[phillc73]

I was fortunate enough to spend 12 months as a youth exchange student in South Africa in the early 1990s. Part of my obligations in that programme was involvement in the charitable works of my sponsoring organisation.

This 12 month period at a young and impressionable age, in a society on the verge of significant change, certainly altered my life outlook, hopefully for the better. I think it made me a less selfish person, more open to the needs of other people, although I still need reminding from time to time.