My First Trip to South Africa: From Hesitation to Experience
My husband, Wayde Schroeder, has been traveling to South Africa since 2021, and he has truly been my inspiration. When he first started going, I was a flat-out no—there was no way I was getting on a plane for that long to go to Africa. But over the years, as he continued to travel and talk about how much he loved it there, it became increasingly intriguing to me.
During those years, he also met other individuals and couples who had traveled to South Africa and were involved in humanitarian work. Hearing about their experiences made me want to experience it firsthand.
Traveling Outside the United States
This was my first time leaving the United States, aside from a Caribbean cruise. I knew it was going to involve a lot of travel, and I definitely had some doubts. I remember thinking, “Is this going to be worth it? A 15-hour plane ride is a long time.”
Preparing for the Trip
Most of my preparation came from my husband and his past experiences—what he thought I should bring and what to expect. We also worked with the Goulet Cares Project and the Amy Bell Blue Bag Project with MN SCI to gather the donations we would bring with us. Before the trip, I had helped pick out items to donate, so I already felt connected to the process.
When it came to transporting the donations, we were very lucky. There were no challenges. We checked the blue bags for our flight, and they arrived in South Africa at the same time we did.
First Impressions of Africa
When I stepped off the plane, my first feeling was excitement about the unknown. I had a lot of questions running through my mind—How is this going to be? What will it be like?
Taking in the African landscape was incredible. It really is like what you see in the movies, and I was honestly surprised by that. One of the first things that stood out to me was how red the dirt is. I kept wondering, how does it get so red?
Another thing I noticed right away was how peaceful everything felt. There were no honking cars, no planes flying overhead—just the sounds of animals and the smell of the earth.
I was also surprised to see how many people go barefoot. It’s completely normal there. I even noticed people going into stores without wearing shoes.
Visiting the Orphanage
Our visit to the orphanage was something I will never forget. Everyone was so nice and happy to see us. The children were excited, energetic, and very curious. They were especially interested in the fact that we were from the United States and asked us lots of questions.
One thing that really stood out to me was when some of the kids asked why we would want to come to their country because it was so “boring.” That caught me off guard, because from my perspective, there was nothing boring about it.
When we delivered the donations, it was a warm, sunny day, and we were gathered outside while the kids played. They were so excited and very grateful. It was a simple moment, but it meant a lot.
One moment that stayed with me was when a little girl asked if she could come back to America with us. That was hard to hear, knowing that it wasn’t possible.
Experiences That Changed Me
We also visited a local school to watch the kids participate in track and field. What I learned from that experience is that they truly live in the moment. They enjoy what is happening right now and don’t worry about tomorrow, next week, or next month.
While traveling to and from our destinations, I saw poverty in ways I hadn’t before—people living in tin shacks and others standing in the middle of the road selling items to make money. It was eye-opening.
At the same time, I noticed how people are grateful for what they have. They aren’t always striving for more—they are happy with what they have in the moment. There is also a strong sense of community, with people helping each other however they can, whether that’s sharing money or food.
Challenges and Realizations
There really weren’t any major challenges during the trip. One morning, the power was out, so we just adjusted our plans for the day.
If I ever felt overwhelmed, I would take a few moments for myself—reading a book or just taking some quiet time.
The biggest misconception I had before going was that South Africa is unsafe. That turned out not to be true at all. I never once felt unsafe during my trip. Like anywhere, there may be areas you avoid, but overall, I felt completely comfortable.
Looking Back
In the short term, the donations provided items such as clothes and backpacks. But in the long term, I believe the bigger impact is building connections with organizations that can continue to support them, including helping improve their building.
This trip was very eye-opening for me. It showed me how differently another country operates and even made me realize how expensive things are in the United States compared to how affordable they are in South Africa.
Would I Go Back?
Yes, absolutely. I would go back, and the only thing I would do differently is stay longer.
If there’s one thing I would want others to take away from my story, it’s this: if you’ve ever had any interest in going to South Africa but feel hesitant, just go. It’s beautiful, it’s safe, and the people are friendly and welcoming.
Submitted by Jen Schroeder
Written and edited by Haylee Goulet
