Today we’d like to introduce you to Venida Hudley.
Hi Venida, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I returned to Atlanta in January 2024 after spending 335 days solo in Africa inspired and immediately started removing the excess from my home. I filled my garage three times for trips to Goodwill that included bedding, clothes, furniture, and even appliances. Africans live happily and modestly with very little excess.
The journey was so incredible, I decided to write a book about it that chronicled my journey in hopes of educating readers about the uniqueness of the 12 countries I visited and volunteered, highlighting what I learned about Africa and myself. Where others saw only poverty, conflict, and instability.
The solo journey tested my adaptability and also preconceptions about a continent I had known only through others’ accounts. My book will serve as a valuable learning tool for individuals seeking to deepen their knowledge of Africa and equip readers to make informed decisions and navigate complex situations like traveling alone to another country and creating unique volunteer experiences that align with personal desires. You can follow me on my journey to publishing on my Instagram and LinkedIn.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road was smooth once I made up my mind to take on the yearlong solo adventure. The biggest challenge was planning, and I took two years to plan my trip. Every weekday morning I got up before work at 5am to speak with someone from Africa. Given my technology and partnership background, I set out to uncover unique innovations, craft aligned volunteer experiences, create awareness for creative entrepreneurs, and inspire others to travel to Africa and volunteer.
If there were any struggles, it was early on when I was convincing my family and friends a yearlong solo trip to Africa was a good idea. Even after I shared how this was not my idea but a God given assignment, they were not fully onboard until I created a partnership with the African Tourism Association who connected me with top Tour Operators in each country who my family could contact directly if needed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m discovering new ways of work that mostly include dreaming up my next, thanks to this profound experience. I am most proud that I am reinventing myself. Since I had such a successful tour, I’m now helping others plan their African itineraries, speaking about my volunteer experience through the media and looking forward to working with a top publisher to bring my book to life.
Everyday is an opportunity to enjoy life, have fun, and help others by sharing my experiences and learnings.
Here are some key takeaways I learned about myself:
• Don’t judge people too quickly. This trip helped me see that appearances can be deceiving.
• I am surprisingly adaptable. Power outages? No hot water? No problem! Turns out that I can adjust just fine.
• Two meals a day is plenty. Who knew? Africa taught me that simple living can be pretty darn good.
• Quiet time is golden. It’s amazing how much clearer you hear God’s voice when there’s less noise around.
• Self-love is key. This trip helped me appreciate the importance of self-care.
• Chill vibes all around. I learned to be content and open-minded and not sweat the small stuff.
• Trust the process. This journey wasn’t always easy, but I realized it’s important to trust the path, even when things got confusing.
• Patience is a virtue. Sometimes things don’t make sense right away. Give it time. It will all come together in the end.
• Savor the moment. Stop worrying about the future and enjoy where you are right now.
• Renew your mind. I learned to recognize when I’m getting stuck in negative patterns and to focus on God’s promises instead.
• Compassion is contagious. Africa is full of warm, welcoming people who taught me the power of kindness.
• Wait on the Lord. This trip showed that prayer and patience are a powerful combo.
*. Trustworthiness. This journey-built confidence in me.
*. Faith is the ultimate lesson. God truly provided for me every step of the way. He ushered me through Africa—and I am so glad that I listened to His voice.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
My nonfiction book, a children’s coloring and activity book, and an animated film are all on the way. I would love folks to subscribe to my newsletter via my website: https://www.venidadiscoversafrica365.com/ and follow me on FB and IG @ venidadiscoversafrica365.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.venidadiscoversafrica365.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/venidadiscoversafrica365
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/venidadiscoversafrica/
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/vshudley
