Danielle Redding has fallen in love with the people of South Africa. The Aberglasslyn 18-year-old spent five weeks volunteering with Tshega Christian Missions at The Lighthouse Academy for boys and girls and she cannot wait to return.
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And if the thank you letters and farewell cards are an indication, South Africa’s people also fell in love with Ms Redding.
Instead of celebrating the end of year 12 with a traditional schoolies vacation, Ms Redding saved her money to travel to Limpopo Province because she wanted to experience life in a third world location.
“This trip was more than I expected,” she said.
“At first I decided to go because I wanted to travel but then I realised I was about to experience what it is like to have very little.
“Everything is at my fingertips at home and I now realise how lucky I am.”
Before setting off, Ms Redding fundraised to send eight boxes filled with 150 stationary packs for villagers who were so welcoming to her.
Each pack contained colouring books, pencils, pens, soccer boots, balls, soccer strips, clothes, hygiene packs and hats, much of which had been donated for Ms Redding’s mission.
The former Hunter Sports High School student, now a childcare trainee, was the only Hunter Valley woman among the Australians who travelled to Limpopo.
The daily schedule included volunteering at a school with 300 students where Ms Redding taught English to children in year 1.
“They were so welcoming to me, they enjoyed the attention I gave them and they appreciated all I did for them, jumping up and down when they saw us and so willing to learn.”
She also spent time at a disability centre for children where she taught them to play games and kick a ball.
On her last day there, Ms Redding presented children with hand-held windmills.
“The children ran laps holding onto the spinning windmills.
“It was amazing to see them with a gift so small but meant so much to them.”
Then there was a visit to a vulnerable children’s project, which was “confronting”.
“I spent time visiting villagers and there was a mother with nine children and a grandmother living in a two room house.
“One room was for cooking the other for sleeping.
“There was one double bed and the rest of the children slept on a blanket on the floor. This family was so happy with so little.
“It was hard to take in and made me realise life is great for me. I appreciated the little things at home, even toilet paper.”
Ms Redding’s heart went to three month old twins Succeed and Pleasure who are sponsored by her parents.
“While I was there I went shopping for the twins and bought clothes, a cot and I brought back their hand prints.
“I also sponsor a baby, Kenny, and for $25 a month he gets a supply of milk, nappies and food.”
Another highlight of her visit was to see South Africa’s big five – lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhinoceros along with giraffe, wild dogs, monkeys, baboons and white rhinos.
“We saw some amazing sights, had an elephant ride, cheetah walk, lion walk, I kissed a hippo.
“I jumped off a cliff and did a 68- metre free fall.”
With her hair still in braids from her South African adventure, Ms Redding reflected on what it meant to her.
“I do not need everything I have at home,” she said.
“I used to be obsessed with collecting soccer boots and keepers gloves but I realise I don’t need all those things.
“This was such an important thing for me to do. I had to see it, it is easy to look at pictures or watch a movie, but to be there means I understand how other people live.”
But Ms Redding will not be out of Africa for long and is already planning her next visit.
“My goal is to work with special needs children in primary school here then travel and live in South Africa for a year.
“I will go back for two weeks in July next year and I hope to take my older sister with me.”