As I browse through the Linkedin app, I began reading, congratulations messages from my connections and it registered late that this month is my official 3rd anniversary working for All Out Africa. A big thanks to all of you who sent me a quick note, I appreciate all of the kind words.

I started reflecting on my experience working at All Out Africa, and I realized how my work anniversary is a bigger deal to me than I thought. I remember my first day at work as a photography intern, my heart was beating, pulse racing, nerves ticking as I entered the threshold of what would be my workplace the next three years. 2018 to be precise, I was young and full of great expectations. I worked very hard that year and to my surprise, I was promoted to be a Marketing Assistant and Team Leader. I was assigned to create content for All Out Africa and do other marketing tasks under the supervision of Ginger Green who was the Marketing Coordinator then.

Simise with volunteers planting a tree during World Environment Day

During my experience at All Out Africa, I have learned that progress does not stand still and living within your purpose is not easy but it is all worth it. I am thankful that the company provided me with opportunities for self-development. So, my everyday advice is to use every opportunity to do your work to the best of your ability and choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Before I drop the microphone I would like to thank the All Out Africa Team, Ginger, all the international volunteers who contributed immensely to my career and lastly I will forever be grateful to Kim and Robs Roques as they have given me the head start towards my career.

I thank you.

Written by Simise Masilela, Marketing and Donations Coordinator 

Where are you from?

Hi, there! My name is Daphne, I am 23 years old and from the Netherlands.

What project did you sign up for?

I signed up for the 6 week Kruger to Coast project and chose Childcare as my voluntary work. My role was to assist the NCP teacher, educate children between 3 to 5 years of age and concentrate on the language, motor, basic academic and social skills of a child in order to prepare them for primary school. In the afternoons, we had the Homework Clubs with older children, most of them are NCP graduates, from the ages of 12 to 17. We helped them with their homework and if they did not have any, we would played mind games.

What do you do for a living?

Actually, I obtained my Master of Science degree in Marketing Management the Friday before I started the program. At this moment, I am looking for a job.

What does volunteering mean to you?

In my opinion, volunteering means giving something back to a world where there cannot be enough help. In my case, this world was the local community of where my NCP was in. I managed to give something back to the local community in a sense that I helped the kids in writing and learning small English phrases. Afterwards, I never expected that volunteering would mean that much to me. It is impossible to describe the feeling you get when you manage to get a smile on the kids’ faces, or when they – after a couple of times of trying – write a certain word correctly.

Click here if you would like to know more about our Childcare (Eswatini)

Today we are highlighting Ginger our Marketing coordinator, working in our Eswatini head office. Ginger is originally from the USA, and has been calling Eswatini 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 Eswatini, 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!