Story
Over the last three years while I have been studying AAT accountancy I seem to have lost sight of what I truly believe in and what I actually feel passionate about. I have two mottos in life; never have regrets - I would rather try it and fail or not like it that regret never having tried, and to make a difference - if I can help make one persons life that little bit better and allow them the opportunities they deserve as a human being then I will be satisfied for that.
A friend of mine went to Cape Town to help set up Baphumelele Children's Home in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, when it first started over 10 years ago and has stayed in touch with Rosie, the incredible lady who has started this project from scratch. She began by looking after a few children as opposed to them running the streets all day & night because they were either orphaned or parents out working at all hours. It has since progressed to her looking after more than 160 children aged 0-19, runs a woodwork shop, a bakery, a soup kitchen to provide food to the local community and a vegetable plot. The idea is to teach the younger children so they can go to school and the older children a skill which they can use and ultimately be employable. Please look at the website http://www.baphumelele.org.za/ and their community website http://www.kctrust.org/
I just think it is amazing what has been achieved and if I can be a part of it in just a very small way then I will be the privileged one.
My goal is to become a developmental aid worker. I don't want to change people's lives to the way I would want to live, I just want to do what I can to help those who are seriously under privileged to have a chance at proving their potential in the world. The only problem with deciding on this career path is that it is one of the hardest industries to get into - the vicious circle of "only hired with experience" and of course you can only get experience through being employed. I tried to have a good think about how I get my foot in the door and whittled down the options I had which led me to volunteering (which I said many years ago I would like to do) and then after speaking to people it turns out there is a connection to this fascinating organisation in Cape Town.
On the back of this, I have just signed up to take part in the Mongolia Charity Rally 2013 http://mongolia.charityrallies.org/ which is a 10000 mile drive from London to Mongolia in a vehicle which will be donated for the use of Mongolia's flag ship ambulance service or to the people who need a 4x4 ie farmers and work men. The intention would be for this vehicle to be donated to me so I can then pay it forward.
I will be hoping to raise money for the Baphumelele Children's Home (where I am going) and Warwickshire Air Ambulance (where I am from) and also £1000 for GO HELP (the charity organising the rally). Of course the main issue with this is that I am funding it all .... eek!! So after potentially 9 months of volunteer work not earning a penny and paying for my expenses, I am then embarking on this! Crazy I am sure but life changing is a definite.
I will be selling advertising space on the vehicle as well as holding fundraising events, hosting a website, producing flyers with sponsors advertised, keeping social media updates and staying in touch with the local press (please see initial releases in photo collection!).
I am hoping to raise at least £5000 in total - this far exceeds all single fundraising challenges I have set for myself before (having raised over £6000 throughout the years for ARC) so I am very nervous!
This is the first thing in my life I am actually elated about - I won't just be in an office, I will be making a difference! So pleased I have this opportunity, I just hope the visa works out ... !
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