http://gedsroadtrip.com/2018/11/23/hurghada-to-aswan-510kms/

If you can't open this please join Ged's Blog as he drives Tracy back to my loving arms!...

Tracy & Ged are on their way!

November 23, 2018

http://gedsroadtrip.com/2018/11/11/why-cant-we-just-have-roll-on-roll-off-ferries/

If you haven't joined his Blog, please do so it's great!

Jed's Blog: Getting Tracy out of Customs...

November 12, 2018

My first long drive since getting out of hospital was back to Jakkalsfontein, an
Hour from Cape Town, so I could get a feel of being behind the wheel...

Cape Town Roadtripping

November 8, 2018

The Covenant and the Holy of Holies

December 12, 2017

Out of my comfort Zone

December 6, 2017

Time has flown and all you caring and kind people out there must be wondering why I have been so quiet.  Well not a day flashes by when I don’t think...

Exciting Times...

February 10, 2019

Everybody Safe and Sound

December 24, 2018

https://m.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/stranger-drives-elderly-sa-womans-toyota-back-from-egypt-to-cape-town-20181219

Exciting News: Please copy and paste the link in your Browser!

December 20, 2018

1/17
Please reload

Recent Posts:
Never Miss a Post!

It's about the people, for the people.

July 3, 2017

Julia has asked me to contribute to her blog, in the hopes that perhaps what I am doing here in Malawi inspires other young people do the same!

 

Upon leaving school I found myself in a position that I believe plenty of young people can relate to... Not knowing what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to go to university and study something just for the sake of studying, because that’s what I was expected to do. So, I began working in a retail job, stuck in a boring routine. I thought about the last thing I did that made me truly, truly happy. It was when I came to Malawi- back in 2013, as part of a school organisation. In the month I was here I fell in love with it, we spent one week at Cool Running’s working on a project with Samantha so I reached out to her. I wanted to volunteer, I wanted to help and I knew that Sam was the best person for that because of the amazing relationship she has with her community.

 

I arrived in May and since then I have taught members of the Malawi Defence Force how to use computers. I have helped build a playground made solely from recycled materials at Parachute Battalion Military Base, everything is made from scrap metal we found and the surrounding wall is made from glass bottles, to teach locals there are alternatives to cutting down trees for bricks. Created a prayer room at Ndi Moyo Palliative care centre where the terminally ill can go and take a moment to come to terms with their illness. Organised first aid training to local community volunteer police groups, helped repair ceiling panels at the school Library. I have been to patient day care a Ndi Moyo where I cooked for and danced with the most inspiring people - painted their nails, got to know them and struggled to believe they could be so ill when they were so happy and full of life. All of these amazing experiences in such a short amount of time and there is still so much left to do before I leave.

 

The projects I work on here at Cool Running’s are about the people for the people. They are not hand outs. They must be earned, we simply facilitate and encourage others so that when we are not around, they can survive and are sustainable. You have a responsibility to know the consequences of your actions. Here its all about trying to help the people be independent, intelligent individuals, not beggars that are dependent on someone else to give them everything they need. Like the saying goes, give a man a fish or teach a man to fish...

 

That was a very important lesson for me to learn, to fight the urge to just give, give, give, thoughtlessly. You want to, but you can’t because ultimately it does more harm than good. Sometimes it is heartbreaking, to see the situations some of these people are in. But I am so thankful I have the opportunity to see this part of the world, to meet these people who astound me with their positivity and happiness, content with so little.

 

I am so grateful to Sam for giving me the chance to help and teaching me the right way to do it. There is still so many wonderful things to be done here, volunteers are always needed and it is such a fantastic place to do it. Sam is the perfect teacher, I have never met anyone as knowledgeable, kind and positive. I am constantly inspired by her. If I can do even a fraction of the good that she manages to do, day in, day out, I will be happy with that.

 

In my time here I have learnt a lot about myself, I have found new strengths and new weaknesses. I feel capable of so much more than I did before, like I found a bravery in myself I didn’t know was there. To go out, to immerse myself in cultures, talk to people, try new things and at times push myself out of my comfort zone. These are not things I could learn in a classroom, I needed this experience to get to know myself, so that I am able to make decisions about my future and know what it is that I want to do. I really have loved every second I’ve spent here. I love the village and the people, it really does feel like a second home. It is clear to see why Malawi is known as the warm heart of Africa. I could not recommend it enough, you have to be here to understand how wonderful it is. As a volunteer, this is the best thing I’ve ever done. So if you’re thinking about helping, about seeing more, doing more, do it here. You won’t regret it.

 

I have met so many interesting people, that have each taught me so much. People like Julia! Who, by the way, I think is absolutely amazing and will definitely be hunting down when she makes it to England! I am just coming into my third month is this beautiful country – sadly, my final month... for now. I have no doubt I will be back very soon.

 

Harriet Gracie 

(Rebecca)

 

 

 

Please reload

It has been a lifelong dream of mine to drive through Africa. When I realised that my trusty Toyota Conquest (fondly named Tracy) would be 20 years old this year and I would be 80, there couldn't be a better time to fulfil my dream and together with 100 years of life’s experiences, together we hope to set off on the adventure of a lifetime. 

​

Despite my numerous offers to accompany friends across Africa, sadly no one took me up on it. 

​

Having recently lost my partner of 33 years,  raised 4 children and been a “gogo” to 9 grandchildren - I have decided that its time to be the master of my own destiny and what better time than to set off on the adventure of a lifetime? 

 

People look at me in horror when I tell them I’m venturing forth across Africa in a 1997,1600 Toyota Conquest with close to 400 000km’s on the clock. But who else would i choose as my partner in crime? For a quarter of my life, Tracy has been my trusty stead. Windows wound down, music playing, seatbelt clipped in, I could always roar off into the sunset when I needed to.

 

So here we go again. Come and join me on the journey...

About Me.

GET IN TOUCH

  • Black Facebook Icon
  • Black Instagram Icon
iStore
iStore
Kiwinet
Kiwinet
Cape Union Mart
Cape Union Mart
SWIZA
SWIZA
Caran D'Ache
Caran D'Ache
Specsavers
Specsavers
Heye Ventures
Heye Ventures
Halogen International
Halogen International
Tirade Props
Tirade Props
Malmesbury Toyota
Malmesbury Toyota
Ultra Seal Africa
Ultra Seal Africa
Voetspore
Voetspore
Map Studio
Map Studio
Emthunzini Hats
Emthunzini Hats
ENVELOPED IDEAS logo
ENVELOPED IDEAS logo
iStore
iStore
Kiwinet
Kiwinet
Cape Union Mart
Cape Union Mart
SWIZA
SWIZA
Caran D'Ache
Caran D'Ache
Specsavers
Specsavers
Heye Ventures
Heye Ventures
Halogen International
Halogen International
Tirade Props
Tirade Props
Malmesbury Toyota
Malmesbury Toyota
Ultra Seal Africa
Ultra Seal Africa
Voetspore
Voetspore
Map Studio
Map Studio
Emthunzini Hats
Emthunzini Hats
ENVELOPED IDEAS logo
ENVELOPED IDEAS logo
Supporters

Julia Albu

  • Google+ Social Icon
  • Black Facebook Icon
  • Home

  • Blog

  • Facebook Feed

  • The Charity

  • Journey

  • Supporters

  • About

  • More