Quest Overseas - Gap Year Travel

With Michael Jacksons 'This Is It' out in cinemas across the country Michael Jackson is hot topic.  Check out Jon Cassidy in the lead role as he and the kids of Villa Maria perform their own version of Thriller!

At Quest Overseas we pride ourselves on worthwhile projects that mean both volunteers and host communities benefit from the work that's done.  That's why Quest Overseas Director Jon Cassidy is currently out visiting our projects in South America.  This week he has been checking up on our Villa Maria Project in Peru.  Quest have been working here since 1998 and it remains our longest running project.

The Shewula community are moving ahead with the plan to introduce 6 giraffe into the Shewula Nature Reserve using funds from Quest Overseas volunteers.  They’ve had a series of meetings with the community and the chiefs inner council. The rules have been finalized and now the document must be signed by the chief after a community general meeting.

To protect the new introductions from poachers the community have mobilised volunteers from different areas who will start working on law enforcement after the appropriate training.

The 6 giraffe are set to be released in May 2010 which coincides with the Quest Overseas Gap Team.  Check out the project here and have the chance to be part of this important event which will help Shewula which is Swaziland’s first community eco-tourism project.

Lubombo Conservancy Reserve Guide to Shewula, Mlawula and Mbuluzi

The Quest Overseas Parents' Adventure is in full swing and time is absolutely flying. After spending time in the stunning Galapaogos Islands, snorkelling, relaxing and getting up close and personal with some fantastic wildlife, the intrepid bunch headed down to Lima in Peru to visit Villa Maria, our longest running project.

Tomorrow they will be tackling the Inca Trail - with 4 days of trekking and Dead Woman's Pass (at an altitude of a huge 4,200m) ahead of them the next few days will be a challenge, but certainly worth it when they arrive at the beautiful ruins of Machu Picchu. With stunning views and ancient Incan ruins along the way let's hope the weather holds out for them!

So often the kids seem to get all the fun!  Well an intrepid team of parents will spend the next 3 weeks experiencing some of the best sites, sounds and tastes that South America has to offer, lead by one of our most experienced Leaders Simon Tierney.