This is Africa

As I packed my bags in the early hours of the morning after a fun night at Montecasino in Johannesburg, I realized that I was not going home, but rather, leaving my home. 

A small farm in Hartbeespoort called Glen Afric (GA) had become home to me in the short span of 3 weeks that I volunteered in South Africa. It’s been more than 3 months since I returned to Manila, and not a day has passed that I haven’t thought of South Africa, the people in GA, the animals and the volunteers. This entry will be a narration of my experiences in GA, the big and small things and everything in between.

QUARANTINE

Is what the volunteers’ quarters are called. There's an electric fence all around the area to keep the humans and animals safe. Inside the quarantine area is where the horses and donkeys (who are extremely noisy!) are kept, as well as Pickles, a very very adorable pitbull.

Pickles basking in the sun

Donkey Selfie

We also have a common area where we're usually given our assignments for the day. The worn down sofas, table and pillows easily grew on me after a few days and nights spent there.

I shared a room with Diana from the US (who came at the same time I did, which caused people to think we came together) and 2 girls from Sweden, Linda and Jennie. We had a small but cozy room, especially with our heated blankets. It was also a good area (well, depends on how you look at it) since it was near the common area and we could hear all the gossip and chitchat from our fellow volunteers at night ;)

Roomies: Me, Diana, Jennie, Linda

Our Room

My Little Nook :)

DAY-TO-DAY

A normal day in GA would be waking up at around 7 am, and being ready to either clean the horse stables or the elephant house by 7:30. I don't know why, but I actually liked cleaning the stables and feeding the horses. Being around horses in that way was also a new experience, just because it's such a rare thing for someone like me.

Granny, my favorite!

If you are one of the (un)lucky ones, you’ll get to join the Perimeter Check—basically walk around the whole farm (up and down 3 hills) to check if there are holes or traps in the fence. You can also sign up for an elephant walk, and get to walk with Three, Hannah and Marty. This is probably one of the most calming things I did during my stay there.

Perimeter Walk...

...or Elephant Walk? :)

At around 9 am we go and get breakfast. The usual lineup includes cereal, bread, peanut butter and jam, but once a week we do get bacon and eggs. We also get to eat al fresco and bask under the sun—something I, from a tropical country, initially did not understand (who would eat under the hot sun??). But I soon realized that it was so nice being warm like that because of the cold weather.

We gather into groups and get assigned different tasks from 10am-12nn. This ranges from getting a chance to take pictures with Bailey the 3-legged cheetah, to painting fences, to digging holes for the different animals.

I was admittedly a bit scared, haha.

Cleaning 

Digging

We then get a 2-hour lunch break, then get back to work again until around 5pm. Dinner time is at 6pm, and drinks often come after at the bar or at the common area.

The Famous Brave Ball

THE CUBS AND OTHER FARM ANIMALS

We were very lucky to have gone during a time when GA had 3 6-week-old cubs namely Sahara, Savuti and Serabi. They were given to the farm and the staff didn't really want to know where they came from. To say that they were cute is a complete understatement.

Savuti, Serabi and Sahara (L-R)

Sahara is the biggest one and most aggressive/playful of the three. Savuti is usually quiet and has a big scar on her face because of Sahara (although she has completely healed by now). Serabi, my favorite, is the smallest and most endearing.

Once or twice a week, we were given a chance to feed them. During my 3-week stay, I was able to see their transition from just drinking milk to eating pieces of meat mixed with milk.

Little Serabi With Meat & Milk on her Nose!

I still see pictures of them in my Facebook feed from time to time, and they're huge. They really grow up so fast! Well, too fast. A few more months and volunteers probably won't be able to go near them. But--some very good news--Sheba, one of the lionesses in the farm, just gave birth to 3 little cubs last week! Here's a picture one of my co-volunteers uploaded:

JUST ADORABLE.

Of course there are also other animals in Glen Afric aside from those I've mentioned. Here are some of them:

Isabella (Sadly, she was poached one week after I left)

The Ostriches

Jack, the Friendly Zebra

Roxy the Cute Hyena

The Scary Hippo Family

The Tigers

The Monkey Thieves

ROLEX!

Boris the White Lion

The Piggies

The Mischievous Mongoose

The Warthogs

What's a Farm Without Cows?

The Herds of Wildebeest

The Elegant Giraffes

Charles the Kudu

NIGHT DRIVES

Every Wednesday night, volunteers get to treat themselves to a night drive. We gather around a bonfire and eat-drink-talk-laugh-dance the night away. These were always fun and memorable nights. :)

Hello Noga!

Fireee

Jon Giving Massages

FREE DAYS

On Thursdays and Sundays, we get free days. We can stay in the farm or sign up for an activity. I was able to visit the Cradle of Humankind, Sterkfontein Caves, Ukutula Lion Park, Lesedi Cultural Village, Chameleon Village and the Vusalela Day Spa. Yes, we went to the spa in South Africa during my last week there. Some snapshots: 

Enjoying our Spa Robes

Vusalela Day Spa

Chameleon Village, a.k.a. Tiangge

Lesedi Cultural Village

The Museum

Yep.

NEW FRIENDS

I was definitely out of my comfort zone with all the different people and different cultures, but I loved watching and listening to everyone—how different and same we all were. It expanded my world and opened me to new things and ideas, and it somehow reminded me of my place in the universe. Going to South Africa and doing volunteer work was something new for all of us, and it is always reassuring to know how other people are kinda feeling and experiencing the same things that you are. It's surprising that I found more things in common with the other volunteers there than with my close friends in the Philippines.

I miss these guys! Ivo, Flo, Diana, Amandine, Jon.

Diana, Aurelia, Niek.

Me & Anna!

Loki Photobombing Me & Diana

Cosmos <3

Elaine, Amandine, Jon and Me

People close to me are probably so tired of hearing about this trip, and how happy I was in South Africa. I was with nature and with animals--two of the things I hold most dear in my heart. It's weird--when I came back, I felt so incomplete because I left a big part of me in GA, but I felt more whole and alive. It really was life changing, and I am so so so glad that I went on this trip. xx