One Girls Journey to Make A Difference! Animal Conservation!

Sarah Roberts Start Date: Nov 8, 2016 - End Date: Mar 7, 2017
  • Namibia
  • South Africa
  • Madagascar

My Travel Story

by: Sarah Roberts Start Date: Nov 8, 2016 - End Date: Mar 7, 2017
I am 33 years old and have spent the majority of my working life, so far, in careers that pay the bills but do not bring me any satisfaction. I have always had a passion for animals and their welfare, yet the idea of commiting my life to this, for some reason, never crossed my mind. Until recently. 

When I went to South Africa a few years ago as a volunteer at Shamwari game reserve, the time I spent there got into my blood. Caring for the animals, learning about them and promoting their welfare and conservation felt like that part of me I have been missing all these years. When I came back to England, I felt empty again, up until I started volunteering at my local wildlife park earlier this year. It was then that I knew, more than anything, I wanted to return to Africa and make a difference. I wanted to give my time to a cause that mattered to me. I wanted to wake up every morning excited about what the day had in store and go to bed at night exhausted but elated about what I had achieved or the diference I had made to an animals life.

So, as of February 2017, I am leaving my job and I will be back in Africa. My plan is to start in Namibia where I am spending some time volunteering at a wild animal rescue centre and then out in the field researching and monitoring engendered animals. I will also be undertaking community projects to help the local people with human/animal conflict. I am then going on to South Africa where I am volunteering with a big cat charity. I will be caring for the animals and trying to rehabilitate them after years of neglect and mistreatment. I will also be taking visitors around the reserve to promote conservation, knowledge and awareness.  I am finishing in Madagascar where I will be working with lemurs and the local people to promote conversation in an effort to protect these amazing primates – the most engendered on the planet. I will also be undertaking community work to help grow new forests and build relationships between the Malagasy people and the wonderful and unique animals they have living in their country.

This is more than just an volunteer experience to me, this is my dream and I want to do all I can to make a difference and use my time to give to a cause I am so passionate about. I am contributing £5,000 of my own money to this and I would be so grateful for anything anyone is willing to put towards it. I will also be using funds to put towards causes whilst I am in Africa, such as education awareness, building animal enclosures whilst they are being rehabilitated and research.

Thank you so much for reading.
  • Namibia
  • South Africa
  • Madagascar