ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD - A contingent from the Deh Cho experienced the rigours of a developing nation this past summer during a trip to an African country where they volunteered to aid members of two communities.

Fort Liard's Stevie Nande, five other Northern youth and two group leaders were in the semi-arid village of Ramotswa, Botswana, as part of the Northern Youth Abroad Program for most of July and August.

Stevie Nande stands in front of a traditional hut in Ramotswa, Botswana, on a volunteer trip he took over the summer. - photos courtesy of Stevie Nande

"Since I got back in Canada, I feel so spoiled - coming back from a third-world country," said Nande about a week after he returned to Canada on Aug. 25. The more than month-long adventure began on July 1 - Canada Day.

A dozen people ventured from the NWT and Nunavut, splitting into two groups of six once arriving in Botswana. The second group travelled to Shakawe. On the way the youth had a short stop in Paris for 12 hours to sightsee.

Nande said the whole trip was an eye-opening experience.

"We did volunteer work - mostly labour work, we did gardening and painting," said Nande of his time in Botswana.

"We painted a youth centre there and we built a community vegetable garden."

Nande said the people were friendly and he got to see many of the wild animals that often come to mind when someone mentions Africa.

"We saw almost everything except for a lion," said Nande, who went with the group to a game reserve.

He listed off some of the most notable animals he saw - giraffes, elephants, hippos and crocodiles.

Some of his most unique wildlife experiences weren't visual, but edible.

"We tried goat and cow intestines," said Nande.

"It was different, but tasty."

Nande, who had previously not been out of Canada, said he would recommend the trip.

Northern Youth Abroad is a charitable organization that sends youth aged 15 to 21 who live in the NWT and Nunavut to other regions of Canada and the world in an effort to increase their understanding of global and international issues, as well as build confidence and leadership skills.

Nande's personal journey isn't over.

In a couple of weeks, he will be leave for the En'owkin Centre, a culturally-based academic college for indigenous students in Penticton, B.C. There, Nande will study fine arts.

Nande said he intends to travel more and said he hopes to return to Africa.

When asked if he had any future career plans, Nande said he is still exploring.