John Smart (bottom left) with a group of Botswanan children and other volunteers.
FOUR Toodyay residents were among an 11-strong contingent who travelled to the African country Botswana as volunteers to build two houses.
Under the auspices of the Seventh Day Adventist Church the volunteers built a home for the teachers of 100 orphaned children and another for the kindergarten teachers.
John Smart was one of those who went to Botswana, describing it as the “experience of a lifetime”.
“We spent a month in Botswana mixing with the local people and made trips into more primitive areas,” he said.
“Not only did we experience their culture, we also experienced how people with so little could be so pleasant and happy.”
Perth lecturer Dr Greg Whyte was the main co-ordinator of the project and also organised trips to Zimbabwe for a visit to Victoria Falls and a safari into nature reserves where the group saw lions, giraffes, elephants, springboks, hyenas, zebras, hippos and baboons in their natural habitat.
The Minister for Health visited the project and expressed his gratitude.
“We are also grateful for the generous donations from the people of Northam, in particular the Inner Wheel ladies and the Rotary Club of Northam,” Mr Smart said.
“The money raised from the donations went to purchase building materials and transportation of material in a container to Botswana.”
Anyone who is interested in participating in overseas volunteer projects can call Mr Smart on 9574 2339.
