The beginning of everything.

Ever since I was a three-year-old girl, my dream has been to become a vet. As I got older, I understood I wasn’t going to spend my life in a clinic. I could not do it. We are no longer facing mass extinction, but are in the middle of it.

That’s why I decided to become a vet specialised in endangered species such as elephants, rhinos, orangutans and tigers. Polarbears as well is a big passion of mine.
With the knowledge that I’d have to travel the world for this kind of job, I began searching for a place where I could find a job. Most of the website you can access on the other side of the globe is for two or three weeks volunteering. That does not interest me. I’m going to dedicate my life to this, at least fifty solid years and hopefully more.
Thus came the day when I realised we had a family acquaintance who had founded the ”Wildhood Foundation”. A non-profit, anti-poaching organisation.
I want to do the impossible. I want to change the world, and this could be my way into that world. The world where impossible is just a word used by giver uppers.
I wrote to her on messenger.
She wrote me back.
She called me.
I took notes.
My whole body was trembling as I sat in my bed trying to make sense of the notes my shaky hand put down on the striped paper. I was talking to a hero, but it felt like a friend.
She asked me ”for how long can you be gone?” and I wanted to say forever. I said six months, and then my money will run out.
She asked me ”when do you want to go?” and I wanted to say right now. I graduate in June 2021, and she said okay.
Okay, what? What did okay mean?
”Okay, send me a personal letter and your resumé, I’ll send it on.”
I suddenly realised I was making plans for moving to South Africa for next year.
I’ve cried myself to sleep because I’ve longed for this so much. I’ve dreamt about this or fifteen years, and suddenly it’s going to be my reality.
So, one more year in Sweden. Graduating, moving to South Africa for six months, five and a half years of studies, getting my degree and then it’s time to change the world.
This is a lifelong dream coming true.
This is the beginning of everything.