What the Volunteers Say
We know you'll love volunteering at MWSRP. But don't take our word for it - hear from some of the people who've come out and joined us!
Vikki White, volunteer December 2009
Volunteering with MWSRP was an opportunity to see the biggest fish in the sea up-close and to be part of a team working to conserve these awesome creatures. It was amazing to see how far they'd managed to get with conservation action, having succeeded in getting the reef most frequented by whale sharks protected and the local people very much engaged. All the locals we met were so supportive and engaged with the team, eager to hear about the sharks we'd seen each day.
Swimming with the sharks was incredible. We would approach them as gently as we could and swim alongside them, trying to get photo ID shots above each pectoral, checking out their sex and measuring them. The measuring particularly took a feat of athleticism for the person at the front to out-swim the giant fish and dive at the right time to get an accurate measurement. The sharks looked as though they were barely moving, way too cool with a casual caudal flick propelling them forward, whilst we were all fining it along behind to keep up.
Life doesn't get much better than spending each day on a boat surrounded by the beauty of the Indian Ocean, diving not only with the whale shark, but in to a jewel-like blue, speckled with coral and spectacular tropical fish. You can make a real contribution to the research and conservation of these beautiful, gentle sharks by volunteering with MWSRP and I definitely know you'd love it.
Neil Evans, volunteer December 2008 - January 2009
"I bumped in to Richard at an opportune moment and it took about 5 secs to agree to take part in this programme as a volunteer. I'm a keen scuba diver and the thought of getting close to whale sharks was enough for me to sign my life away. I can honestly say that it is probably the most enjoyable and worthwhile 6 weeks of my life...where else can you get to do something you love, in beautiful surroundings (paradise) and make a positive contribution to the world in which we live. You really can make a difference by getting involved.
I spend a lot of time thinking about this trip and I'm very much hoping to get back out there and see how the programme is coming along."
Alex Cheong, volunteer December 2008 - January 2009
"I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it's not some place you can look for, 'cause it's not where you go. It's how you feel for a moment in your life when you're a part of something, and if you find that moment... it lasts forever... "
"What the boys are doing out there is great!! If you have an opportunity to volunteer for MWSRP jump at it - its been one of the most rewarding 5 weeks of my life, and I've had over 60 encounters with whale sharks. I'm not sure if you can really call it volunteering. Spending days in paradise on top of a dhoni, spotting whale sharks and swimming with them. Ads and Rich are great, and I wish them nothing but the best for the challenges that the future will bring, I only hope I'll be able to join them again soon!"
