning it was very difficult for me to get used to everything.
But when I found my role within the organization, I recognized that we have the opportunity to do everything, if we are motivated and really want to change something.
Now I am responsible for many different areas, e.g. Food and Health Management and I work in an external project for disabled people. Besides that I have organized the Christmas party for the children and women in the Shelter and currently I renovating the Shelter with donations that I have collected previously in Germany.
I am planning to study international social work and hope that I can benefit from the knowledge and experience that I have gained in the nine months here.
I really enjoy my time here and have managed to set up an almost completely different life. I put all my efforts into my work and try to use the time most effectively, because at the end I want to be able to say: I have achieved something!