At Good Work Foundation (GWF), we call Julia Geffers our “Swiss Ambassador” and immediately dive in for another Ferrero Rocher every time we think of her. Julia is the International Director of Membership Services at Relais & Chateaux, which is how her path crossed with Londolozi’s and then with ours at GWF. But like all of us, Julia is so much more than just her title. For example, we discovered that Julia is a yoga enthusiast and instructor as well as a formidable amateur cyclist. She speaks five languages, travels up to 300 days in a year as part of her work, and she makes the most delicious spanakopita.

Julia Geffers: Relais & Chateaux Director of International Membership Services, Londolozi friend & GWF Ambassador

The best part though is that Julia is on a journey to “live guided”. And, after her most recent visit to South Africa, where she again spent time volunteering at GWF, this is the beautifully vulnerable and brave letter that she shared with us:

“Throughout our lives we are told that we need to build our future and our homes. We are told that there are plans to follow, career plans and personal life plans. We are told that you are supposed to do, to be, to have, according to guidelines someone someday defined. Looking at those guidelines more closely you realize that they have nothing to do with who you are. Nevertheless, in our childhood and youth, we follow the rules given to us without asking too many questions.

Until one day – the day – we start wondering why the nicely prepared plan apparently does not work out and we start questioning the plan altogether. I had it all figured out in my plan: have a family, have a career, play my sports, live in a nice place… in a few words, a plan as written on one of the Hallmark greeting cards. Life does not work that way though and when things do not go according to plan, there comes a moment when we have to start listening to our call inside.

A  few years back I started questioning the order of things and took off on a quest to my true self and my deep calling. I wandered in a confusing labyrinth of people, places and events, I went through moments of happiness and dark times, through sadness and tears as well as laughter and joy. What was I searching for? After all, I have a loving family, dearest friends, an accomplished career and the opportunity to live a full and satisfactory life. I am deeply grateful for the blessings I have received and this search is not triggered out of dissatisfaction or a sense of something missing.

“The Call of Giving” – Warrior pose with adult students from the rural communities outside the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.

The search inside myself is more the fruit of the certainty that there is another purpose in my life that so far I have not fulfilled, a void in me that, despite all goodness I have received, needs filling. It turns out what I thought needed filling actually was a need to give. A need to be there for others, to share some of my wealth – my personal wealth in terms of learning/lessons I have received, studies I was allowed to make, experiences I lived and help others find their path.

Giving, this is the clear calling in my heart.

Where to start? How do you give? Whom do you give to? Is it arrogant to think you have something to give in the first place? There were many questions in my heart and on my mind on this urge I feel, but I did not quite know where to start.

One fine day a dear friend takes me to a place close to her heart – a place where young humans are given the opportunity to change their lives thanks to access to education and learning. A place hidden in the deep heart of South Africa, in a rural community that has experienced hard times, apartheid, sickness, drought, economic recession, poverty. A place where generations live under the same roof to support each other but also because there is no alternative. In this place the first digital learning center has seen the light of day a few years ago. It’s a concept so simple and yet such a challenge:

Bring learning to people so they are given the opportunity to change their lives.

A challenge that goes way beyond the individual since the change this is bringing about is an entire shift in generations of people.

Julia introduces yoga to preschoolers at Good Work Foundation’s Justicia Digital Learning Campus in rural South Africa.

My friend takes me there and I immediately feel I have arrived where I belong. It is nothing rational nor is it possible to really explain it with words. I simply know that this is it…

I wish I could come back and be part of this – in any possible way – by giving something I have my energy, my love, my smile and of course my time.

The Good Work Foundation has become my home, the place where I can be the best version of myself and be there for others.

Home is where the heart is they say and my heart is here with this incredible group of people who devote their lives and work to building a better world – actively and concretely. With words but also with facts and vision.

Home is where children come with joy and enthusiasm to learn, guided by young adults who have had the same calling: educate, teach, share knowledge and generate growth.

Home is where youngsters have access to education and can make a choice to change their lives through knowledge.

Home is where I can share everything I have to contribute to a smile, to a growth, to life.

Julia cycles for Good Work Foundation in the 2017 Rhino Africa Challenge4ACause cycle challenge across the Namibian desert

Here is home, a home where I am finally able to give, a place where I can share, where I can contribute to something that may appear small far away from here and in reality is a huge opportunity and a chance to make an impact. It is a first stride to something that, step by step, can change the world.

Thank you Kate, Ryan, Gogo, Shan, Dave and the entire team of the Good Work Foundation as well as to all the young human beings who are giving me the opportunity to follow my call: the call of GIVING.”

Written by Julia Geffers
GWF’s honorary Swiss Ambassador

If you would like to find out more about Londolozi’s nonprofit partner organisation, the Good Work Foundation, click here to visit their website.