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I grew up at a time in Singapore - the '70s and '80s - where it was still possible to go riding around the island barefoot. And I was one of these kids that was just climbing trees and running around the neighbourhood.

I used to run around barefoot and climb trees and pick fruit and sell it on the side of the road like a real island girl.

I fell in love with Africa and began helping people fix things there.

I've got to where am in life not because of something I brought to the world but through something I found - the wealth of African culture.

I went on safari in South Africa just after apartheid had ended.

Whether or not all this came to pass in an East African ditch, I wouldn't like to say. Perhaps it happened in North Africa or further west, but Africa was definitely the place.

I grew up in a small town in Sudan. There weren't many cars, so we did things in the countryside near where we lived.

Going on safari in South Africa was hardcore but a lot of fun - though my friend Maura was absolutely freaking out about all the bugs in her hair and having to pee in the sand.

I got to Africa. I got the opportunity to go and learn, not about any animal, but chimpanzees. I was living in my dream world, the forest in Gombe National Park in Tanzania. It was Tanganyika when I began.

I was fortunate enough to visit a lot of beautiful places around the world. The most astonishing and memorable experiences were my trips to Africa and Australia.