Volun­teering Namibia - Michael and Marisa

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Name: Michael and Marisa

Age: 57 and 50

Project: Elephant Protection

Location: Damaraland, Namibia

Duration: 12 Days

1. Would you like to give us a brief overview of your tasks in the project?

The project is divided into two weeks, a Building-Week and a Patrol-Week. In the first week, we went to base camp for one night before heading to the building site for the next few days. Our team had the task of building a massive stone wall around a solar plant to protect it from possible destruction by the elephants.

Building week

The whole team is involved in building the wall, everyone works hand in hand. The programme includes collecting stones (‘rock runs’), mixing cement and actually building the wall. As there is no electricity or running water available for the entire week, manual labour is the order of the day. No special previous knowledge is required, the guides always help and explain everything. However, a certain level of fitness is an advantage, as the hard physical labour in sometimes high temperatures is quite strenuous. But despite everything, we had a lot of fun working.

We started work in the morning at around 8.00 am and finished at around 5.00 pm. There are always short breaks and a two-hour lunch break. The volunteers' tasks also include looking after the catering for the whole team. The so-called ‘duty team’ consisted of two people and it was their turn three times during the programme.

The first task in the morning was to make a fire, make coffee, and wake up the others with the coffee. Breakfast, tea break, lunch, and dinner (all over an open fire) are also part of the duty team's tasks, as is washing up afterwards. But here, too, the guides help out and make sure that everyone gets their fill. Again and again, everything has to be stowed away in large boxes to protect it from wild animals.

Patrol Week

The Patrol Week was then much more relaxed. We travelled by jeep in search of the desert elephants living there** to get more detailed information about their numbers, health, and distribution areas. Our guides had to go out twice to carry out repair work as elephants had destroyed some pipes at a well, and the locals were unable to draw water from the well. Otherwise, it's always a case of collecting wood in the evening and setting up a fire and sleeping area. In the morning, everything is stowed away in the boxes, and we set off again on our observation tour.

2. What were the biggest challenges for you during the project?

The biggest challenge was certainly having to do without everything that we all take for granted: electricity, running water, a shower and a ‘proper’ toilet. But you actually get used to it quite quickly. But it is precisely the fact that you do without all of this that makes the project so special. You focus on what you have and adjust your behaviour accordingly.

The hard physical labour is certainly also a big challenge, as everything has to be done by hand - there are no machines available. In the high temperatures, it is also important to always drink plenty of water.

3. Was there anything that you particularly liked? Or something that you remember particularly negatively?

The entire project period was a unique and unforgettable experience. Where to start?
The encounters with the desert elephants were simply fantastic. But the absolute highlight was sleeping under the dreamlike starry sky of Namibia, being woken up by the wonderful sunrise, and falling asleep with the equally wonderful sunset.

The breathtaking landscape of Namibia is also always fascinating. The team spirit in the whole group was great and the fantastic guides also helped to make the hard work in the first week easy, fun and enjoyable.

There is nothing negative. You just have to be aware of the unfamiliar circumstances.

4. Did you have certain expectations before you travelled to the project?

We didn't have any specific expectations before travelling. We knew that we would have to be prepared for a few things: no electricity, no running water, no shower and no proper toilet. But the two weeks exceeded everything. The cohesion in the group was great, the food was delicious and varied (apart from the porridge in the morning). During the two weeks you realise that you don't need much to feel comfortable. You just have to get involved in the "simple life ’ during the two weeks, then it can be a great time and experience for life.

5. Did you do anything in your free time that you could recommend to future participants?

As there is no opportunity for any activities during the project, it is a good idea to take one or two books with you or to keep a diary. The evenings around the campfire are spent chatting with the other team members. The time between Building Week and Patrol Week is spent back at Base Camp. A visit to the EHRA Education Centre is recommended here.

After completing the project, you should take the opportunity to spend two or three days in Swakopmund. The town offers some good restaurants and is also suitable for other activities, e.g. skydiving, guided desert excursions or day trips to Walvis Bay.

6. What tips/recommendations would you give to other participants who want to do the project?

You should approach the project without any specific expectations but with a lot of lust and curiosity. During the two weeks, you should ‘soak up’ all the impressions and experiences and ideally write them down in a diary. Don't take too many clothes with you, but plenty of wet wipes! These are the only way to ‘wash’ yourself during the two weeks that you don't spend at base camp.

Even though Building Week is hard work, it fills you with satisfaction and a certain pride when you see the end result. It gives you great satisfaction to have played a part (albeit a small one)
contribution to making it easier for people and desert elephants to live (together) in the area.

7. Can you estimate how many additional costs you had on site?

As a couple, we spent around 150 euros for the two weeks. There are hardly any opportunities to spend money during the two weeks (at most when stopping off at small shops for drinks and sweets). We spent the Sunday between Building Week and Patrol Week at a lodge with a pool. We had a drink and a meal there.

8. Any other questions/suggestions/ideas/reports or stories from you

The two weeks were unique and unforgettable, the time in the bush simply marvellous. We learnt a lot about the country and its people and of course the desert elephants in particular. We visited marvellous places and collected many unforgettable impressions.

The support provided by NATUCATE was also very good. We had several phone calls in advance in which the project was explained to us in more detail and all questions (flights, packing lists, vaccinations etc.) were answered. We were also in contact during the project. With NATUCATE, you can really be sure that it is a serious project. If you are still undecided: Just get in touch with NATUCATE and ask for advice. You won't regret it!