Fighting Fire With Fire in South Africa

Like getting your hands dirty? Fancy feeding a giraffe, handing out meat parcels to vultures, and then heading off to put out a raging bushfire on the African plains?

The Global Volunteer Network's South Africa program made it all happen for Chris Fong, a 23 year old engineer from Atlanta, Georgia, when in June 2006, he volunteered on a game conservation reserve for four weeks.

'My initial motivations were to get out and explore the world a little bit, and meet some people from different parts of the world that had different experiences and viewpoints on things. I had a co-worker of mine who was down there for a little bit, and he recommended that I check it out.'

His gamble paid off, and Chris was given an experience he won't soon forget.

He worked on an award-winning game conservation reserve located in the Gauteng Province, which is home to a dozen or more species of native African wildlife and over 150 species of birds. Because it is a conservancy, rather than a reservation, it receives little financial support from the government, so the help of volunteers is crucial to its success.

Volunteers are required to work hard, and are kept busy five days a week. They have a wide range of jobs, including feeding the parks animals such as the giraffe, zebra, and many other animals. Volunteers also participate in game management, including in-depth game assessment and anti-poaching practices, bird field studies, and collecting, transporting and distributing meat donations to the vultures, as well as any general handiwork around the park, such as fence repair and road maintenance.

Another job on the reserve, and perhaps the most important one, involves a combination of controlled fire-breaking, and fighting real fires. Brushfire is a crucial part of South Africa's eco-system, as it helps to rejuvenate the earth by burning dead matter, to prepare for new growth. But, as the country's population increases, and the wildlife becomes less migrant, controlled burning called fire breaking is now done, in order to make sure the burning process still occurs, without risk to life.

The South African bush fires can spread very quickly, destroying homes and taking lives of both animals and humans. Common causes include lightning, human carelessness and arson, and in fierce wind, fires in South Africa can move very fast. Lack of resources to fight the fires is a major problem, as there are no major voluntary firefighting organizations in South Africa, so fire control done by volunteers is a very important task.

'We actually had a real brushfire when I was there,' said Chris, 'and I was amazed at how fast the situation developed. We were just sitting around, hanging out, waiting to go to work, and we got news that there was an actual brushfire, and so we all just jumped in the cars, and drove over there, and within five minutes, the fire burned pretty much as far as you could see.'

Volunteers and locals attempt to put out the fires with a combination of water-filled backpacks, hoses and specially designed fire-beaters.

'We got it under control eventually, but it was really an eye-opening experience to see how fast, and how little time you have to react, and it gives you an appreciation for why the work we are doing there is so important. These fires get so out of control in such a big area…I'd never seen anything like that, so it was pretty incredible.'

Another of Chris's main jobs was to drive around and drop off the volunteers and other staff around the park.

'On the reserve, really there's no paved roads, just a bunch of dirt trails, so one of the main things I got to do was drive the old Land Rover around. I had a lot of fun with that. I don't have any kind of real off-road driving experience, I guess, but that was a really fun thing to do, even though the Land Rover did break down quite a bit.'

Volunteering provided Chris with the opportunity to step outside his comfort zone and experience a new way of life, all the while making a valuable contribution to South Africa's environment. But his trip was not without its challenges.

'The biggest challenge was being so far out of my normal element,' says Chris. 'When you work with people in the U.S, they have similar viewpoints…I'm an engineer, and I feel very comfortable in my job every day, so traveling half-way round the world to work with people I've never met before, and to do things I've never done before, that was the best part of the whole experience. But it was also the biggest challenge, because it was so different, so new, that I had to think on my feet while I was there.'

Volunteers have weekends to explore South Africa, which can range from exploring neighboring Kruger National Park to try and spot the 'big 5' (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino), to doing a wine tour, hiking in the mountains, or visiting a local beach.

Chris volunteered during South Africa's winter, which means sunny, crisp days averaging at about 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but very cold nights, dropping to freezing point. Winter provides a much more comfortable climate for those sensitive to the heat, as compared to an African summer.

'I got a kick out of that,' laughs Chris, 'because when I got back, everyone said 'wow, I thought you'd be a lot more tanned.'

South Africa is a unique country, as it is home to some of the world's most fascinating wildlife, but it also home to huge amounts of unemployment, poverty and crime, and some of the worst statistics in the world. Even though Apartheid, a system of racial segregation which discriminated against non-whites, was overthrown in 1994, South Africa is still suffering from the effects. According to Global Insight, 20.5 million black South Africans (56% of total black population) were living in poverty in 2003, compared with 190,000 white South Africans (4% of total white population). Also, according to the UN, unemployment has reached 40%. This figure is expected to rise, as the population increases, and yet the Gross National Profit (GNP) stays the same.

Chris and the other volunteers visited Soweto, a town next to South Africa's capital, Johannesburg, and were quick to discover that the country is not one big wildlife safari. Chris was about to undertake what he could only describe as 'an emotional rollercoaster'.

'One minute we were having beers and joking around with the locals at the popular bar, The Rock. The next minute, we were walking through a squatters' camp, where people live in shacks made of corrugated steel, scrap wood, and chicken wire,' said Chris.

Soweto is an urban area, mainly consisting of black South Africans, and is one of the poorest areas in Johannesburg. Problems in Soweto include high unemployment, overcrowding, and poor infrastructure, and only 20% of the houses can afford to have electricity.

Chris and the other volunteers had brought some supplies for some of the Soweto people, which they handed out door to door. A small gesture, but one which would no doubt have been greatly appreciated by the community, and given the volunteers an insight into life in an African slum.

'I was equally struck by the attitude of the people as I was by their living conditions,' Chris said. 'Nearly everyone we encountered had a smile on their face and seemed very upbeat about life. They were all very glad to see us and the kids were especially excited about the lolly-pops, pens, pencils, and notebooks that we bought for them. Many hugged us and wanted to pose with us for pictures.'

It is all to easy to simply stick to the tourist path in countries like South Africa, but Chris was able to visit the slums of Soweto, a city of three million, and really see what life is like for the poorest of poor.

Volunteering overseas is emerging as an exciting and rewarding way to travel, as volunteers are able to integrate with the communities they visit, and give back to the landscape and the community. Also, as any overseas volunteer will tell you, you are guaranteed a life changing experience, that would never be experienced simply by sticking to the tourist routes.

A highlight for Chris was getting to know the other volunteers, and really getting to make a difference, not to mention the South African people.

'We interfaced with a lot of people from South Africa, and they were all really friendly, and they seemed like they were really happy to have us there. We actually felt like we made a contribution.'

Chris is keen to advise others to volunteer, and stresses the need to make sure it happens.

'What I did was, I made the decision I wanted to go, and just bought a plane ticket and did it. The advice I'd give is that there are so many reasons to not do it, that if you let yourself just dwell on all the negatives, you'll never go.'

'I think a lot of people get too caught up in why they can't do it,' said Chris, 'and I'd say think about why you can, and why you should, and then just make it happen.'

For more information on volunteering check out: http://www.volunteer.org.nz/

For more great articles on volunteering check out: http://globalvolunteernetwork.blogspot.com/

© 2000-2007 Global Volunteer Network

About the Author

Julie Thompson is a media student who completed a journalism internship with Global Volunteer Network (GVN), an organisation that helps connect volunteers with communities in need.
http://www.volunteer.org.nz
Please ensure that all GVN content has an accreditation to the GVN website. You may not directly or indirectly change, edit, add to or produce summaries of the GVN content. A courtesy copy of your publication would be greatly appreciated.

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To Book a Tour or Go Solo? To book a tour or go solo?

At some point in our lives, most of us get the desire to travel, for some it’s when we are young, fresh out of school and full of confidence and ideas, for others it may be a mid to late life calling to leave behind the monotony of nine to five and see some of this beautiful world. We are not talking about a beach vacation here, but the desire to pack your sturdy backpack and set out on a roving journey through one or a number of less than first world countries.

So once we have this desire to travel the how to do it starts to play on our minds. Should you book a group tour or go solo and be independent? Hours of leafing through colourful brochures or browsing on line can leave you cross eyed and the large bold printed figures which indicate how much you have to pay may make travelling solo more enticing.

There are of course pros and cons for both styles of travel, but ultimately you have to decide which is best going to suit your travel needs and personality. We can offer this advice to make your choice easier.

Going Solo, Some food for thought:-

Safety – It’s always the ever lingering doubts about how safe are you going to be if you travel alone? Well in my view, travel safety always comes down to commonsense.  Basically if you make sensible choices in regards to your accommodation, your character socializing choices and keeping track of your money and location, you will not have much trouble with safety. And nowadays many, many people travel so no matter where you are you will most likely meet others to travel with and gather advice from about where to go and where to avoid. You will soon discover the back packers grape vine and no doubt hear about places to avoid and places not to miss, shading characters and fantastic local spots etc.

Freedom – Ultimately, if you travel alone you have complete freedom to move at your will and choose who you travel with. If you meet people on route and get along, you can team up and travel together. Quite often lifelong friends are made by travelling this way. Also you are not locked in to set dates and travel plans, if you absolutely love a place, then you are completely free to stay and vice versa if you hate a place. When I first travelled we had a mix of solo and planned tours and I personally at times loathed the idea of having to leave a place we loved just to meet a tour or catch a flight. Another good tip is open ended train, bus and plane tickets.....may cost a tad more but worth the added freedom it brings.

When booking an organised tour:-

So you have decided to join a tour, for whatever reason, the added safety, ease of travel, meeting likeminded travellers or the pure convenience. You should know that group tours do not always have to be dull. Here are some things you should look out for.

Small is beautiful – Look for a company that limits group sizes. It’s much better to have a small group than a big one. You will have a much better local experience, be closer to your guide and fellow travellers, and not get lost in the crowd. But you should also try and find out how many other people are booked,  because on the downside, if it’s just you and one other and you don’t get along....well then you are going to be stuck together for possibly a very long time, and at most times sharing rooms unless you opt for single accommodation at a cost. The ideal size for organised group travel is between four and 12 people.

Locally Operated – Try and find a tour company that uses local guides and amenities rather than foreign ones in the country(s) that you will be travelling. This way you will get a much better cultural experience and also your travel dollar will more likely go where it is needed, and not into a giant corporation pocket back in the western world.

Flexibility– Look for a company that has a degree of flexibility, in regards to their itineraries. For example optional activities for adventure seekers, Add On’s that allow you to see more of the country and opt out options on some activities you may not want to do like a museum tour or a rafting trip etc.

Down Time – Look for a tour that gives you a bit of free time and free days. You may just need a break from your travel pals, or just some time to explore on your own once your courage begins to bloom. Try and avoid a tour program that crams in lots of things and involves lots of travelling and long travel days in a row. You will get tired and cranky. Also make sure ample time is given to explore major sights and attractions. A well thought out program that explores the highlights as well as the local cultural will be much more enjoyable than a crammed coach ride around a country with the guide pointing sights out of the window as you wiz by or repeatedly pile out and back in the bus in your 15 minutes!

Hidden Costs
When booking a tour, always, always check out thoroughly what is and is not included in the price. Check companies against each other. Inclusions to look out for are meals, entrance fees and domestic flights. If these are not included it could end up costing you a lot more. You will be surprised at how many companies get away with looking cheaper but in the end work out more expensive for you with all the hidden extras.

The other big one is the LOCAL PAYMENT. An advertised price might look cheap but when you delve in you may find that you have to pay up to US$400 in local payment on arrival to your guide! Let me let you in on something here that local payment is probably the money used to run your entire trip in your destination country! Of course the travel agent you booked through takes a commission on the booking, and a well earned one at that after all they are doing you a service, but where is the rest of that money going? It is certainly not benefitting the local communities you will be travelling through.

One last thing to look at is the cancellation policy. If for any reason you change your mind, get sick or cannot attend the tour, how much do you stand to lose and will your insurance company reimburse you? Never ever travel uninsured!

Saving Money
Another good tip is to look for a tour you might like in the country you want to travel in one of the travel agents brochure, get an idea of what’s included and where the tour goes. Then look on line for a local agent in that country. Chances are that the international company producing the brochure uses a local agent to operate the tour at a third of the price that you will pay. So get on line, make contact with some local agents and get them to price the tour for you. On the down side you cannot always be guaranteed a good sized group from a local agent and the reputation may be questionable. That’s also where travel forums online come in handy, check around for people that have done a similar thing and ask for recommendations of locally based companies.

Mix and Match
If you still haven’t made up your mind, why not mix it up and try some independent travel and a booked tour. Get to your destination and take a look around yourself. Chances are that the city you’re in will have some sort of tourist information area. Here you will be sure to find a hive of local agents where you can cheaply book a short tour to get you initiated. Once you are comfortable with the county and a bit of the lingo, or have met a few likeminded travellers, then you will feel more confident to head off alone.

Another good idea is to book an airport pick up or make sure the travel company includes it and spend your first two nights in a pre booked Hotel. It’s always nice to know that you have somebody waiting to pick you up and a place to stay. Gives you time to settle and get a feel for your destination.

Regardless of whether you go solo or book a tour, I am sure you will have a fabulous time travelling, for nervous first timers a booked tour is probably the better option, make your choices well and before long you will be a travelling pro and have no qualms about slinging on your pack and exploring the world again and again!!!

Looking for a reputable local travel company?

http://www.dtoursoriginal.com

About the Author

Generally I love life, love travelling and love sharing my experiences with people form all over the world. Adventure and Local culture are my passions.

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