Today we are interviewing Michael, our Building Project Coordinator! Michael is always full of laughs and never afraid to get his hands dirty. Here is a bit more about him…

What is your favourite thing about your job?

I love teaching the volunteers how to work like a Swazi! Its fun watching them learn our traditional building techniques, and watch a structure come up.

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

In 2010 I said “wow” when a volunteer took interest in a special water system project I was developing. The volunteer raised a donation to complete the entire project! What a success!

Where is your favourite local hang out?

I love spending time with the volunteers at Lidwala, the lodge where the volunteers stay. It has such a relaxing vibe and is a great place to chat and learn about our different cultures ( or nap in the hammocks

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

When I’m not out in the field building things, I love playing soccer. If i’m lucky I even get to play with a few local legends!

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

I love working with the different volunteers. Not many people can say they have friends from all over the world!

If you had a super power what would it be?

I would be a hip-hop star. I can’t sing, so I would want to ability to rap in front of large crowds of people.

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

Building of course! You can actually see how you are contributing to the communities for years to come!

Today we are highlighting Behlule our Assistant Sports Coordinator! Behlule has been a part of the AOA family for FIVE YEARS! His energy on the field, in the office and in the dance circle is outstanding- here is more about him!

What is your favourite thing about your job?

I am lucky that I do what I love the most, SPORTS!  I also love the fact that I can help develop young kids with fundamental life skills, through sports. Its awesome.

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

The first time I organised a soccer tournament that had over 300 kids playing in one day! I realised I love what I do and seeing the smiles on the faces of these kids was so awesome.

There is also an “adventure” part of my job, that is so much refreshing!

Where is your favourite local hang out?

The National Football Association Technical Centre! I spend most of my time here, as it’s the place with all the things and equipment I love to use!

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

Watching football on TV and reading novels. I love to read and watch football as it helps me develop my coaching skills.

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

I look forward to changing lives and bringing smiles to the kids we work with. Also, to have fun and discover new ideas through working with our volunteers from all over the globe.

If you had a super power what would it be?

I would love to have the power to read people’s minds….

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

Kruger to Cape! It’s a lovely package deal and offers way more in terms of social work AND adventure! And obviously… I would also book to volunteer with the Sports Development program

Today we are highlighting Eunice our NCP coordinator, AKA known as “mama” to our volunteers each month. Eunice joined our team a year ago, and has quickly become a part of the All Out Africa family – there is not a day that goes by without a good laugh in our office with her!

What is your favourite thing about your job?

I love being able to help someone who is less fortunate than me, especially when it is a child. Being able to do this everyday, really makes me feel so good.

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

It was fairly early on in my employment by AOA. A volunteer wanted to help one of our vulnerable children, who was also suffering from lack of hearing. I was able to assist him, by organising the donation for a hearing aid for the 8 year old boy. This donation was a HUGE life changer for the child, and enabled him to start school. He is doing so well in school now!

Where is your favourite local hang out?

My two children ( aged 8 & 9 years), LOVE ice cream from KFC. I find myself spending a lot of my time there with them.

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

When I’m not at work, i’m cooking my signature, and world famous chilli sauce! I sell this sauce to my community, my colleagues and anyone I meet (it’s spicy!)

When i’m not in the kitchen, I enjoy “chilling” at home. Relaxing with your family is always rewarding.

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

I look forward to leading by example. Each day I try to be the best I can be, so each month the volunteers have a great experience!

If you had a super power what would it be?

If I could have a super power, I would choose to be able to be in different places at the same time. There is so much to do and see!

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

If I were a volunteer I would do the Marine Research & Whale Shark Conservation project. I grew up swimming and I would love to go scuba diving! It would be so cool to see the depth of the ocean!

I find myself wondering what I achieved whilst I was here and what I loved the most. Love the most is easy, All Out Africa is a family of people who are passionate about what they do and care for one another. I feel like I’m leaving my brothers and sisters behind, but I know that we’ve all grown, shared and learnt so much together that I’m leaving behind very confident, happy and inspiring people who will continue ensuring the passion and vibe of All Out Africa remain.

And the people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the last few years have given me some of the answers about what I’m most proud of! People have commented about how professional All Out is and how they trust us with their clients, and how genuine our projects are and that their clients (our volunteers) are really making a difference as well as learning a lot about themselves and the world. Everyone has something to contribute and to learn – All Out Africa facilitates this exchange and growth and I personally hope creates a greater understanding and empathy for each other as humans.

This year All Out Africa also won an award at the WTM Responsible Travel Awards and came second at the World Youth and Student Travel Conference – demonstrating the value of our conservation projects. It was a proud moment for me to stand on stage and collect the award on behalf of the team! We know how good our work is and it was great to finally start to get recognition from external bodies.

One of my last duties before my departure was to chair a meeting regarding strategy for our Neighbourhood Care Points in Eswatini, and at this meeting I realized how much in the last two years we’d achieved. We now have a NCP Coordinator who is supporting and providing much needed training to the teachers as well as having a curriculum type document which outlines schemes of work for the teachers. The impact has been that vulnerable children in our local communities are receiving pre-school education which is enabling them to get into Primary School, the teachers are confident and motivated in their teaching role, and our unskilled volunteers are able to contribute given there is a structure in place that they can follow.

Tomorrow is my leaving party and I’m amazed at how many people are invited – obviously all the amazing All Out Africa team, but also the other people that I’ve worked with such as the Skyworld drivers who carry our volunteers and staff safely to/from OR Tambo, Dr Frew from the nearby Medical Centre who keeps our volunteers healthy, the amazing women who teach our children, and the team at Lidwala Lodge who feed and accommodate our volunteers. Saying goodbye will be hard but I know these people will have a place in my heart forever.

Here are some pics of the farewell party!

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!