£1 loan payments, orangutans and learning it doesn't all happen overnight...

DedicatedDFW

Hi beccie and everyone :wave:

I've not read all the posts so first of all congratulations on the amount you have paid off and your motivation and determination which are inspiring I currently have 2 jobs also and know how tiring that can be - so to do 3 shows real commitment - and is also something i've considered to get the money in :cool:

I wanted to ask you which company you arranged to work with animals abroad with or if you can recommend any companies? It has been a dream of mine since childhood and i'm not getting any younger :rotfl::rotfl: I confessed this to OH the other day and he is very keen too :T:T:T So would be grateful for any advice / recommendations if thats ok

Kepp

Hi Emz, hope you had a lovely time and plenty of sunshine

Hi DFW, nice to meet someone else with too many jobs!

The lion place in Zimbabwe I've been too twice can be booked through African Impact , the wildlife place I went to in Namibia is called Harnas which can be booked through a couple of companies but I would recommend going direct and the orangutan sanctuary in Borneo can only be booked through Travellers.

Out of those I would recommend Harnas the most, it's the most variety in terms of work and plenty to get involved in. It's also the place that lets you work the most independently and come up with ideas to help. I was a team leader there for 3 months and loved every minute of the things that were thrown at you every day!

I loved Zimbabwe as a country and the people there are some of the nicest I have ever met. However, the time there is very structured which some people struggled with and of course it is just lions (and a small amount of time with horses and elephants when they require extra help) If you like some time with people too I also helped out at an AIDs orphanage while there.

Orangutans were amazing but there is a two year waiting list to go, so not so good if you are looking to go soon! I also had a few issues with Travellers as a company. It turned out they took a 25% cut of what was believed to be a charity donation from each volunteer and failed to earn it in my opinion.

I would recommend choosing your favourite animal/country or type of project (there's also some excellent places you can help such as orphanages and schools) and then do a search. There's a huge amount of projects around. I would then recommend contacting the place direct and arrange with them if you can. Agencies tend to charge a fee on top that doesn't benefit the project you're going to.
Let me know if there's any place that you're thinking of - I've now met a lot of people who have been to a lot of different ones and I can ask around for opinions for you.

Sorry to waffle on there!

Had a lovely evening in Marlowe and stayed overnight on Friday night. My brother took me, OH and some friends to the Hand and Flowers restaurant (owned by the guy from the Great British Menu). It was amazing food and strangely I ended up having a drink with Chris Evans at the end of the night!

Saturday night I went to a slightly damp barbecue but was still a lot of fun. Got in at 5am on Sunday so was a bit tired. Went to go change the new top I bought for the casting day this week but they didn't have another size so will have to put up with it! They have emailed again to say it will be interviews and photos and I need to bring a bikini :eek: I'm going to spend all day trying to suck my stomach in!

£10 to the loan

DedicatedDFW

Thanks for all the details beccie - i'll look through the links you've put on when i'm not at work later in the week and will have a good think about the animals i want to work with

Good luck with your casting day too :T

Kepp

£10 to the loan

Kepp

Just done a little bit of calculating - if I can hit the following percentage goals by the end of each month I can be debt-free by October 2012.

Wonder if it's possible?

Sept 11 - 49%
Oct 11 - 53%
Nov 11 - 57%
Dec 11 - 61%
Jan 12 - 65%
Feb 12 - 69%
Mar 12 - 73%
Apr 12 - 77%
May 12 - 81%
Jun 12 - 85%
Jul 12 - 89%
Aug 12 - 93%
Sep 12 - 97%
Oct 12 - 100%

LittleMoog

If anyone can do it, you can! Keep up the good work

Kepp

Thanks Jules

£16 to the loan today, slowly but surely

Kepp

Another £16 to the loan

Casting day tomorrow! :eek: Have managed to lose 2lbs (not easy on the short notice would have liked to have done more) but am still less than confident for the bikini part Am going to have to go into it acting like I just don't care though!

LittleMoog

oooh exciting! good luck, fingers crossed for you

Emzilla

Good luck for tomorrow Beccie. I'm sure you'll do great :j

Emz xx