My crazy time in Yamba

I use the word crazy not because of any late nights or wild parties, but for the fact that I spent my entire working life in Yamba becoming a crazy paving expert. Seriously, If I could invent a time machine and head back to 1979 I could make a cracking living for myself doing up driveways - I'm that good!!

It's incredibly hard work, with long days spent on the site but its fab. The local builders are complete legends and delighted to have me here. Far from humouring me with easy tasks, they absolutely expect me to work beside them and equally as hard. I've became a proper little builder (with my very own hard hat and hammer!).

I take pride in the fact that I've completely held my own on the site and impressed the locals with my work ethic. I've even became a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to rock selection in my section.

Alas just 4 weeks is no way near enough time to get to know a place properly and it seems that no sooner have I arrived than its time to leave. The much needed school is well under way (with some super foundations - If I do say so myself!) and they are on schedule to finish in just three months time.


No matter how much credit I give to the men that are building the school the last mention must go to the women of Yamba village who are just incredible. They must have invented the word 'Multi-task'. Every single stone and bucket of water used on the site is brought there by a local woman. They carry them for miles on their heads. I have video footage to bore you with when I get back but the most amazing example was that of a girl, probably in her early 20s, who came to the site with 5 mud bricks on her head. This in itself is an incredible feat but she also had bags in both hands and on closer inspection a small child happily breast feeding on her front. She marched up to the site, offloaded the bricks perfectly, threw the bags at one of the men (his packed lunch I guess) , shoved the baby on her back and marched off to do it all again.

Makes a minimum wage job in McDonald's look pretty cushy eh!

I'm regretting not staying longer but for now it has been an absolutely amazing experience and I can't believe that I got to live somewhere so remote - albeit for such a short space of time. Life in Yamba isn't easy but you wouldn't know it from the welcome you get. They may hate their lack of electricity and transport but for me that this is all part of the charm. Unfortunately as well as lacking electricity and transport they are also missing a clean water source, a much needed doctor, affordable education, malaria nets and a sustainable way of living - the list goes on!

I'm still sitting on the fence with regards to the impact my presence (and the charity in general) has on the place. There is no arguing that the villagers need help and in many ways they are now getting it, but it'd be interesting to go back in 10 years time to see what impact Western support has had.

For now, this is Vicci Moyles saying farewell to charity work and heading back to a world of flushing toilets.
Till next time....
Vic xxxxx