Ten years ago this month I waved goodbye to my mum and boarded a plane to India. I was 22, alone and terrified. That trip was an eye-opening one for me. I spent a couple of months in India, working on a local magazine as part of a gap year placement, before heading to Sri Lanka and then Thailand to do some travelling.
Back then, as a young and ambitious 20-something, I harboured dreams of being a foreign correspondent. When I began my post-grad journalism course later that year I remember confidently telling people I wanted to report from places all around the world, bringing the stories of ordinary people in far-flung places into the living rooms of ordinary people in familiar places around the UK.
As my life progressed my dreams changed. I became a mum and suddenly the thought of working seven days a week away from home seemed less appealing. I still wanted to tell those stories and meet those people in far-flung places, but the logistics and the reality of life with a baby just didn’t fit. My perspective changed and, in many ways, my world got smaller.
Next month, almost ten years to the day that I boarded a plane to India, I’ll be boarding a plane to Sierra Leone in Africa. Like last time, I’ll be waving goodbye to my family, except this time there’s a husband and two little girls who I’ll be leaving behind.
To say I’m nervous is an under-statement. As a mum who’s not been apart from her youngest baby for more than a night, this is a big deal. It’s not the idea of the trip itself – although I know it’s probably going to be the most challenging thing I’ve ever done – it’s the fact I’m leaving my safe and familiar little sanctuary in Devon. I’ve never been this far away from the people I love before.
So why am I doing it?
Well, the answer is clear. It’s an incredible opportunity to work with a charity I’ve long admired and a chance to use this blog to tell some of those stories I once dreamed of sharing. I’ll be joining World Vision alongside fellow blogger Annie from Fable & Folk, to see the work being done in Sierra Leone since the Ebola crisis. Although the country’s been declared Ebola free, it’s still suffering from the effects of the disease which killed nearly 4,000 people in just 18 months. I’m going to be meeting some of the people putting the pieces of Sierra Leone back together, sharing their stories with you.
Why should you care?
Well, it’s like what my five year old said when I told her about the trip. “We’re all people aren’t we Mummy?”. We’re all humans. Mothers are mothers the world over. The life of a five year old in Sierra Leone is worth no less than the life of a five year old born right here in the UK. We’re all humans with the same love for our kids, capacity for joy, sadness, happiness and laughter. There is a world beyond our living rooms.
Tiny acts of kindness – a donation here, a tweet there – can come together to make a very real and huge difference. I hope you’ll come along with me for the ride and help me to share the stories of the people I meet when I’m there.
And just like that, suddenly the thought of being four and a half thousand miles away from my family doesn’t feel so scary after all.
Ps I wanted to be editor of Vogue-I don’t think my life could be more different ha ha
Oh wow that is such an amazing opportunity but more than that, very brave of you to do it. I can’t wait to read all about it 🙂
Thank you! Not sure about the brave bit but you’re right, it IS an amazing opportunity. I can’t wait to share some of the stories and learn about the inspirational people I’ll no doubt meet when I’m there. x
Molly bless your big heart! amazing opportunities for you to make a difference and bring their world closer to ours…go you!!
PS I lived in West Africa for awhile in my 30’s so I understand a little of what you will be facing. Xxx
What a lovely comment, thank you! I’m sure I’ll be tapping you up for some advice and tips just before I go, now I know you’ve lived in that part of the world. xx
This is such amazing news! I am sure you will be an amazing ambassador and help to bring home to people the reality of life in Sierra Leone. Many years ago when I was fresh out of uni I worked with a charity helping Roma orphans in Eastern Europe, and it was one of the most emotional but most rewarding things I have ever done, and while you will probably miss your babies like mad, I bet you will meet loads of amazing children out there. Good luck! Can’t wait to read about it. x
This will be an incredible experience, you are the right person to give a digital and amplified voice to the people you meet Sierra Leone. I’m sure it will be hard and emotional but it will be so, so worth it. Well done you. You will be ace.
You’ll have an amazing time Molly but expect to be really challenged too. Bless you, mich x
Your will be a fantastic ambassador for us from the UK Molly. I can if you want start to gather books for children to take with you? Airlines will sometimes allow free baggage for humanitarian reasons. What do think? I’d need you to help… Love xxx
Can’t wait to hear about ur travels and adventures, good luck with it all, how long u going for Molly? X
Ah thanks Emma! It’s from Sunday to Thursday. My mum’s coming over to help with the girls and take on school run duties!
This is INCREDIBLE Molly. Randomly just last night I was saying to Jay id love to do something like this. Good for you and I can’t wait to read all about it xx
Ah thank you Charlie! I just hope I can do it all justice! xx
Actually I wish I was coming with you!