The Journey Begins...

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22 more sleeps until Cambodia!

Why might you be asking have I decided to leave both my job and my appartment to embark on this adventure to Cambodia?

Well, having gone through life I did the usual school, college, university, job. There I was sat in my lovely appartment earlier this year applying my fake nails and I really took a serious look at my life. This was something I had needed to do for a long time as it was bugging me. I had everything on the surface, I was educated, I had a good job, a lovely place to live, great friends and family and a wide variety of hobbies and interests. But this wasn't enough. Somehow it all seems rather shallow. I found a good description of what I was experiencing on this website:

- Mid-Twenties Crisis
Vast numbers of people mid-way through the start of promising careers realize that this is not what they wanted to do their whole lives! This often coincides with finally paying off the debts from university educations, or the saving of enough money to put a deposit on a house, and then realizing that there is more to life than careers, office politics and material things, like increasing the size of the DVD collection. One massive positive out of all these negatives is that confused, possibly disillusioned career people can embark on one the most worthwhile experiences of their lives, which might well be life changing.

Typical characteristics : Often the lone traveller, usually from a 'good job', discovering more about themselves than they had ever imagined. They are often found in very adventurous situations!

It seems to fit perfectly!
I have always wanted to help people and had it in the back of my mind I would do some voluntary work in a third world country at some point. I was going to do this straight after University but when I left I had no money and was completely thrown (as many ex-students are) at having to move back in with 'the parents' penniless and confused at what my next step was. After temping I got a job working with 3-5year olds. Although I enjoy working with the children a lot and will be greatly saddened to leave them after 2 years I felt the time was right for a change.

I began to look into charities and voluntary work abroad on the internet but to my alarm I found many organisations which make a profit from volunteers making it almost into an industry type buisness. Luckily I stumbled across 'Globalteer' a non for profit organisation and having researched into it felt this was the right choice for me.

So after filling out an application form I was accepted on one of the projects:
www.gracehousecambodia.org
After that it meant telling my boss I was leaving for good. It was nerve racking going to tell her and I think she was a little surprised but gave me her full support.

The next step was fundraising some money to go. I was sponsored by the Peppard Educational Trust and I successfully held a quiz and supper night which raised £450. My Mum has organised a Christmas concert for tomorrow which includes a nativity play! I have been totally overwhelmed by people's generosity and support towards my adventure and I feel so lucky to have all this interest.

I'll keep you posted!
x Ellie x

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Comments

[BMWman]

great blog entry!
Hey Ellie, I think this is a great blog entry and absolutely the right thing for you to do. You will have a blast. Love Al