Meet The Team – Ginger

At All Out Africa, there are many things that set us apart. One of them is our fantastic team! That’s why we decided it was time to sit down with our staff and have them answer a few fun questions about why they love what they do!

Today we are highlighting Ginger our Marketing coordinator, working in our Swaziland head office. Ginger is originally from the USA, and has been calling Swaziland home for the last 7 years!

What is your favourite thing about your job?

Being a volunteer myself, in the past, changed my life forever. My favourite thing about my job is talking to perspective volunteers who are in search of an adventure in their lives too.

I remember how nervous I was the first time I traveled abroad, and how when I returned home after my first trip, how I couldn’t wait to do it again. I love that I get to share that experience with people everyday.

When was a time you thought to yourself “wow, I love what I do!”

The first time I thought to myself, ‘I love what I do’, was the first time I visited our Mozambique location. I was preparing to check my emails, as I settled into a hammock, with an ocean view in front of me and a breeze flowing through the office, which is really more like a beach-front tree house than an “office”. I actually laughed out loud, thinking to myself this can’t be considered “work”.

Later that day I was able to go on an ocean safari with the Researcher Volunteers and track wildlife sightings with the team. 5 minutes into our journey, a huge humpback whale jumped completely out of the water a few meters away from our boat. It was astonishing. I thought about what a cool experience this program was for our volunteers to take with them, and how lucky was I that I can call this “just another day at the office”!

Where is your favourite local hang out?

The Lupholo Dam. When I was still new in Swaziland, our friends use to hang out all summer at this Dam. They would bring their boats, and Jet Ski’s and we would spend all day on the water enjoying summer. Being from Michigan (the great lake state), I learnt to swim before I walked- This dam reminded me of home and now I’m so happy that in a few months we will have built our house on the dam, so I can spend every day of every season here!

When you’re not changing the world, what do you do for fun?

I garden! I love spending all day in my garden, planting new things, watching seeds grow, discovering new little sprouts! It’s the perfect and rewarding way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

When you wake up in the morning what do you look forward to most?

I look forward to the unpredictable moments. In most offices, worldwide, a job is the same thing day after day. At our office, no two days are alike. You never know what’s going to pop up in your email, or when a volunteer will wander into the office with a sponsorship idea, or donation.

If you had a super power what would it be?

If I could have any super power it would be to blink and be anywhere in the world. There are so many places to see!

If you were a volunteer with AOA, what program or tour would you sign up for? (and why?)

I would sign up for the Kruger to Cape project. I have traveled several places in my lifetime, but if I had know there was an all inclusive trip that would take me to 3 countries in 8 weeks and included awesome excursions throughout the trip, I would’ve leapt at the opportunity! Even now, and even though I have been to all of the places Kruger to Cape take you; I would be excited to join the tour. Bungee jumping, quad biking, ocean safaris, the garden route, a camping safari and volunteer (among other perks!)… It’s the perfect vacation for anyone who doesn’t like to sit still when they travel!