2023/2024 winners reports
Ella Speirs
Dear Mr. Mason,
I have just finished my six months of travels and am currently taking the time to reflect on all I have had the opportunity to see and do. From my African adventures in Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa, to exploring Sri Lanka, India and Nepal in Central Asia, my horizons have been broadened beyond measure. I have understood the value of how far something as simple as a smile can go in foreign countries where we may not share the same language or upbringing, and how kind people can be to teach you about their culture and local ways of living.
Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa had some of the kindest communities that I got the chance to witness throughout my travels. From welcoming us into their homes to offering to teach us how to make fufu, a local Ghanian delicacy, it was so comforting to feel welcomed in places that originally felt so far from home. It was a big culture shock for me, as it was the start of my travels and my first time away from home. As daunting as it was, the goodbye was absolutely the hardest part and no sooner had I arrived, I was warmly welcomed and thrown into volunteering at local schools teaching English in Ghana, observing Tanzanian hospitals and completing conservation work in South Africa. The smiles on the children’s faces are something I’ll never forget, as they were overjoyed to answer any questions I threw at them. The landscapes I saw in Africa, being a geographer myself, were so different to anything I was used to seeing at home: from the flat planes of the Ngorongoro Crater, to the Zanzibar sandy beaches and the Capetonian sunsets. All three countries are now permanently on my list to travel back to one day, as I could explore them forever and still have things to see!
Onto the latter half of my gap year, I jumped continent to Asia. Having previously lived in China and Hong Kong for 5 years, I was unsure of what Central Asia would hold and I could not have been more blown away by the unique culture that was waiting for me. I started in Sri Lanka, a small island with such diverse environments, it really has something for everyone. A coastline filled with tropical beaches as well as the temples and hills to be explored by the famous trains and tuktuks. I volunteered at a turtle conservation sanctuary where I got to learn about how they rescue endangered turtles and help protect the hatching turtles from poachers. We witnessed one turtle being set free, after its rehabilitation period at the sanctuary and even did a baby turtle release. Following on from this, I volunteered at a dog rescue, a prominent issue in Sri Lanka with so many stray dogs in need of care. We helped clean the kennels, feed the dogs as well as wash and remove the ticks from them. Being such a dog-lover, it was very sad to see so many dogs in such critical conditions but it was heart-warming knowing we did all we could as volunteers.
Moving onto the mainland, I was originally daunted by my plans to volunteer in India due to the preconceived ideas people often have about the country. I was so relieved the moment I landed in Delhi at 4am and was greeted by such lovely coordinators from the programme. It exceeded all of my expectations and allowed me to view the country in such a different light, something I hope to share with others and work towards breaking down that barrier that causes so many to avoid India. Despite the chaos, cows and poor air quality, it is also home to such diverse temples, forts and of course the magnificent Taj Mahal that blew me away more than words can describe. It is also the home to magical coastlines where we explored Goa, a little coastal oasis away from the pollution. As for the volunteering, staying directly next to the slums outside of Delhi was one of the most immersive and eye-opening experiences. The school was definitely one of the more unfortunate ones I saw in my six months but that did not take away from the pure joy and the contagious laughs that emerged from that one classroom. A mix of ages provided us with a chaotic teaching day, but nothing a water balloon fight couldn’t solve! At the medical project, we went to a wide range of slums around the area, providing basic medical care that they otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to receive. From learning how to take blood pressure, to understanding the blood sugar levels, it was so special to be able to use what basic Hindi we had learnt to communicate and engage with the locals about their health and wellbeing. I saw more than I ever thought I would see and ate things I never thought I’d eat but I absolutely loved the thrill and excitement of India and all it had to offer.
Nepal was the final stop on my trip and its buzzing capital had the most surreal contrast in landscape as the Himalayas could be seen from everywhere you looked. I was lucky enough to volunteer at a Buddhist monastery just outside of Kathmandu where the monks greeted us with the kindest smiles and such a warm welcome. I was surprised at how much influence the monasteries had from Tibet, and learnt so much about their way of living and religious views. Participating in the 6am morning prayer and 5pm evening prayer was such a highlight as it gave me the most unique insight into their daily routine and an opportunity to really disconnect from the outside world. During our lessons, the monks had such open mindsets, and really paid attention and always wanted to try their best. The stark contrast of the monastery to anything I had ever experienced was what made it so enjoyable and impressive. Although rice twice a day did start to take a toll on my appetite, it was all part of the experience and made it that much more rewarding coming back to the comforts of home. It really goes to show that you grow the most when you are outside your comfort zone, and that only inspires me to push myself even more. The kindness that the principle monk showed us at the monastery was beautiful. He not only cooked for us late at night when we were lesson planning, but explained Buddhism to us in such great depth and with such an open heart. My time in Nepal was topped off with getting to hike in the Himalayas, an absolute dream come true. The locals always wanted to help, teach us about their country and culture and I hope that is something that can become more common in every corner of the world.
Overall, the past six months have been the best thing I could have ever done. I have learnt more about myself, the world around me and the people I share this planet with and that has been a gift in itself. The lessons I have learnt, skills I have gained and smiles I have shared are truly irreplaceable and it is so extraordinary how we are each a culmination of the people we surround ourselves with and meet along the way. Somehow, my bucket list is even longer that it was before my travels, a result of uncovering how much more there is to explore on our planet Earth. I appreciate all that the Bulkeley-Evans HMC Scholarship Fund has allowed me to achieve and it would not be possible without the generosity of yourselves. Thank you for allowing this to happen for young people like myself and continuing to provide endless opportunities. I hope you can access the images I have attached below to see a few of my favourite moments! I also look forward to getting in touch with my school to deliver a talk about my travels and the benefit of this scholarship.
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Ella Speirs - Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa
Dear Mr. Mason,
I am currently three months into my travels, of which the Bulkeley Evans Travel Scholarship has helped support. I am writing to update you on where I have been and the things I have had the opportunity to experience! Thus far, I have travelled to Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa for a month respectively and it has honestly been the most eye-opening few months and I believe I have really made the most of all that has been on offer to me.
In Ghana, one of the most memorable experiences was feeding the homeless in a nearby town. The evening started off as one of the most hectic and overwhelming experiences but once we managed to organise the kids in a local mosque where the adults couldn’t reach the kids to beat them, it became an increasing special experience and one I really can’t put into words.
In Tanzania, the scenery was so beautiful and the locals were some of the most grateful people I’ve met. Whilst volunteering in the school was hectic at times, being able to supply the school with whiteboards to replace their chalk boards was something the teachers would find invaluable I’m sure. I also had the opportunity to observe a local hospital, even managing to see a c-section in the operating theatre. Although I don’t plan on going into a medical field, being able to see a new life brought into this world was truly unforgettable and I was lucky enough to be surrounded by fellow volunteers who had fundraised money that was used to buy life-saving equipment.
In South Africa, the wildlife game reserve was so spectacular - seeing 4 out of the Big 5 all the while helping to monitor the animals and mend potholes/fences was a great balance. I then travelled to Cape Town, a bit of a change to the Africa I had experienced at the start of my travels! We went to a local township as well as helping out at a pre-school and the kids were so happy.
All of these experiences wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of the Bulkeley Evans Travel Scholarship so I am forever grateful. I have attached a few pictures below so I hope you can access them, and I look forward to updating you in a few months after my volunteering in Sri Lanka, India and Nepal !
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Kayla Roberts - Fiji
Dear Mr Mason,
I arrived in Fiji 5 days before project was due to begin, and got to know other volunteers as they arrived day by day to the hostel we were meeting at. On 23rd Sept we started project, with the ‘briefing’. This included going to a resort on the south of the main island of Fiji, and getting to know the 12 other volunteers and 3 leaders with team building games and competitions. It also included 2 days of learning about Fijian traditions and customs, so that when we got to the village we would respect their culture and be mindful of their way of life. An example of a custom in Fijian villages is saying ‘tilou’ (pronounced chilow) when you stand above an elder who is sat down, when you pass something above someone’s head, or when you touch someone’s head. This is because in Fiji heads are sacred, and you must respect your elders in particular. Another custom is taking your shoes off as soon as you enter a house, as you must not wear shoes inside a building.
After the 4 days of briefing, we travelled to the village, which was on Kadavu (pronounced Kandavu) island. This is a fairly large island south of the mainland, and is not touristic at all. We took a boat for 4 hours to get to a port (Kavala) on Kadavu, and then took small fibreglass boats to get to the village, Matasawalevu. We all call it Majo (pronounced Macho).
When we arrived we had a ‘sevusevu’. This is where we present kava to the village and ask for permission to enter the village. Kava is a plant grown in Fiji, and Fijians harvest and dry the roots, and then grind them up, and then put the powder in a cloth and rub it in water to make a drink which looks a lot like muddy water. Kava is very important in Fiji and to enter a village you must present some. As part of the ceremony we all drank a bowl of kava (from a bowl made from a coconut) and introduced ourselves. Then we met our host families and went back to our houses.
My host family in Fiji were absolutely wonderful, and I miss them everyday. My mother was called Maraia and my father was called Tomu. My volunteer sister (Hannah) and I had 6 brothers and sisters, and 21 nieces and nephews. For the first month we lived with our parents and our sister, Lati, and her 2 kids. However in the second month we lived only with our parents, as Lati and her kids went back to her married village. During this month we would always eat with our brother, Limi, and his wife and kids, so we were never short of family in the house!
Our mother would cook every meal for us, and our father would go to the farm. They did so much for us during our time there and looked after us so well. I have never met people as generous as the Fijians. We had the only bed in the house to ourselves (despite our protests) and we had a room. There was another room that our father slept in or sometimes our siblings and nieces and nephews slept in.
Our mother would always sleep in the main room on the floor! She said she liked it best there. Breakfast would usually be ready at 7:30am, and I would either help to make it before that, or get some much needed sleep and wake up to a delicious meal. In Fiji we always eat on a sarong on the floor, and everythjng is buffet style. For breakfast we would have a range of things, from babakau (pronounced bambacow - small triangles of fried dough) to Fijian porridge (made from cassava), or pancakes with jam.
Lunch and dinner could be anything, including friend fish, noodles with corned beef and onions, rice, Fijian pizza, cassava, pak choy, fried rice, chicken curry and more. We would always have a bunch of dishes prepared. The food was absolutely amazing in the village, and we always got told to eat, eat, eat! I could not have asked to be fed any better - the Fijians certainly know how to make a meal.
For the first month, we did ‘Youth Empowerment’. From 9-12 in the morning, we would teach sessions to twenty of the 18-35 year olds in the village. The 6 topics were Public Health, Mental Health, Environment & Climate, Leadership, Sports Development, and Business & Enterprise. We did 2 sessions on each topic. I taught the first 3 topics (as each volunteer did 3 sessions out of 12). I really enjoying teaching these as it felt like we were educating the youths on important topics, and I hoped they could use what they learnt to improve their habits and health. In the afternoons we did ‘culture course’. This was where 5 key youths from the village taught us about life in Fiji. This included weaving fans, making a ‘sasa’ (a broom made of coconut fronds), using the ‘lovo’ (traditional underground oven), and going fishing. These sessions were amazing as they taught us so much about the history and way of life in Fiji, and gave real insight into the culture. In the second month, we built a health centre.
Every day we would work pretty much all day, with a lunch break, alongside the Fijians, as one big team. We made timber frame, added walls, added floors, did the iron roof, and then painted (to put things simply).
This was hugely rewarding and a lot of fun. The build allowed us to get to know the Fijian youths even more, and it was very fulfilling to see how the building progressed every day. One highlight was the tradition that when we nail the first nail into the roof, we must chase the Fijian women who had brooms and oil and sulus (sarongs) from afar all the way to the building! It was a lot of fun. Once building was finished, we had an opening ceremony with a representative from the Fijian Ministry of Health.
The village were very grateful for their new health centre. Almost every day in the village from 4-6pm we would play volleyball and touch rugby. This was a great way to get to know the villagers and it was all great fun. I improved a lot during my time in the village and by the end I absolutely loved volleyball. It was a bit tricky going up against very strong Fijian men in rugby but I loved it! We would also often jump in the sea off the sea wall after volleyball. This was so much fun with the kids, and we would all push each other in and try to do backflips and play games in the water.
There was one week where it poured with rain for the entire week, and the whole field was pure mud, and playing sports and jumping in the sea may have been the most fun I’ve ever had (even if I came home turned brown from the mud, with my mum lovingly shaking her head).
Most nights in the village we drank kava in the village hall. We all sit around the kava bowl, and we chat and sing Fijian songs accompanied by guitar, and just enjoy each other’s company really (in Fiji we call this Talanoa, which means telling stories). Kava never tasted very nice, but grog (kava) sessions were so lovely. Some evenings we would have activities, such as quiz night, dinner swap (you’d go to another volunteer’s house for dinner), sleepover in the hall, karaoke, bonfire, or hymn practice. It was always great to spend time with the other volunteers and the village youths. Every Friday night we had ‘hop hop’. This is where almost everyone in the village would come to the hall. We would dance and drink kava and sing songs until the early hours of the morning. These nights were always a big hit! During our time in the village we also went on lots of trips - one every Saturday. We went to a beach on a remote island, we visited a waterfall, we went to swimming spots, we went to the reef, and so much more.
On Sundays - the day of rest - we would go to church in the morning, and then hang out for the rest of the day. Sundays were great for catching up on sleep and spending time with family.> I have grown to love the village of Matasawalevu and its people so deeply during my time there. Sometimes there were hard bits, such as kids crying throughout the night, or lack of sleep, or being around people 24/7 and not having a private space. But it taught me so much about what makes me happy and how I want to live my life. The Fijians value family and relationships and the simple things in life more than anything, and I want to do the same. The villagers have taught me how to live a simpler life and how to appreciate the little things, rather than making my days a to-do list of goals which work towards a future. They’ve taught me how to enjoy life more and go a little slower, and how to foster more meaningful connections with people. They’ve taught me how to play, how to rest, and how to be grateful for everything that I have.
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Emily Smith - Zimbabwe
Dear Neil
I have recently completed my Project out in Zimbabwe of conservation of the Big 5. I would like to thank all those who helped with the scholarship money as it allowed me to be able to pay for the project fees which I wouldn't have been able to do without your help. I had the most wonderful time out in Zimbabwe and learned things about myself which would not have been possible if I didn't go. From helping out in the local school every Wednesday morning, from upkeep of their garden, to teaching the children the importance of recycling and picking up rubbish and to helping restore their facilities, it taught me to appreciate the things we have in life and that sometimes we take things for granted. From being around the guides 24/7 they taught me that even when encountered with things that are dangerous and scare me that I should still always keep conservation in my mind.
I learnt the kindness of people's hearts when I would be scared in the night due to the spiders and bugs, and took that onto myself to be kind to those who are scared of things I am not. From restoring fences and habitats in the reserve taught me resilience as minute by minute the temperature would increase and the sun would come out, and showed me that complaining and moaning were not needed as we had a job to do and animals that needed our help to remain safe. The camp outs every week had to be one of my favourite experiences as everyone gathered together near the bonfire and listened to stories and learnt about Zimbabwe's ancient history. We would sing songs together and dance around in circles laughing all the way through the night. This project will always hold a special place in my heart as it allowed me to discover that I am stronger and braver than I thought I was, it allowed me to meet people all over the world and to learn about different peoples histories. If I could recommend anything to do with your time it would be this programme, no matter if it's 2 weeks to 3 months, the time will fly by and you will feel like you have grown as a person and that you've changed for the good. I am looking forward to going back to my old school in the next few months to tell the 6th form all about my adventures and the benefit of the scholarship.
Thank you again for your help in making this happen.
