Two Weeks Later: A Reflection on My first 2025 Volunteering Experience in Namibia

It’s been two weeks since I left, and I’m already back in Europe—earlier than planned. Turns out, I managed to hurt my hand while horse riding. Not ideal, especially since it’s my right hand, which is swollen, blue and painful, so working will be… interesting. But hey, it is what it is!

When it happened, I felt sad, frustrated, and honestly, pretty angry. Cutting my experience short by nearly two weeks wasn’t the plan, and I was gutted to leave. But after sitting with those feelings for a while, I realized they only existed because I loved the experience so much—I simply didn’t want it to end.

So instead of dwelling on what could have been, I’m focusing on recovery before heading off on my next adventure in Canada and California. And because this experience left such a mark on me, I’ve already decided: I’ll be volunteering again in June—probably a bit closer to home this time.

Looking Back: What I Learned

Patience. We all know the saying, “patience is a virtue,” but honestly, I’ve never had much of it. Running a business for 10 years made me feel like everything had to be done yesterday. However, teaching six-year-olds how to groom and walk a mini pony?

That requires a different kind of patience. Here’s Prince looking after the heavily pregnant Dotty—he’s a natural.

Being brave. I learned how to catch "untamed alpacas" to check their eyes for eye worms (yes, gross) and inspect their hooves for overgrowth. Here’s me with my 37 degrees make up less face and Diego, the young alpaca stallion, after my third attempt at catching him. They kick, they spit, they fight you—but eventually, they relax into cuddles. Persistence pays off.

Meeting new people. I spent time with people from all over the world, aged 18 to 60, all sharing a passion for nature, animals, and Africa.

Over the past decade, I’ve met incredible people in the food and drink industry—but after a while, your circle can feel predictable. Here, I was immersed in entirely different lives: photographers, NHS doctors, and people who moved to the middle of nowhere to teach natural horsemanship. I heard firsthand from young adults trying to figure out their place in the world. It was so refreshing, and I can already feel my perspective widening.

Dealing with the heat. My room had neither a fan nor AC. At night, it “cooled down” to about 24 degrees, and my mornings started at 7 a.m. to get the hardest jobs done before the real heat kicked in.

I adjusted quickly—going to bed at 10:30 p.m., waking up at 6 a.m.—not to an alarm, but to the sound of crickets, birds, and a very, very loud donkey. And in the hottest part of the day, I took plenty of breaks. My favorite spot? The volunteer pool overlooking the horizon. And those sunsets? Absolutely breathtaking.

Why Does This Matter for Business?

You might be wondering how any of this is relevant to LinkedIn—or to business.

For me, this experience was about resetting and bringing things back to the basics. It also reminded me how important it is to step outside your usual circle.

Recently, I’ve been working with brand owners, and this experience adds another layer. Listening to how young adults navigate life—how they engage with tech, discover brands, and prioritize their time—offers real insight into how businesses can stay relevant.

And then there’s the local community. Spending time with people whose values are grounded in simplicity, connection, and purpose is inspiring. It’s a reminder that, whether in life or business, it’s those same principles that bring people together.

So, despite the unexpected early return, I’m incredibly grateful for this experience. It’s taught me patience, resilience, and the value of truly connecting with others. And most importantly? It’s just the beginning.

Here’s to recovery, the next adventure, and another round of volunteering—this time, probably with fewer alpaca kicks and more cuddles!