WORK WITH ANIMALS ON YOUR CAREER BREAK
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 Name:Samantha Finn Age: 26 Occupation: Careergapper Project and Destination: Langa Langa in Kenya; teaching and building Advice for wannabe careergappers: Do it, do it, do it! I would recommend doing this to anyone: all you need is to have an open mind and be prepared for an adventure! Hi Samantha... so, when did you get back? Just last week What was the first thing that struck you about England when you got back? The availability of everything from electricity to all kinds of food to inane TV programmes! Missing East Africa? Oh my God! How can I describe it? It feels a bit like I've had my arm cut off: I felt so at home so quickly in Kenya it makes England seem very pale in comparison. Mostly I miss the people and the African pace of life. Remind us again what you did and for how long? I was working for five weeks in a little village called Langa Langa about 150km north of Nairobi. We were teaching and also building a library and staff-room at the local primary school. On my first day I was breaking up concrete with a pick-axe and within my first week teaching 12- to 13-year-olds science, a subject I had not studied in 10 years! I had no problem with the physical side of the building - it's so satisfying to see a building take shape from the determination of a small dedicated team - but I was quite nervous of the teaching as you realise the responsibility you have for these eager children. However, after my first class, which I taught with some fellow Madventurers, I felt much more confident and loved working with the children. By the end of the project, teaching my class was a highlight of the day.  What made you decide to take a careergap?I had done some travelling in the USA before but I've always wanted to visit Africa. I had been working for six months in a well-paid but very high-pressure job. I knew I needed a change of scene and after surfing the net for a few weeks, I knew I'd found the right project with Mad. It's scary giving up a job to go away and do this but I knew if I didn't do it I'd regret it. Do you think it was the right decision? Without a shadow of a doubt! Having done it, I know I've got the confidence to take risks in the future in order to achieve what I want with my life. I would recommend the experience to anyone, it toughens you up and makes you appreciate what you have. So, if you had to pick one word to describe your time away...? Released! Looking back, what was the most valuable part of your time away? Understanding the people. Their lives are so different from what we are used to, living in the UK. They have so little, yet they give everything in their spirit of welcoming you into their lives. Being humbled doesn't even begin to describe it. In five weeks we have made lifelong friends in Langa Langa and despite coming from completely different cultures we flourished on our project because we embraced the local people's way of life. Do you feel that your trip changed you at all? There is no doubt that I am a better person for doing the project. It might sound quite emotional but apart from the fact that we had a massive amount of fun and laughed so much we also learnt a lot about living without all the comforts of western society. It has made me a lot less demanding in terms of what I need to be happy. The children are inspirational as they are so rarely sad, always smiling, yet they may only eat one meal a day. All my friends and family tell me I seem a lot younger and happier since I went away and it's true! What was the most positive thing about the whole experience? For me it was about fulfilling a dream. I have always wanted to go Africa but what's best about it is, I did something for myself at the same time as helping a small community that cannot afford to invest much money into their children's education, something they value beyond all else. I travelled to Kenya the day Live 8 took place in London and I was proud that I was doing something much more that just donating money.  What was the most unexpected part of your trip away? The speed at which I felt at home in a place that was so new to me. On our project we had what would be considered some luxuries... an indoor flushing toilet and a shower, albeit cold. However, it is surprising how quickly you can go without usual comforts like electricity and hot water when you settle into a routine. Every morning arriving at the school to hear the children singing and laughing and joking with our 'fundis' (workers) made us feel so much part of the community that I never expected to find it so hard to leave. How did it feel finally unpacking your rucksack? Pretty sad. Having talked to some of my friends on the project, we all feel a bit shell-shocked to be back in England. I think it would take anyone some time to re-adjust to life back in the UK but the good thing is we have some great memories. My mementos are worn in the Maasai bracelets I have on my wrists but mainly just by thinking about all the fantastic things we have acheived makes me feel less sad. That, and also that I'm determined to go back! Do you have any advice to anyone thinking of taking a careergap? Do it, do it, do it! I had been out of Uni for five years and was a little worried that I would be the old-timer on the trip. I couldn't have been more wrong, despite the fact that most of my team was younger it never made the slightest bit of difference. In some ways I can appreciate this experience even more now as having worked for five years I think I have learnt more about the route I want my career to take in the future. I would recommend doing this to anyone, all you need to to do is have an open mind and be prepared for an adventure!  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