Meg’s Volunteering Adventure

It's time for me to give back to this wonderful planet of ours and head off on an exciting volunteering adventure! This winter (English summer) I am heading to 3 different locations to volunteer my time helping three very different, very rewarding causes.

The first being in Sri Lanka rehabilitating and protecting at-risk sea turtles, the project is located near a fishing town and often turtles get caught up in the nets, losing limbs in the process. Three of the five species I will be working with (Hawksbill, Olive Ridley and the Leatherback) are critically endangered and on the brink of extinction due to hunting and other human activity. This project provides daily care and rehabilitation with the aim to release the turtles safely back into the wild as well as protecting the eggs. On top of this I will be participating in mass beach cleaning projects.

My second stop will be to a South African wildlife reserve, rehabilitating and releasing endangered species including lions, Bengal tigers and cheetahs. The Bengal tiger population is deteriorating at an astonishing rate, over the last 100 years they have gone from hundreds of thousands in the wild to less than 2500! I will be learning more about conservation management and the consideration of effects on a managed eco-system. I will also be taking part in anti-poaching patrols and the planting and cultivating of indigenous plants.

My final stop on this exciting tour will be to the Masai Tribe in Kenya. Here I can participate in a number of projects while also educating myself on their culture from building new, accessible building for them to teaching English to the children there will always be something to keep me busy and making a difference. The main aim of this programme is to find sustainable ways to maintain the tribe's community and traditions. Apparently some of the families ask each of their volunteers how many goats they have at home! This experience will take me back to the very basic essentials in life and I will have very little in the way of "home comforts", fully immersing myself in this opportunity.

To sum up, I am just trying to do my bit to make a difference on this beautiful planet and I would greatly appreciate any and all donations that can be spared to help towards this exciting adventure. I will be heading off around early July and will be away for 3 months, give or take. I have deducted all personal leisure expenses so that the end goal of this fundraising is solely going towards my volunteer work.

Thank you!

Meg x