Working in developing nations does mean that there are often surprises such as civil unrest and ensuing changes in governments which can make it a little more challenging for our teams and projects to achieve what they set out to do. Bolivia this year was proving particularly tricky. With issues about the destination for their natural gas resources, strikes and road blocks were preventing equipment and provisions from getting to the project site. These were seen as challenges rather than obstacles though, and as long as safety and foreign office advice was on side, they battled on through and showed a resolve to be proud of.

Surprisingly, our African countries were relatively stable and this brought on the decision to develop into another project in another country. Discussions with the charity Excellent Development had gone well and we put together our first team to help build our first sand dam in Kenya, providing year round water supplies to a rural village. This beautifully simple project was a privilege to be a part of, not least because the British person who managed the charity was the same person who managed to convince BBC football commentator Mark Lawrenson to shave off his moustache for charity - if only someone had sponsored him to resign from commentary!

This was also a year of big changes in the UK office. Running a gap year organisation, it only seemed fair that we offered the opportunity of a gap year to our staff as well. So Jonjon and Lucy went off on Bolivian mountaineering and elephant watching adventures respectively - good luck to you!