By NICOLE WILLIAMS
MIRINDA Thorpe calls Pakenham Upper home, but the 25-year-old’s heart is in Africa.
She has visited the continent four times in seven years, firstly as a volunteer and now leads volunteer trips.
“I fell in love with the continent, its wildlife, landscapes, people and culture upon my first two month volunteer trip,” she said.
“Now at age 25 and my fourth trip here, I have had the pleasure of sharing my life and love of Africa with a group of Australians, including my Mum and one New Zealander.”
She led her first group of volunteers in July, visiting a Nairobi slum school, great migration safari, rafting on the Nile and the first group of foreign visitors to Joyland Academy Kenya.
Mirinda and her mum, Kerrie Thorpe continued the journey after the other volunteers departed, taking in a range of education, ecotourism, environmental and wildlife projects in Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
“This was also my mother’s dream, which led us to the current destination in Zimbabwe, where one lady has been living, studying and protecting the hippo for over 20 years,” said Mirinda from Kimbabwe.
“Karen Paolillo became a good friend during my first visit as a volunteer over one and a half years ago, when I stayed on as house-sitter in their bush home by the hippos and plethora of wildlife.”
Even though her mother has returned to Pakenham Upper, Mirinda is still ensconced in the volunteer lifestyle in Africa, volunteering with the Turgwe Hippo Trust.
“Staying and volunteering with Karen and the hippos, as well as her friend’s wildlife sanctuary, Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary, I have learned of people’s passion prevailing against the odds and rediscovered my passion for animals, wildlife and the planet,” she said.
Mirinda is helping with the hippo feeding program to get the hippos through to the rains, as they cannot move freely in search of food.
“I have spent the past seven years working, volunteering and exploring the many projects, individuals, organisations, communities and opportunities in Africa and Australia to find where to focus my energies,” Mirinda said.
“Throughout this journey I have met many inspirational individuals from children making a difference in their communities to retirees in their nineties still serving their planet.”
To find out more information about the volunteer trips contact Mirinda on www.facebook.com/mirinda.thorpe or mirinda.t@hotmail.com
To support the Turgwe Hippo Trust visit www.savethehippos.com
