Chattering Teeth and My Malawi Adventure

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I thought I'd start my blog by telling you about the roller coaster of emotions I've experienced leading up to my new adventure!

Yes my teeth really have been chattering!

I've always had a strong desire to help others and since surviving breast cancer 6.5 years ago (yes the half makes a difference) I've also developed a strong desire for new experiences and adventure. Basically living life fully!

So what better way to fulfill both desires than volunteering for charities overseas!
www.afid.org.uk in a nutshell is a social enterprise that helps find qualified accountants who are willing to volunteer their time to help charities strengthen their bookkeeping and accounting systems. It's essential because the information that comes out of their accounting systems affects decisions that are made and that includes whether donors are willing to support the charity. So for any AAT students who are reading this - I'm basically doing an Internal Controls and Accounting Systems (level 4) project in Malawi! See - that unit really does add value to your training 😊
<address> </address><address>So getting back to the emotional roller coaster: Well I have 20 years' experience running small businesses and just over 10 years' experience teaching bookkeeping and accounts. Yet still my biggest fear is 'Can I really do this? Do I really know what I'm doing? Can I transfer my skills to a charity? Especially a charity in another country! Am I brave enough to travel alone?' And then the endless 'what if scenarios' kept entering my mind. Some really quite unpleasant! To cut a long story short I dealt with this by discussing all of the above with my family, friends, colleagues and AfID which made the decision making process much easier. I also did endless amounts of research!</address>



Every now and again people say 'you're so brave' and I'm thinking 'well brave or stupid? We'll soon find out' :D 'When' I'm having a meltdown (what an earth am I doing moments) I read the wonderful blogs from other AfID volunteers. These are often advertised via AfID on Facebook and Twitter, probably their website too.

So I'm off on Thursday, less than 48 hours away EEEEEEEK! I'm praying my adventure and my blog will inspire others, like others have inspired me. 😊))

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Comments

[Anna Ashbarry]

Good luck!
Wow mum as if you are leaving us in less than 48 hours!!I don't know how we will live without you for three whole weeks! We are all so proud of you, your are a strong inspirational women who your children look up to :) we will miss you! I hope you have an amazing time! We love you!

[Rach]

How amazing
Have a fab time, what an amazing thing you are doing, a true inspiriation. I look forward to the updates.

[Sharon Melanie Ashley-Ward]

Go 4 It!
Have a great time, what a fab thing to do, I too being a breast cancer survivor totally am in tune with your desire to do this, travel, see the world and put your knowledge to good use. Proud to know you and be one of your students and you have given me real inspiration! Shar :)

[Alison]

Inspiring
Wow. Well done you Sonya. What an amazing thing to do. Don't forget to enjoy the journey too!

[Fiona Talbot]

Soaring to new heights!
Sonya, with you the sky is not the limit - and that's why we love and respect you so much :-) Yet you remain grounded too and a safe pair of hands who helps all around her. No need for your teeth to chatter: it's going to go brilliantly. Yes, you'll transfer your skills to those in Malawi who will really benefit - and guess what? They'll transfer lots of great knowledge to you. That's what travelling and immersing in different cultures does for us all :-) Good luck - and I for one will be waiting for each instalment of your blog with bated breath! Fiona

[Clare Cooper]

Good luck!
I think it's a great thing you're doing Sonya, and as it is now Thursday I'm imagining you on the plane on your way! Look forward to the next installment :-)

[Sheena xx]

Are you nearly there yet? pmsl xx
Moni Sonya. Lovin your blog page! Hope you're having/had a good journey. I've said it before but I really do hope you get everythin you want from the experience and hope you get lots of enjoyment while you're there. I'll be checkin every day for more entries, hopefully with a few pics!! Can't wait to see you xx \O/ xx