PREPARATIONS for next year’s IN NAM challenge are already underway.

As INCH went to press, 24 graduates had signed up.

“Everyone is eligible,” said project leader John Mayock. “No one is excluded. In all 48 graduates have the opportunity to go, but 30 will be realistic.”

He described the response so far as excellent, especially from graduates in the US.

Jennifer Niblo, a 24-year-old Process Technical Support Engineer based at Grangemouth in Scotland, is going back to Namibia. But this time she will be an ambassador.

Her role will be to advise, inspire and train alongside the next group.

“My job is to encourage them to make the most of this life-changing experience and remind them that all the hard work in training does pay off,” she said.

The experience was so life-changing for Jennifer that she hopes more graduates will sign up and discover that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it.

“I cannot wait to go back,” she said. “It was an amazing opportunity to challenge what you think you are capable of and pushing through the limits, in a country with amazing landscape, scenery and wildlife.”

Jennifer returned to the UK, feeling fitter and healthier.

“This time last year I couldn’t run the length of myself but now if I’ve had a tough day at work, heading out for a run is a great way to clear my head, and generally makes me feel a lot better, happier, energised. I also now realise that tough problems at work don’t always have an obvious answer. You have to stick at it and work through bit by bit to get to the end.”