JAKE Bushell is about to embark on what he describes as “the experience of a lifetime”.
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The 25-year-old from Warrnambool will fly to Kenya later this month for a five-week stint volunteering at a Nairobi school, introducing youngsters to sports like Australian Rules football, basketball and cricket.
Mr Bushell will live with a host family in the Kenyan capital and said he was nervous yet excited at the same time.
“It’s going to be an eye-opener that’s for sure,” Mr Bushell said.
“I just think we are so lucky in Australia to have the opportunities we have got.
“Some of these kids are born in to poverty and don’t really have a chance from the day they are born.
“I wanted to do something to help while gaining a new experience. I heard about the International Volunteers HQ (IVHQ) program and decided to give it a go.”
IVHQ is a volunteering travel company established in 2007 for travellers who want to make a difference and works in 25 countries.
Mr Bushell said he was going in “a little bit blind” about his specific role, but had been in touch with other people who had volunteered with the company.
“They said it was a brilliant experience and really rewarding,” he said.
“I’m not really sure what the program involves. What I know is what I’ve read on the company’s website.
“I’m heading to Thailand after Kenya. If all goes well I might sign up for another program in south-east Asia straight away.”