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My African Experience
by Scott Walker
Scott Walker was on the European Youth Ranger Programme run in 1999. This programme was for disadvantaged young people in various countries throughout Europe and funded under an EEC programme. Scott attended the UK course in Peak District NP and was subsequently selected to attend the World Parks Congress in Durban; South Africa in 2003. This is part of his congress report to the Jacobs Foundation who generously sponsored his trip to WPC Durban.
The journey
I woke up and realized I’d only been asleep 2 hours - excitement was not
letting me sleep. I watched the time go by and checked over my luggage several
times before my taxi arrived. It was a long ride in heavy London traffic to
reach Heathrow airport. When I arrived I was amazed how large it was and I realised
this was just the beginning of what would be the most eye-opening and fantastic
thing I had ever done. After a long 11 hour flight I arrived at Jo’burg
airport and was met off the plane by a local volunteer who took my luggage for
me. He waited with me until my flight to Durban. It was humble to have met such
a nice person on arrival to a foreign land. I arrived at the hotel in Durban
where I was met by some friendly faces that I recognised from my experience
in Derbyshire on the Youth Ranger Programme.
The first week
My first few days were split between meeting members of the International Ranger
Federation from all over the world; in setting-up the IRF display “kiosk”
plus getting to know the people I would be working with while in Africa. It
was during the first week when I suddenly realised how big this event was and
how so much good could come out of it. I should have known that at the opening,
with such a large attendance of 3000 delegates and with VIPs like Nelson Mandela
and the Queen of Jordan. I really enjoyed being on a youth panel and of feeling
that I contributed to the outcome of the Youth Policies of the Congress.
Every night at 18:00 the rangers would meet up to talk about issues and share information about the various lectures and presentations they had attended. It was overwhelming for me to see all these people with the same ideas and dedication towards protected areas; young people, and the welfare of the individuals who work in conservation. For me it was inspiring to see such unity and dedication.
Into the bush
By the end of the first week I was starting to feel at home in Africa and was
beginning to bond with local people I’d met working in the conference
hotels. They would talk about my country and how they would like to live and
work here in the UK. I was always talked to and treated no differently than
if I was African myself. I also realised how safe, lucky and privileged I was
compared with some of the people I met. I was not booked on any conference trips,
but the local rangers had arranged a trip for me to go to the bush with a most
highly respected conservationist who was known throughout the world for his
achievement in protecting the Rhino.
We set off, just me and him. It was amazing to hear his stories about the history and the progression of South Africa. But most of all I loved listening to this man of so much knowledge and experience. I heard about how rangers had to be in the bush on their own often for days and even weeks. He also told me about the local tribes as we passed through their arid lands. It was amazing how he had come through so much and done so much in just a lifetime. "The worst bit of the trip was saying goodbye to all the people I met at the Congress".
We spent 3 days in a number of locations in the eastern side of South Africa crossing different habitats and environments like: forest plantations; mountains; desert; lakes; rivers and scrubland. We stayed in a hut within a protected game reserve and sat around chatting in the twilight. It was so nice to be in such a magical place. The next day we drove through a reserve and I saw rhino, impala, lions and buffalo. There were species of birds I’d never seen before and insects the size of my hands.
It was great to see these fantastic creatures and I hope I get to see them again. The highlight for me was to see a mother rhino and her calf walking just feet from the car I was in. The local Zulu people were very friendly and I saw that they have used their skills to help protect the reserve. These few days were so hard to put into words as of the whole 2 weeks.
Goodbye
The worst bit of the trip was saying goodbye to all the people I met at the
Congress. This had been by far the most enjoyable and life-changing experience
since having my children. I’m proud of being there at the World Parks
Conference as part of the IRF delegation and most of all thankful for all the
support and help I received, without which I would not be writing this.
I look back to just before I went on the pilot Youth Ranger Programme and I am amazed with how far I’ve come. Doing drugs and living in a cold and lonely flat - that was me in 1998. Now with all the training, encouragement, support and principles of the programme, I have moved forward and never looked back. All the skills I’ve learnt from these rangers are now being passed on through me to my young students. Again thanks to every person involved with the project and I hope it continues around the world, giving other young people the chance to move on.
Scott Walker: Lowestoft College