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Volunteering in Africa: Elizabeth's Journey

Elizabeth spent 2 years in Africa as a volunteer after feeling restless in her job as a travel agent. She saw a poster at the dentist's office advertising volunteer work in Africa and decided to apply. After training, she was sent to Africa to teach local farmers methods for marketing their produce. While the transition was difficult at first due to less training than expected, she settled in well and enjoyed learning about the local culture from the women. When she returned to England, she found city life overwhelming and moved to the country. She now runs her own African furniture business from home and gives talks to encourage other volunteer work in Africa. The experience changed her priorities to spend more time gardening.

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156 views2 pages

Volunteering in Africa: Elizabeth's Journey

Elizabeth spent 2 years in Africa as a volunteer after feeling restless in her job as a travel agent. She saw a poster at the dentist's office advertising volunteer work in Africa and decided to apply. After training, she was sent to Africa to teach local farmers methods for marketing their produce. While the transition was difficult at first due to less training than expected, she settled in well and enjoyed learning about the local culture from the women. When she returned to England, she found city life overwhelming and moved to the country. She now runs her own African furniture business from home and gives talks to encourage other volunteer work in Africa. The experience changed her priorities to spend more time gardening.

Uploaded by

Chu Mỹ
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

FCE 1

Part 2 transcript
A: Visitors to the small Devon village of Whimpel might be forgiven for looking
twice as they pass the garden of Elizabeth Holmes. In the middle of the garden
there stands a traditional of African hut, a reminder of the 2 years Elizabeth spent
in Africa as a volunteer. Elizabeth, what persuaded you to leave your secure job in
the travel agent’s and go to Africa?
B: Well, I been feeling restless for ages. I want to see the real work, not just tourist
places. Then I was at the dentist’s one day, waiting to go in, and I’d read all the
magazine in the waiting room, so I started looking at the poster- It was all about
volunteers working in Africa.
A: And it interested you?
B: Yes. I took down the name of address and the applied. I heard an interview
locally and did some aptitude tests. Then just before I left for Africa, there was a
training weekend in London, which they call ‘’ changes’’ and which gives you
some idea of what you’re letting yourself in for.
A: What particular skills could you offer?
B: I had a degree in economics and I had done some teaching at one time. What
they wanted to send me some Africa to do was to train local farmers in the
marketing of theỉ produce. I flew out with 15 volunteers, all going to do different
things, like nursing, teaching, and so on. When we got there, we were supposed to
have 4 week course at a training center learning something about local culture and
the basics of the language you know, greeting and things like that. Anyway, there
are problems, there only last 3 weeks in the end not enough really.
A: Did you take a long time to get used to your new lifestyle?
B: I found it quite difficult for the first few weeks. But after that I settled in very
well. My area covered 1200 km 2. And I hađ a truckfor long distance travel, but
for more local trips, I rode a motorbike.
A: How did you get on with local people?
B: Very well. The men were very polite but they tended to keep their distance
unlike the woman, who were always inviting me to meals. They showed me how
they wove and dyed the material, to make clothes for themselves and their
children. I used to get my magazine sent from England and we’d spend ages
looking at them.
A: I suspect you found it some very different when you returned to England?
B: Yes. I certainly did. After 2 years of living in the simply, I found the
supermarkets especially overwhelming- just the enormous choice of food. Also,
the traffic disturbed me. I had to move from my flat in the city to a small cottage in
the country, just to get some piece of peace and quiet because I’d become
accustomed to in Africa.
A: Anđ what do you work on at the moment?
B: Well I didn’t want to just go back to working in someone else’s office so I set
up my own business, which I run from home. I deal in African furniture, I brought
some small pieces back with me as souvenirs and everyone loved them in Britain.
However, I’m still in touch with the organization that sent me to Africa as a
volunteer. I organize events to raise funds and give talks about my experience to
encourage other people to go.
A: Has the experience in Africa changed you at all?
B: Oh yes, in many ways. I used to spend all my time working, but now I’m make
sure I have more time for gardening- my favorite hobby.
A: Well, I’d like to thank Elizabeth for coming into the studio today.

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After two years in Africa, Elizabeth found the variety in British supermarkets overwhelming and was disturbed by city traffic. These changes in perception led her to seek a quieter life in the countryside to cope with the overwhelming stimuli, reflecting a distinct shift in her lifestyle and consumption preferences .

Elizabeth leverages her African volunteer experience in her professional life by running a business dealing in African furniture, which gained popularity in Britain. She also uses her experiences to support the volunteering organization by organizing fundraising events and giving talks to encourage others to volunteer .

After returning to England, Elizabeth was overwhelmed by the supermarkets and city traffic. She moved to a small country cottage for peace and began running her own African furniture business. The experience in Africa also led her to value personal time, integrating gardening as a hobby .

Elizabeth prepared for her role by attending a training weekend in London called 'changes', which provided insights into what she would encounter. She had a degree in economics and previous teaching experience, which equipped her for training local farmers in marketing their produce .

Elizabeth noticed that local men were polite but kept their distance, whereas women were inviting and hospitable, often sharing meals and demonstrating traditional crafts like weaving and dyeing. These interactions provided Elizabeth with valuable cultural insights into local traditions and gender dynamics .

Elizabeth initially found it difficult to adjust to her new lifestyle in Africa, especially given her area covered 1200 km² and required extensive travel. She overcame these challenges by utilizing a truck for long distances and a motorbike for local trips, which eventually helped her settle in well .

Nostalgia plays a significant role in Elizabeth's life through her business dealing in African furniture, which originated from the souvenirs she brought back and their popularity in Britain. Her continued involvement with the volunteering organization also reflects a desire to maintain her connection to her African experiences .

Elizabeth Holmes felt restless and wanted to experience the real world, not just tourist places. Her inspiration came spontaneously while at the dentist's waiting room, where she read about volunteering opportunities in Africa and decided to apply .

The intended four-week cultural and language training course was compressed to three weeks due to problems, which Elizabeth felt was insufficient. Improvements could include ensuring the full duration is maintained and perhaps extending the program for deeper cultural immersion and language acquisition .

Elizabeth shifted from spending all her time working to ensuring she has more time for gardening, her favorite hobby. This change indicates a newfound appreciation for personal time and hobbies following her African experience .

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