The most amazing creatures on the planet

COUNTRY: Mozambique
PROGRAM: GapBreak
PROJECT: Marine Conservation and Care Work
WRITTEN BY: Simone Herrmannsen

Sitting in a boat knowing I'm seeing the most amazing things on the planet is a strange feeling. Looking down and witnessing a truly majestic creature, a whale shark five times larger than yourself, swimming beneath you is life changing, and that was only the start of it. Life for a volunteer is extreme, from walking through villages knee deep in sand to teach, to hopping in a boat and diving 30 meters with sharks. Watching kids faces light up as you pick them up and swing them around like little dolls, then going to an estuary in search of sea horses, it's the best of both worlds.

It's easy to see why the communities here need volunteers, with a lack of power and running water, education easily slips their minds as purely living is of the utmost importance. Understanding that English is a commodity in this country encourages me, as well as the other volunteers, to teach and know this is enriching their future. Teaching at a school and seeing progress is also rewarding, seeing the kids thrive under positive feedback (and a few encouraging lollipops) makes the journey to the schools worth it. Whilst teaching, you also learn more about the communities and the locals way of life.

You go out on weekends with them, enjoy the local night life and best of all, you feel like a local yourself. Their happiness spreads to you, their open friendliness changes your own way of life, becoming more welcoming to strangers. Life as a volunteer is full of surprises, learning about new cultures from here, as well as from the other house mates. On top of the social adventure, there is a new exploration of the deep.

Seeing mantas on reefs, whales on the surface and a whole array of alien like sea creatures. Swimming with turtles, dolphins and sharks alike, you really get a feel of what lies beneath, and though the thought is terrifying to some, swimming with a school of 20 hammerhead sharks in like a dream come true, decreasing your fear yet increasing your respect.

The life I have lived in Mozambique has been one I will never forget, and hope to continue in my future, where time means nothing and adventure is key.

I will always consider this place my second home.