Live Your Dream

Live Your Dream

Hi, my name is Shirley Chan.  I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada and have travelled  halfway around the globe to live my dream by joining Tara’s team at Conservation Village as a conservation assistant.  I am here to learn about the amazing animals in South Africa and am especially interested in getting to know more about the magnificent leopard who call this part of the world “home”. 

Since arriving on Wednesday May 23, I have seen herds of wildebeest, kudu, water buck, bush buck, nyala, impala, warthog and zebra.  A family of giraffe live here as do flocks of yellow-fronted canaries.  While sighting leopards remains something to look forward to, I have helped to sort photos of leopards and other animals and have helped photograph, measure and record spoor and scat.  There is so much for an urban mole like me to learn!  I have no transferable skills from my previous life as public servant or senior executive.

Tara is a knowledgeable, skilled and patient teacher/guide and Toni, who is studying to become a field guide, is welcoming.  I can’t be happier even though temperatures drop to a low of 7C from a high of  29C; a change of 22 degrees in one day!  We cook over an open fire in the main building which is rather challenging for someone like me who prefers room service to camping.  The meals so far have been delicious and I get to take a turn at preparing a modified chicken cacciatore tonight. 

Finally, I am proud that I can manage the demands of schedule (6:30 am starts) and some hiking even though I turn 65 this September.   If you want to help conserve the habitat and lives of this diversity of animals, I encourage you to come and you’re your dream as volunteer or just visit www.ingweleopard.com and click on the ads or just donate.

Submitted by Shirley Chan, May 26, 2012.