Ruth

My cross-cultural placement was to Bourofaye Christian School (BCS), teaching everyone from Kindergarten to year 9, and almost every subject. I didn’t have a formal teaching qualification, but by the end of my time there, I had taught every child in the school but one! However, I felt as though I had learned far more from the school than anyone learned from me.

I first got involved with WEC because I didn’t want to go to university. Or rather, God wouldn’t let me go to university; every time I tried to even choose a place or subject, I became really anxious. It’s hard to explain, but I eventually figured out God was trying to tell me something.

I met some amazing people from all over the world – I have friends now on four different continents – and I learned a lot about working with other cultures.

I had heard about a wonderful school in Africa, so I looked at WEC’s short-term opportunities. I say ‘opportunities’ because I never really saw myself as a potential ‘missionary’; I just wanted to do something useful. Eventually, I applied, looking to be a teacher at this wonderful school.

At BCS, I met some amazing people from all over the world – I have friends now on four different continents – and I learned a lot about working with other cultures. I thoroughly fell in love with the work, the children, the school community and, of course, Africa itself. I went for a gap year, but ended up staying for three years!