It is the foundation's belief that in giving of themselves, sharing their skills and in turn enriching the communities in which they travel to, the sponsored traveller will gain a deeper understanding of the world, as well as provide an opportunity for themselves to re-evaluate their own belief systems and values.
Having spent a year working with an organisation called EDGE of AFRICA in Knysna, Lance van den Heever-Liebenberg, co-founder of the foundation, was able to able to see the immense impact that a volunteer organisation is able to have in their local community, as well as the benefit for conservation efforts and research.
At the end of his time at EDGE, Van den Heever-Liebenberg spent two weeks interviewing the volunteers. What was highlighted is that regardless of socio-economic background, each volunteer shared exactly the same experience. They all spoke of their home life and the things that they owned; they explained how over the course of their volunteer placement they realised that they spent far too much time focusing on their possessions or the money that they felt that should be earning. Their understanding of what it takes to make people truly happy had changed and that the volunteer experience taught them to appreciate relationships, both with friends and family, and to focus on the small things in the world that give us joy.
"Throughout our travels we have been blown away by how incredibly generous of spirit people can be," says Van den Heever-Liebenberg. "We have seen tolerance towards different cultures and creeds at grass roots level and believe that it is something that South Africans could truly benefit from seeing. We hope that by providing these opportunities to people that they will encourage a change within their own homes and communities when they return home.
"I am a different person after each trip. Each experience teaches me something new - both about myself, as well as about South Africa. Each trip encourages me to see the world in a new light, to be more tolerant, to be inspired and hopeful. I have learnt to trust again. I have learnt to smile and laugh freely. I have learnt to not let my fear of my financial future as well as my safety and well-being cripple my ability to enjoy today. I have learnt to accept the things I cannot change, and change the things I cannot accept. But most importantly, I have learnt to find happiness in the simple things," he concludes.
