Watamu Turtles Programme Feedback
Sofia Gothlin, aged 18, from Sweden, spent one month with Watamu in August 2011
The time in Watamu was incredible! Couldn't have been better; The accommondation, the people I was able to work with and all the amazing projects I got to be a part of. I will definitely go back some time to work with them again. I have nothing bad to say really, and I can absolutely recomend this project for other volunteers!
Sian Sidaway volunteered with the Watamu programme in Summer 2011, and describes the experience
It was an amazing experience, that has changed what I want to do when I graduate from university. It was so rewarding giving my time and seeing the differences that were being made. The work that the staff are doing is amazing, and it shows that they enjoy the work that they do. I particularly enjoyed working with Fikiri and Kahindi. Both of them are self taught and not only took the time to talk to you about the turtles and let you get involved but they also took the time to talk about life in Kenya.
The staff were amazing and from day one I was involved with all of the tasks including; looking after the sick turtles in the rehabilitation centre, feeding them and applying medication, going out on rescues in Watamu as well as some further afield, educating children and adults that visited the rehabilitation centre, doing night patrols for nesting turtles and hatching nests, nest relocation, beach surveys and even doing a dissection of a turtle that unfortunately passed away.
I experienced things that are once in a lifetime everyday which was truly extraordinary and I hope to return again next year to see how all of the turtle are doing although a lot of them have been released back into the wild now already, which is amazing and feels great to have had a part in their recovery.
My favourite part was seeing the nests hatch and the young hatchlings running down the beach. We had to build runways to aid them into the sea, as well as returning 4 days after the hatch to do a nest excavation to calculate the nest success. It was amazing when there were still some hatchlings in the nest as they would have died without us helping them out.
I met some truly amazing people that I will keep in touch with. The other volunteers were all just as hard working and came from a variety of backgrounds so was a good experience to meet them too. The accommodation was by far the best volunteer accommodation I have ever seen as well and the two cooks were lovely. Each day they prepared lunch for all of us and the entire staff sat and ate together which meant me we picked up on a lot of Swahili and got to eat local foods.
An amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone looking for something life changing.
Sian Sidaway
1. What was the most positive aspect of the volunteering with WTW?
Learning what goes into turtle conservation to save these magnificent sea creatures for future generations – I loved digging, excavating, releasing – being hands on after years in an office was great.
Seeing baby turtles hatch from their nest – amazing!
Touching a turtle and releasing it for first time – swimming back to sea to freedom – what a great feeling!
Seeing kisumni back in the ocean – her natural habitat.
Helping out National Geographic knowing that this program will be shown to millions worldwide – spreading the message.
Of course – a great insight into conservation. It has got my passion for conserving animals stirred up and ready to take on other projects around the world!
Very easy. You have access to just about everything. I think it is important for a solo volunteer staying in new accommodation out of town to get the chance to experience the village life. It could be quite isolating for them if they are shy and a bit culture shocked. Might need to organise a few nights out in the village for the younger students. Otherwise Mama Diwani’s was great!