{"id":5179,"date":"2026-05-14T15:03:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T13:03:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T13:06:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T11:06:18","slug":"what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/","title":{"rendered":"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Three trips, many special moments \u2013 and a place that I just can\u2019t get out of my head.<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

How it all began<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
In 2022, I decided to treat myself to a sabbatical in 2023. The planning began \u2013 and one thing was clear from the outset: I wanted to go back to Africa. After a few detours, I finally came across Helping Hands 4 Wildlife. <\/div>
<\/div>
In early July 2023, I landed in Nelspruit and my Vervet adventure began. As soon as I arrived, I also got a taste of the South African winter: on the way to the farm, we drove through sleet in the mountains \u2013 a moment I\u2019ll never forget. How crazy and beautiful at the same time to be able to experience that. <\/div>
<\/div>
By the time we arrived at the farm, it was already dark. At first I could hardly see a thing, but I immediately sensed that special atmosphere. Elli had already been there for several months, and we spent a wonderful first evening together straight away. Katha was there too, and Maria arrived on the same day as me. <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

My first morning on the farm<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe next morning, my first real volunteering adventure began. During the induction, we were shown everything \u2013 the routines on the farm, how to handle the animals, and also that monkeys can bite. In fact, Katha was bitten by Franky that very morning. This is exactly what working with wild animals entails, and it immediately showed me how important the induction is \u2013 and, above all, how crucial it is to read the vervets\u2019 body language. Over the following weeks, I learnt an incredible amount about it. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Two weeks turned into three<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Originally, I\u2019d only planned to stay for two weeks \u2013 but on the spur of the moment I decided to extend my stay and stayed for a third week. Not only the animals, but also the people there grew incredibly close to my heart. Genuine friendships developed, and to this day we stay in touch via our WhatsApp group and keep up with each other\u2019s lives. <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

It quickly became clear to me: I\u2019ll be back.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Even during my first stay, I wrote to my nephew saying that this would be the perfect place for my sister. A few weeks later, I asked her if she could imagine coming along. Deeply moved, she immediately said, \u201cYes.\u201d <\/div>
The trip eventually became her family\u2019s gift for her 50th birthday.<\/div>
<\/div>
So, in October 2024, we set off for South Africa once again \u2013 this time together with my sister and Katha, who had since become a close friend. For my sister, this trip was an emotional rollercoaster: for the first time, she saw real poverty, worked with rescued wildlife and experienced the fascinating wildlife of Kruger National Park up close. An experience she will carry in her heart forever. <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Helping turned into something more<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
At that point, Elli had just taken over Helping Hands and we were also helping her with various organisational tasks. It was a wonderful time \u2013 and, as always, far too short. <\/div>
<\/div>
Since then, I have also been volunteering as a director within the NGO.<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Back to the beginning<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
In October 2025, I travelled to South Africa for the third time \u2013 this time for a full four weeks, so that I could help even more intensively and spend more time with the animals and Elli. It was once again a very special time, especially thanks to the many baby vervet monkeys we were able to look after. Shortly before that, I\u2019d also happened to meet a member of staff from dm-drogerie markt, which meant we were able to take donations of milk powder with us to South Africa. Support like this means an incredible amount to the farm, because every bit of help counts. <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Special moments on and off the farm<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
During this third stay, we also visited the chief and his family. This gave us a little insight into Siswati or Swazi culture. In Eswatini and the neighbouring regions of South Africa, traditional chiefs continue to play an important role within their communities to this day. They are regarded as figures of respect, guardians of traditions and points of contact for many social and cultural matters. It was a great honour to experience this hospitality and to learn more about the culture and values of the local people. <\/div>
<\/div>
The accommodation on the farm also made our time there special. The cosy chalets, set amidst nature, offer a wonderful retreat after the emotional and often intense days spent with the animals. Being woken in the morning by birdsong and sitting together in the evening beneath the African starry sky \u2013 that is exactly what makes this place so unique. <\/div>
<\/div>
And next year we\u2019ll be back again\u2026 I\u2019m already incredibly much looking forward to seeing everyone again.<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Manuela, volunteer and NGO director from Germany<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Helping\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Join our community<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Helping Hands for Wildlife thrives on the support of people who share our vision. #teamvervet brings together people from all over the world who want to take responsibility and make a real difference. <\/p>

Join us on our journey \u2013 together, we\u2019ll give orphaned and injured animals a second chance.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tInstagram<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYoutube<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life. Three trips, many special moments \u2013 and a place that I just can\u2019t get out of my head. How it all began In 2022, I decided to treat myself to a sabbatical in 2023. The planning began \u2013 and one thing was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5177,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5179","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-volunteering"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life. - HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life. - HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life. Three trips, many special moments \u2013 and a place that I just can\u2019t get out of my head. How it all began In 2022, I decided to treat myself to a sabbatical in 2023. The planning began \u2013 and one thing was […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-14T13:03:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-29T11:06:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/helping-hands-for-wildlife-vervet-monkeys-volunteer.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"480\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"janina\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"janina\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"janina\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/58e95386e8c419723475498c888d5f24\"},\"headline\":\"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life.\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-14T13:03:27+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-29T11:06:18+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":889,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/helping-hands-for-wildlife-vervet-monkeys-volunteer.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"Volunteering\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/\",\"name\":\"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life. - HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/helping-hands-for-wildlife-vervet-monkeys-volunteer.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-14T13:03:27+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-29T11:06:18+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/helping-hands-for-wildlife-vervet-monkeys-volunteer.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/helping-hands-for-wildlife-vervet-monkeys-volunteer.webp\",\"width\":480,\"height\":640},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Start\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life.\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation\",\"description\":\"Rettung und Rehabilitation kleiner S\u00e4ugetiere, insbesondere von Gr\u00fcnmeerkatzen.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/logo-helping-hands-4-wildlife.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/logo-helping-hands-4-wildlife.webp\",\"width\":500,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/58e95386e8c419723475498c888d5f24\",\"name\":\"janina\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d001bfb564f7fa3fbdb64343dfb9bc3e7322e6e9274d7693907f34b9015f07ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d001bfb564f7fa3fbdb64343dfb9bc3e7322e6e9274d7693907f34b9015f07ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d001bfb564f7fa3fbdb64343dfb9bc3e7322e6e9274d7693907f34b9015f07ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"janina\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\\\/en\\\/author\\\/janina\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life. - HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life. - HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation","og_description":"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life. Three trips, many special moments \u2013 and a place that I just can\u2019t get out of my head. How it all began In 2022, I decided to treat myself to a sabbatical in 2023. The planning began \u2013 and one thing was […]","og_url":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/","og_site_name":"HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation","article_published_time":"2026-05-14T13:03:27+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-07-29T11:06:18+00:00","og_image":[{"width":480,"height":640,"url":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/helping-hands-for-wildlife-vervet-monkeys-volunteer.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"janina","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"janina","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/"},"author":{"name":"janina","@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/58e95386e8c419723475498c888d5f24"},"headline":"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life.","datePublished":"2026-05-14T13:03:27+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-29T11:06:18+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/"},"wordCount":889,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/helping-hands-for-wildlife-vervet-monkeys-volunteer.webp","articleSection":["Volunteering"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/","url":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/","name":"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life. - HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/helping-hands-for-wildlife-vervet-monkeys-volunteer.webp","datePublished":"2026-05-14T13:03:27+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-29T11:06:18+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/helping-hands-for-wildlife-vervet-monkeys-volunteer.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/helping-hands-for-wildlife-vervet-monkeys-volunteer.webp","width":480,"height":640},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/what-began-as-a-sabbatical-is-now-an-integral-part-of-my-life\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Start","item":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What began as a sabbatical is now an integral part of my life."}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/","name":"HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation","description":"Rettung und Rehabilitation kleiner S\u00e4ugetiere, insbesondere von Gr\u00fcnmeerkatzen.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/#organization","name":"HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation","url":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/logo-helping-hands-4-wildlife.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/logo-helping-hands-4-wildlife.webp","width":500,"height":500,"caption":"HelpingHands4Wildlife | Wildlife Rehabilitation"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/58e95386e8c419723475498c888d5f24","name":"janina","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d001bfb564f7fa3fbdb64343dfb9bc3e7322e6e9274d7693907f34b9015f07ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d001bfb564f7fa3fbdb64343dfb9bc3e7322e6e9274d7693907f34b9015f07ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d001bfb564f7fa3fbdb64343dfb9bc3e7322e6e9274d7693907f34b9015f07ea?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"janina"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com"],"url":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/author\/janina\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5179","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5179"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5179\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5180,"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5179\/revisions\/5180"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5179"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5179"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpinghands4wildlife.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5179"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}