Habitat with Humanity by Aaron Kerr

Last week you learned about Helen’s first experiences in camp and now here is our other longterm volunteer, Aaron with some of his experiences.

As a child it had always been a huge dream and life ambition of mine to visit Africa. The landscape, wildlife, culture and history of such a vast and great continent had fascinated me from an early age, capturing my imagination of what wonders lay within the colourful and vibrant land.

When I was in secondary school I began to show an interest in the natural environment through geography and other activities I did outside of school, fortunately my school ran a biyearly expedition for some of the sixth form students to go to Zambia in conjunction with Habitat with Humanity. Throughout the first few years in the school, the groups of students that were fortunate enough to have been on the trip would conduct an assembly describing the trip. During the talk, what the students were describing would create images in my mind of what I believed it to be and would embed the thought in my mind that I wanted to get on that team to experience what the others in the past had. Once I reached six-form (the final two years of school), the opportunity arose for both the AS-level students and A-level students to apply for the team going out in the summer of 2008. I knew I would regret it for years to come if I didn’t at least apply and attempt to get on the team. Fortunately I was lucky enough to be selected, letting me experience something that I had only dreamt of for years.

To this day I remember with great fondness, humility and wonder what I had the privilege to witness and experience for those few short weeks that I worked in the suburban area on the outskirts of Ndola. We were there to construct two houses for families that were living in a small poverty stricken community. It was a humbling experience. When we got to know the families we were helping along with the kind, gracious and inspiring community surrounding them it made me personally appreciate everything I had; it isn’t often that a circumstance that you find yourself in can profoundly change you but this was one. I found myself appreciating my family a great deal more, I found that material things meant even less to me than they did before and I found that I appreciated the kindness and humility within people a lot more than before. I would always be happy to go back and see the people I did years ago but that chance to visit Africa just wetted my appetite to try and visit again but I knew, in order to achieve that I would need to go to university and obtain a degree and begin studying intently.

After graduating from university alongside working to fund myself, I was again very fortunate to gain the chance to come to Africa but in a capacity more suited to my interests and career aspirations. Gaining a position with Elephants for Africa has allowed for some of my most profound dreams and ambitions to be realised early in life and in a short space of time. Having been here for a month I still find myself being awestruck by the magnificence of this country coupled with extreme harshness and fragility of life. Almost each and every day we are reminded here just how competitive and delicate life is, showing the subtle balance nature has. I have been very lucky to be able to observe Botswana’s wildlife up close and personal, a real privilege and an opportunity even some of those who share this nation and land with the animals do not get. Each day I witness things that I will never forget, experiences happen each day that photographs and videos can barely do justice to. I also have had the pleasure of meeting some extraordinary, inspirational and awesome individuals too that have interesting stories about their research and experiences.

It has been a blessing to be experiencing Africa’s raw beauty, fascinating and interesting natural resources, breath-taking landscapes and colourful culture, as well as to witness the harshness of poverty, exploitation and innate social differences; this has developed a great sense of appreciation within me for nature and humanity.

I may have only been with Elephants for Africa and in Botswana for a short time but I have learned a lot already and look forward to the months ahead to learn much more, experience everything this country and continent has to offer. Each day is as enthralling as the last and out here the statement “each day is a school day” has never had more relevance or importance.