People should volunteer with Vocational Impact because it is the most life-changing and rewarding experience they will ever have. If you enjoy working with children and helping others who deserve so much, then you will love working at their foundation partners in South Africa. The workers are so incredibly welcoming and immediately make you feel at home and you are able to get first-hand experience of working with abused children that you would never be able to get anywhere else.

The experience was utterly life-changing. I cannot believe the awful situations some of these children have experienced and yet they are the most positive, well-behaved, beautiful children you have ever seen. It’s so easy to get caught up in your own life, but now I can always think back to those kids and the women who work to help them and immediately I remember how they are and what they have done and I no longer feel like I should be caught up in my own life. I feel like I have a new sense of purpose and hope that I can help children in any way I can.

The team in South Africa worked so hard to achieve results. Whilst being there, it was clear that the work they do is needed within the community and beyond. The organisation seems to be under pressure due to the high crime rate, but things are always dealt with in an appropriate way. People turn to the organisation I volunteered with when in crisis and everyone seems to have a high respect for the organisation.

I participated in cases, hospital visits, school visits and police visits. I have enjoyed seeing different locations and comparing them with each other. I also like that most days are different and you don’t tend to do the same thing each day. It was such an incredible experience for me, I got to see and learn about how others live and how cultures differ.

“Visiting the courts was pretty incredible. All of the pretty difficult stuff was made better by having Mildred with us. Being given access to the front seat in the court was such an experience. They’re quite small so you’re right in the middle of it.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this experience has been life-changing. The people and the compassion they all show in confronting really distressing situations has been incredible to see. Though there is so much abuse going on and constant cases, I have felt inspired seeing how the organisation tackles them, rather than being overwhelmed or depressed by it all. I would really like to come back again as I think it is making an extraordinary difference.”