By Nicola Gordon, Fiji Summer Special July 2nd - August 5th 2005
So our first impressions of Fiji were not great as we arrived in a huge storm, where the rain was pelting down like something resembling a British downpour instead of the beautiful blue skies and hot Fijian weather that we had been anticipating. Fear not, this did change, as did the weather.
We did an introduction to coaching session which involved all of us introducing the others to our various sports, and picking each other's brains for coaching and skills ideas. As part of our coaching sessions we were all introduced to Fiji-Time, which contrary to expectations is not the actual time in Fiji. Real Fiji-time runs at least half an hour behind what it says on your watch, and at half the speed. So any coaching session supposed to begin at 2pm would be vaguely ready to start at about 2.30.
As part of group bonding we all went to the Beachouse, a resort in Korolevu on the Coral coast where we finally saw some real Fijian sunshine and glimpsed the beaches and palm trees we had seen in postcards. We loved the turquoise sea and the snorkelling and horse-riding were added bonuses. True to our Sportventurer name we played endless games of touch-rugby and volleyball.
The prize for ridiculous sunburn was a close call, Jon's lobster back, Rich's lobster red back minus a random white rectangle that appeared over his shoulder blades, and not to mention Dan, whose panda eyes ie sunglasses marks made us laugh for days. Notice the girls were much more sensible and actually applied sun screen...
After another week of coaching, some of us headed to the rainforest, and spent the day swimming in natural rock pools and sitting under waterfalls enjoying the views. Another weekend a few of us headed to Sigatoka sand dunes, which was lovely.
As a note on coaching, we had to mention that the kids were generally overly enthusiastic, much more so than in British schools I imagine. The excitement of the kids as you turn up in a taxi, so much so that you cannot get out of aforementioned taxi without being mobbed by children saying "yeah yeah, hockey hockey" or whatever sport you are playing. Getting used to being stared at and pointed at was also rather strange.
There is also the chance to play for a local club if you want to, which some of the Sportventurers took advantage of. We would often go and support each other in our games and learn more about the games we weren't coaching ourselves. Rich got quite far with his rugby team Lomoviti, and played in the regional quarter finals As we said we were from Sportventurer and we had coached at the ticket man's son's school, we got in for free (Sportventurer has its advantages!)!
Peter: "What makes Madventurer different to the other placement companies around?"
Ben: Madventurer is primarily different to the other placement companies in that we offer projects not placements. This means that your experience is conducted in a team environment with the constant support of a Mad member of staff and you at no point can feel isolated. We are also the first of these organisations to have brought development work and adventurous travel together.
Wes: "I am really interested in your Sports projects, but I am worried about how it might look on my CV. What skills will I get out of such a project that I could sell to an employer once I'm home?"
Ben: These projects will be able to help you illustrate a variety of qualities to future employers; from showing initiative in raising the money to come out in the first place, to organisational ability in the coaching. Adapting and living in a new culture and environment also shows the ability to assimilate yourself in different situations. Most importantly, by deciding to go and make a success of one of these projects shows that you have an adventurous side and you are willing to face and succeed in what could appear a daunting challenge.
Louise: "Can you make a great difference to people's lives on a sports project, as much as you could with say, a building project?"
Ben: In all projects, by just involving yourself and being a part of the local community, you will inevitably touch and make a difference to people's lives. You have to remember that they will be learning just as much from you as you will from them. Although building will leave a tangible mark, coaching sport gives you the chance to have direct contact and touch individuals personally.
Claire: "Your sports placements sound cool - do you get many girls take you up on these or is it quite a male-dominated thing?"
Ben: More and more girls are becoming interested in our sports options. We are adding hockey and netball to our traditional 'male' sports of rugby and football - although we do have a few girls interested in these too! Interest is definitely starting to level out.
Wayne: "I am a bit confused about the in-country support you mention - do you have Mad staff with you all the while and if not, are they on hand/ contactable if you have any problems?"
Ben: All our projects have a member of Mad staff on them. They are there to both run and get involved in the project. They live with the group and are there to facilitate and help with any problems that may arise.
Roberta: "Is there anywhere girls can go to coach football and do you get treated the same as the lads?!"
Ben: Girls will always attract more attention than the lads in the countries we go to because of the male-orientated society that exists. However for girls to come out and show the locals that women are capable of doing 'traditional' male pursuits always results in gaining a lot of respect from the local community.
Helen: "Do you get help to sort out visas, flights and stuff when you sign up to a placement with Madventurer?"
Ben: Part of the reason that people choose Madventurer is the support that we offer before, during and after the project. We have well-travelled and experienced staff that are always on hand to help with any query before going.
Jo: "Which is your favourite of all the projects you guys offer?"
Ben: Hard to say, although the idea of staying with a local family in Tanzania sounds very exciting. That said, living in a classic, rural and indigenous community in the Andes in Peru is incredible too...
Coleen: "I've been looking at your teaching projects. I don't have any teaching experience, but I love children and think I'd like to go into the profession someday. Is this a good way to find out if I'd like it and what qualifications will I need?"
Ben: All we ask for from the teachers that come away from us is the ability to be self-motivated and enthusiastic. Our projects are an ideal way of gaining experience as the children are so appreciative and receptive to new teachers that you can feel the rewards of the profession almost straight away. Then, having had the experience, you'll be in great position to know if that is your vocation in life.
Shirley: "Do you have many opportunities for the older gapper?! I am 46 and want to know if I'm passed it..?!"
Ben: We have no restrictions on those who want to come away with us, only that they are enthused by what they are doing and happy to get 'stuck in' on the project. Having 'older' gappers in the groups is always enormously beneficial as they can bring so much extra wisdom and life-experience to the project. This brings dividends not only to the community but also to the group that they are in.
Tommy: "I have been told that volunteer placements can take jobs from local people - what's your take on this?"
Ben: All our projects are set up ay the request of the community. It is our ethos to ask the community to let us know what they need and then we provide the materials and manpower. Then our volunteers work side-by-side with local volunteers to achieve the desired goal. We also always try to employ local foremen and cooks to help us out which results in putting money directly back into the community.
Sara: "I really want to do a teaching project but would rather teach art or drama than English - any ideas?"
Ben: Although teaching English is seen as the classic volunteer activity, we always try and encourage our volunteers to bring whatever skills, talents and ideas to their teaching. We see the project as their initiative and so can bring as much to it as possible. We always have staff on the project who are happy to help develop any new ideas and thoughts that could improve the existing set-up.
Miss_Kitten: "I think I want to go to Africa on my gap year but I am quite worried as I'm not very good with hot weather - how hot is it? Are you expected to work during hottest parts of the day?"
Ben: The heat in all our destinations is never too over-powering and it all depends where you go. In Ghana it can quite humid where as in Kenya it can be warm during the day and then the temperature drops a bit at night because of the altitude. The heat in general, though, is something that you soon get used to and never causes anyone too much discomfort. We always adopt a sensible approach to when we work. Occasionally it will not be possible to work during the middle of the day so we will have some time off. However to make the hours up that might involved getting up a bit earlier than normal!
Frogger: "I am hoping to do a Sports Science degree at Uni after my gap year; will a Sportventurer project help my chances of getting into one of the best courses do you think?"
Ben: The best way to give yourself the highest chance of achieving the university place that you want is to demonstrate your skills and personality through outside interests. By getting involved in a Sportventurer project you will not only have an amazing time, but also show to future educational institutions - and employers - resourcefulness, adaptability, leadership skills and the ability to operate in an alien environment. All of which look very strong on any form of application.
Violet: "I've heard that people that go on their gap year with you become part of the 'tribe' - what does this mean? Do you have a tribal name and what is your position within the tribe?"
Ben: The tribal idea comes from the origins of John Lawler (the boss) being enstooled on the tribal council of the village of Shia in Ghana where he worked on his gap year. Although the tribal idea was not part of the original plans of Mad, we have found that each group develops its own sense of identity throughout its project. As a result we now see all those who come away with us as part of the Mad Tribe hoping to improve and develop less fortunate areas of the world. My own position is the leader of the 'hunter-gatherers' who aim to go out and find the new tribal members for us to carry the much needed work.
Lolly: "Maybe a silly question, but why are you called Madventurer?"
Ben: The name originates from our time when we focussed solely on Africa. Madventurer began when John Lawler became enstooled on the tribal council of Shia (a small village in Ghana) in recognition of his work there on his gap year. His Tribal name was Chief Torgbui Mottey 1st. When he started taking volunteers back to Shia and then to other destinations in Africa, he decided to incorporate this in the name of the organisation. Thus 'Mad' stood for 'Mottey African Development.' Coupled with the fact that he was combining adventurous travel with development work then 'Madventurer' was formed.
Petal: "I am hoping to fit in a project with you guys on my upcoming holiday from college and your mini-madventures sound like a good idea. Are you still able to make an impact on a community if you are only there for a short time?"
Ben: Although we do prefer those coming away with us to do the full five week project, we are happy for Venturers to come for as much time as they can manage. By just being in the community for whatever length of time however means that you will always be contributing. Your presence will mean that a contribution will be made financially and all personal contact you have with the locals will always make an impact.
Milkyway: "How much independent travel do you get to do on your average Mad project? Is it a case of save it until you've finished your responsibilities on the placement?"
Ben: The work that takes place on projects normally occurs during the week, leaving the weekends free for doing your own bit of independent travel. We also encourage a mid-project break whereby the Venturers take a 'long weekend' in the middle of the project to give them time to pursue something they might not have time to on a normal weekend. However if Venturers want to stay in the community on weekends then we would always encourage that.
Bumble: "My parents are quite nervous about me going on my gap year and I am hoping that doing a placement will reassure them as I will be with a group and staff too. What advice could you give me about dealing with over anxious parents?"
Ben: Parents will always be naturally anxious as it is just as much a big step for them in letting their loved ones go as it is for the traveller to step out into the unknown. The trick with parents is to let them feel as much involved as they need to in your preparations. Although that might feel quite claustrophobic at times, it will result in them having the 'peace of mind' to let you go without any over-anxiety.
From our point of view we offer support before, during and after the project. This means that we have well-travelled staff that can give good advice before leaving. On the ground in the countries where we work we have experienced staff who live and work with the group on a day-to-day basis. These are there to ensure not only the smooth running of the projects but also to keep an eye on the individual and group welfare. Then once back you will be automatically part of the Mad Tribe and all the benefits and fun that comes with that!
RobRob: "My friend and I are both interested in your rugby placement in Fiji - could you guarantee that we would be placed together if we signed up with you?"
Ben: Whenever Venturers sign up, we always ask if they have a travel companion that they would like to be placed with. Then we would make sure that the two would be put together on their desired project.
Fairy: "I like the thought of doing a language course with some of your placements in Peru - do you think it is worth the extra cash and does learning the local language really make a difference when working with the local community?
Ben: Whenever abroad, the biggest compliment you can pay a local is to attempt to communicate with him/her in his native tongue. This is especially true of our rural projects where the locals will tend to speak no English yet are fascinated by the arrival of a group of westerners. Although the locals will always warm to you due to the good work you are doing for them, by learning the language and applying it you will suddenly find that you will be able to develop some great friendships and insights to the local culture.
Terry: "When can I apply for your placements - are there deadline dates or do you have a rolling system?"
Ben: Rather than deadline dates, we try to put a numbers cap on our projects. This means that places could be available up to and until maybe a week beforehand, however this also means that a project could be full over a month beforehand. We tend to find that our summer projects are the most popular because of the high demand on them as it ties in with student summer holidays.
Izzy: "If for any reason I am unhappy with my placement, what steps do you take to help me out? I take it you have a support network in place.?"
Ben: What is unique about our projects is the 24 hour support that comes from our crew on the ground. These members of our staff live and work with the Venturers on the project and are there to address any personal or logistical problems that may arise. They are always on hand to discuss and, if necessary, deal with any situations that may come up.
Nutcase: "How many people are there on average on each project?"
Ben: On average, we tend to have between six and 12 on each project. However this sometimes goes up or down depending on the time of the year, summer being the most popular and end of autumn being the quietest times.
Bobbyjoe: "Is there an option to combine a sports type project and then another one - like a building one? I would like to have a bit of variety!"
Ben: Definitely! What we try and offer on all our projects is flexibility for the Venturers to get involved with as much as possible. We want those who come with us to experience as much as possible. A lot of our Sportventurer projects run along side our Madventurer ones which gives an enormous amount of scope to get involved in both.
Gracey: "Regarding your sports placements, does it matter if I am pants at sports but have bags of enthusiasm? It sounds like fun, but I don't want you to think I am a pro or anything!"
Ben: What we always ask for in those who come out with us is enthusiasm and the ability to be self-motivated. Obviously if they are of a good standard at their chosen sport then that is a massive bonus. However if you look at the best coaches in the world, very rarely were the top ones good players in their day. They succeeded through drive and desire, which is what we ask our Venturers to bring.
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