Veronika Reeves

1. How did you find about CWB?

I found out about CWB from a round robin email that came out to cricket coaches a couple years ago.

2. What were your reasons for going on a CWB project?

Always wanted to volunteer in Africa and this seemed like a great opportunity to help tackle a huge problem (HIV/AIDS) and at the same time see a new country and meet new people.

3. How did you raise your money for the trip?

Fundraising has been fun. We organised a concert at the local village hall, where all our friends sung, danced, recited etc. The following year the main fundraising even was a party, to which we asked our friends to bring £10 each and a bottle of wine and we supplied the food. It was a great success and we raised about £800.

4. Describe your CWB experience in 3 words?

Definitely worth it!

5. Favourite moment of the trip?

There are many. Hearing children calling to each other: 'be faithful to me!' must be one of them.

6. Biggest challenge of the trip?

I always find that leaving the country, the teachers and the children, and coming back to the UK is very, very difficult.

7. What three things learn from your trip?

That I can cope with huge numbers of children, that I can coach deaf children and that when people really want to get on together, they can! And it doesn't matter whether there are 6 or 12 people in the team.

8. What was the best thing about the country you visited?

I visited Botswana and Uganda and they both charmed me. Especially the friendly people and their enthusiasm for a new, weird game called cricket. Uganda tugged on my heart strings because it's so beautiful and green.

9. What is the best advice you could give to potential volunteers?

Don't hesitate. Just go!

10. Have you continued to be involved with CWB since returning and would you go on another trip?

Since coming  back from my first trip I have been involved with CWB and became part of the HIV/AIDS group. I have been to Africa 3 times with CWB since then and hope to go back as much as I can!