Volunteering shaped his future career choice
Raphael Mosca, a humanitarian consultant in Cape Town, shares his life-changing volunteering experience at Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage thirteen years ago. He recently revisited Daktari in Hoedspruit.
As a law student from Brazil, Raphael Mosca, now 33 years old, discovered Daktari Wildlife Orphanage in South Africa while seeking a fulfilling volunteer opportunity 13 years ago. Little did he know that his experience at Daktari would be the turning point in his career and life. Raphael was immediately struck by the organisation’s mission – to educate local children about wildlife conservation and provide a home for orphaned and injured animals. “I was looking for something with impact, something to keep me busy, and something different to discover. I found all of this with Daktari. I met some absolutely dedicated people,” he said.
Raphael was assigned several tasks and responsibilities during his tenure at Daktari. He found great value in being occupied with work and witnessing the immediate impact of his efforts. “I’ve always been fond of experiences where you can see your impact with your own eyes,” he said. “Being in this environment with the wildlife and everyone working together, made me realise the importance of being happy in one’s job,” he said. “It’s not only about salary, but it’s also not only about where you live, no, but it’s also about what you do and if you like waking up in the morning,” he said.
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After his experience at Daktari, Raphael continued to work with nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) around the world, gaining valuable experience in emergency response situations and conflict zones. Today, he is a humanitarian consultant based in Cape Town who has worked with NGOs all over the world for the past ten years. “I have been working in emergency response, which is basically delivering aid to people in need, including natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods,” explains Raphael. He noted that Daktari had grown significantly since his first visit. There are more houses, more animals, and more volunteers than before.
However, he commended Michelle and Ian Merrifield, the co-founders. To keep the core of Daktari the same despite the growth. “I would like to congratulate Michelle and Ian for keeping it all together because it is their dedication and commitments that are really led Daktari,” he said. Raphael’s tenure at Daktari was a turning point in his life that paved the way for a fulfilling career in the humanitarian sector. It is a testament to the fact that prioritising happiness and a sense of purpose can yield extraordinary outcomes.
