By this point, projects are starting to search us out. The project heads were keen to join forces with us thanks to the long term personal and financial commitment we could offer, while the local staff were looking forward to working and playing with the never-resting teams of leaders and volunteers our students had made us famous for! Two new conservation projects in South America began this year, both with Rainforest Concern in Ecuador, and we were extremely proud to be working with the communities of Yachana and Santa Lucia.

Also, yet another UK staff member had begun to make a lasting mark on the history of Quest. You may have worked out that pretty much 100% of the work Quest does with its projects and students is driven by pure passion for either the place, the people or the work that is going on. Well, last year, we were lucky enough to have Lucy King join us in our office in Clapham. She had lived and worked in Latin America and was bringing a new lease of life to the to-date all male office (we knew something wasn't quite right...). However, her real passion lay in Africa, and although she hid it well for the purposes of the job in hand, we could tell it was there. This was't right, we couldn't have someone feeling held back by mere geography!

So Quest Africa was conceived, and our first team of volunteers flew out to Swaziland to work in a number of game reserves for six weeks, and then followed it up by a mind-blowing expedition through five different countries - what a way to begin! Thank you Lucy, on behalf of everyone who has gone and will go to Africa with Quest.

The UK office was still hooked on Neighbours, not being disheartened by the death of Madge, the 1.40pm lunch break was still sacred!