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Name: Ali Zachar
Age: 26
Status: Careergapper
Country: Ghana
 Hi Ali, what was your motivation for the trip
To give something back and do something completely and utterly different!
When did you get back?
I’ve been back a week and I’m still struggling to get back to reality!
What was the first thing that struck you about England when you got back?
How cold, grey and dreary it felt! So much for arriving back when Spring had sprung - it’s freezing!
Missing Ghana?
Yep - I’d go back tomorrow if I could!
 Remind us again what you did and for how long?
I spent five weeks with Madventurer in Liati Wote, teaching in the JSS and Vocational College, and helping to complete the clinic in the village. We built the kitchen and storeroom and plastered and painted the inside and outside of the main building and newly constructed storeroom. I finished my sabbatical with an amazing three week road trip 'Mad to Timbuktu' and back! Was such a cool adventure!
So, if you had to pick one word to describe your time away?
Awesome!
Looking back, what was the most valuable part of your time away?
Living in an African village was pretty special. I felt really at home, and it was such a joy to spend time with people where materialism just doesn’t matter.Their enthusiasm and love of life is really contagious, and you can’t help but get caught up in the relaxed and happy Ghanaian way of life.
 Do you feel that your trip changed you at all?
No question at all. It really helped to put things into perspective and helped me re-evaluate the next stage of my life.
What was the most positive thing about the whole experience?
Spending time with a really great group of people - both the project group and Madventurer crew leaders, and the locals. I’ve definitely made some new friends for life - friends with whom I’ve got something really special in common now and some great memories too.
What was the most unexpected part of your trip away?
Learning what really is important. I never doubted that I would have an amazing trip, but I never imagined it would affect me as much as it did.
 How did it feel finally unpacking your rucksack?
I’ve still not completely unpacked! I know that when I do, it’ll be final that I’m really back to reality, so subconsciously, if I don’t fully unpack, then I’m not properly back for good!
Been bitten by the travel bug?
Absolutely, definitely, 100%, no question at all!
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