final draft

Susi Prescott.
Can you tell us about your journey?
I was born in England and have always been a bit of a wanderer. Apparently, aged less than two,
I toddled off one afternoon and ended up on the main London road at midnight. By the time I was
three or four, I already had a global crossing and several other solo expeditions under my belt! I got
married and had children, but my adventurous nature never left me. I’d watch the seven p.m. news
on the television while cooking for my family and whenever I saw the aid-workers handing out rice
to refugees amid scenes of devastation and suffering, I’d think: ‘That’s where I want to be. Helping
those who need it, making a difference.’
But then the microwave would beep and I’d turn away to continue preparing the balanced meal in my
first world kitchen with every necessary ingredient, shiny appliances, and clean, running water, hot
and cold, available at the turn of a tap.
By the time my husband left, my four children were grown, and I realised my chance had come to do
something about my dreams. I was determined to reinvent myself, to go out into the world and do
good works. And on the way, while giving back, I would heal.
Once I had made this completely impulsive, ill-informed decision, there was no going back, despite
my occasional second-guessing and hesitance. I didn’t really know what I’d done! But I set off
anyway, with absolutely no idea of what to expect.
My first stop was Nepal, where I spent three months training English teachers, then I went to
Rwanda in Africa and trained teachers in French. My next destination was Peru, where I intended to
stay for one year but ended up staying for ten, with still no intention of leaving.
For people that are thinking about leaving a comfortable lifestyle to go on a journey of unknowns,
what would you tell them?
Do it! Go with an open mind and no expectations. Nothing will be as you expected. Go with humility
because you will learn so much. Don’t overthink it, or you may lose your nerve! Every journey starts
with a simple first step. Of course, you must use your common sense and know the precautions
to take but in the end, it all comes down to following your heart, whether overseas, or at home in
Australia. If you really want to and your intentions are good, you will achieve your ends, even if not in
the same way you may have thought.
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