A chance meeting whilst dusting down my khaki shorts in Africa after university caused a major u-turn to my own career. Programmed for a life of corporate suits (or so I thought!) I’ve ended up in more casual attire travelling the world seeking out people, places and causes whose lives can be turned around with a little help from the ever eager gapper, through our Gap year company The Leap.

My first and most memorable experience was nogotiating the rivers of remote (with capital R) Kalimantan to seek out the chief of a community who could and should help with rescuing orangutans.  Sitting in his banana leaf house, listening to the World Service with a couple of cokes was a rather surreal moment but lead to great changes as many a Leap gapper gave up their time to help educate the villagers about the importance of their large orange friends.

I’m proud of our hands on impact with overseas development and wouldn’t exchange my Northface for Prada for anything (actually… that’s not true!). Over the last 15 years we’ve sent hundreds of Leap gappers on life changing adventures all over Africa, Asia and South America.  They have given up their time to bring fresh water to villages in Kenya, educated families about the benefits of mosquito nets in Ecuador, rescued stray Rhino in South Africa, taught orphans in Cambodia and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

But the life-changing effect of volunteering works both ways.  As our Leap gappers step out of their comfort zone, they find themselves in situations that challenge their preconceptions and face experiences that will stretch their abilities, developing skills and attitudes that prepare them for adult life. As a father once said “…My son went out as a rather irresponsible boy and thankfully returned home a more considerate, compassionate and responsible man – we are very proud.”  That pride comes with good reason considering his son was part of a team that designed and built fresh water wells in remote villages in Kenya, taught local kids the importance of hygiene and contributed to a startling decline in water borne diseases in the area over the following years. And all this was achieved in between weekends spent kite surfing and learning the art of scuba on the Indian Ocean.

So if you have time on your hands take The Leap, get out there, get stuck in and make a difference.

For more information call us at The Leap on 01672519922

Or via www.theleap.co.uk