Q & A with Flying For Life

We like getting to know the people behind the non-profit organisations that we partner with. Today, Maxine Holman, Managing Director of Mission Aviation Fellowship in South Africa (which Flying for Life falls under), tells us more about working for a non-profit organisation.

 

In 10 words or fewer, what is the idea behind Flying for Life?

To assist with holistic community development in rural isolated areas in South Africa.

 

What is the best advice you’ve ever received (in the context of a Non-Profit Organisation)?

Keep it simple.

 

What advice would you give those wanting to work for, or start, a Non-Profit Organisation?

Firstly, I would encourage people not to start a non-profit organisation as there are already so many but to find one that you can fit into and make a difference through. My advice working for a non-profit would be to realise that change takes time and to persevere when times get hard, don’t give up!

 
What, in your mind, has been Flying for Life’s biggest success?

Building trust with the people in the communities that we work with and that has come about as a result of doing exactly what we promised them we would do for them.

 

What have you/ your organisation learnt from mistakes that may have been made?

We have learnt that if the people/community are not invested in a project the project will not succeed.

 

In what way would you like Flying for Life to impact South Africa?

Using aviation we can reach the remotest parts of South Africa, bringing the help and development that is needed. We want to be able to give people, living in these rural areas, the best chance at life, a sense of hope for the future.

 

Have you met any people or heard any stories that have inspired you to do the work that you do? If so, please tell us a little more.

This story challenges me and constantly inspires me. Even though sometimes the task feels too big, the need too great, we need to carry on because we are making a different, one life at a time.

Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.

Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching.  As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea.  The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning!  May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”

The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”

The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”
(adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977))

 

Why did you decide to do the work that you do?

To be honest I never knew that this is what I wanted to do when I finished school. I think different life experiences have lead me down this path but I know that this is where I should be. I have never just wanted a job that makes money, I have always wanted to work for a purpose or a cause. So this isn’t really work for me, it’s more of a calling and a passion, it brings meaning to my life.