Giving the Gift of Gratitude

Audley clients Susan and Chuck brought their grandchildren and extended family to South Africa for a trip that ended up both creating memories and providing a meaningful education

By Audley Travel

November 13^th, 2018

Susan and Chuck wanted a trip that was as much about exploring a new place as it was about bringing their family together. With the decision made to go to South Africa they involved their two children Irene and Clay in the planning process as well as their four grandchildren. Working with Africa Country Specialist Hailey the trip was designed to reflect the preferences of all ten family members creating an experience where everyone could enjoy each others company and learn more about the world.

Below Susan and Chuck share a bit of their incredible trip with us and the lasting impact that it had on both them and their grandchildren.

Why was traveling with your Grandchildren important to you?

We wanted to help our grandchildren gain a more worldly outlook in order to expand their world view. We know firsthand that being able to see other ways of living in a different culture, and to know that the way they were raised is not the “only” way, is invaluable to understanding differences in people all over the world. We wanted our grandchildren to experience this.

Why did you pick South Africa as your destination?

We liked the blend of many different cultures in South Africa. We loved that there is rich, important and accessible history, as well as the beautiful landscape with unique animals.

How did you involve your grandchildren in the planning process?

We asked the grandchildren what was important for them to see when they went to another country. Of course, we were all excited about the safari aspect, but the kids were also very interested in visiting other youth and seeing how kids lived and grew up and went to school in another country. It was their idea to visit the schools and bring school supplies, and so Audley helped us make it happen. At each step, we asked them what else was an aspect that they wanted to pursue, such as visiting the townships with the Uthando tour, and with the help of Hailey we found ways to incorporate these experiences into the trip.

What was the most rewarding part of the experience?

Watching the grandchildren interact with the other students at the schools we visited was definitely a highlight. The youth and energy of playing with a soccer ball crosses the boundaries of language and money. Watching the grandchildren experience the countryside, different homes, and seeing different ways of collecting water and living fulfilled lives in a totally different environments — really seeing another culture through a different lens — was extremely rewarding. By the end of the trip and through these moments they “got it” that there are others making their own paths in the world.

What did your grandchildren teach you while you were in South Africa?

They grandchildren taught us that we can all travel and love learning together. We each took different pictures and had different mini-experiences, all while spending all of our time together! However, we all recognize that in-person conversations and connections, as well as up-close experiences with amazing animals, is an entirely different experience than learning from a book.

Being able to talk with locals who have experienced the aspects of history we only read about in books is priceless! We loved talking to every guide and staff and local who was willing to share their experiences and their lives with us! This was a wonderful experience - for all generations!