DUBAI // Ever dreamt of taking a year off from work to travel, explore and give something back to the world?
A Dubai couple have done just that, packing their bags to have life experiences, help charities and drive through 14 countries in Africa in their 76 series Land Cruiser, which they have named the Honey Badger.
Briton James Raley, 34, and his wife Mira, 30, left Dubai on May 1 to start their journey in Kenya.
Mr Raley said the purpose of the trip was to raise US$50,000 (Dh183,000) for three African charities and leave the comfort zone of life in the UAE.
They have already experienced bombings and had some meetings with dangerous wild animals.
“This is the realisation of a dream that we have shared for some time,” said the human resources consultancy director, who hopes to get his job back on his return.
“It is also our belated and rather extended honeymoon. We both have a strong sense of adventure and also enjoy volunteer work and giving something back to the people, wildlife and environments that need it.
“We love living in the UAE but it is too comfortable and easy to forget the hardships that so many people in other countries have to endure every day. We do hope to return to Dubai a little tougher and humbler.”
The couple, speaking from Lake Turkana in northern Kenya, had raised about Dh44,000 through events, auctions, bake sales and volleyball tournaments in Dubai before they started their journey.
They hope to reach their target by April next year, aided by social media and videos of the charities.
The money will go towards The Happy Africa Foundation, which helps the community through education, and two animal conservation projects: the African Lion and Environmental Research Trust; and the Marine Megafauna Foundation, which protects large marine species such as sharks, rays, marine mammals and turtles.
Over the next 10 months, the couple will take the Honey Badger through some challenging terrain and live in the wilderness. The 4x4 has been fitted with a shower and two refrigerators.
But the Raleys said the purpose of this trip was not solely work.
Animal safaris, shark-cage diving, hot-air balloon rides, skydiving, rafting, sandboarding and chimpanzee tracking are also on the agenda, as is volunteering with some African charities.
“Everywhere we go we will be looking for three things – adventure, exploring and volunteer work,” said Mrs Raley, a Jordanian who worked as a learning and development specialist with an airline, and who also hopes to return to her job.
“The latter is the most important to us and a key driver for the trip. We have both lived very fortunate lives and we relish the opportunity to give something back.”
The two have already faced some serious challenges.
“On our second day in Kenya, the bombings and grenade attacks started only a five-minute walk away from where we were staying,” Mrs Raley said.
“Our first night in the wild involved a very close encounter with a lion, followed by visits from hyenas and a leopard. The second night involved more close shaves with hippos and elephants.”
They said their greatest challenge was the seven-day trip around Lake Turkana, where they would do without water, food, fuel or connectivity.
The charity drive-holiday comes with a huge price tag, and was met with initial opposition from family members.
The couple spent Dh200,000 on buying and modifying their car. They expect to spend Dh165,000 on living expenses and another Dh55,000 on accommodation, food and fees to volunteer in different charities.
Shipping their car to Kenya from Dubai added Dh55,000.
While most of the money is from personal savings, some of their costs were covered by friends as gifts from their wedding last year.
The couple hope their journey will encourage people in the UAE and elsewhere to donate generously and inspire them to volunteer their time.
Their trip can be followed on thehoneybadgerdiaries.com and readers can help to raise money for their charities at www.gofundme.com/thehoneybadgerdiaries.
pkannan@thenational.ae
