At birth we are like a blank page and it depends only on us, as well as on some favorable circumstances, what kind of stories will be written down there in the future. When coming to the world in one part of our globe, we can find our real home and inner fulfillment in a completely different place, in the midst of lush and impenetrable bush surrounded by wildlife and people with a different skin color, leading a totally different lifestyle. Does Mother Nature sometimes make mistakes leaving our souls out of place? And maybe everything has even more profound purpose, which one will find only looking deep inside oneself or even quite literally through traveling inland to the place which for centuries has been a challenge not only for explorers, but also for people who wanted to posses it for good?

Africa, a continent of contrasts, which I had a chance to get to know only from books or movies, for some people becomes a home out of choice. A secluded place they come back to eagerly and bond their lives with for good. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Amelia Leszczyńska-Hołowacz, who has given her heart to Africa and wants to share her love for this land with others through organizing safaris and promoting products coming from this amazing continent here in Poland.

Passion Piece: Could you tell my readers a few words about yourself?

Amelia: I’m a 41 years old woman, who discovers again the beauty of life. After many twists and turns I’ve managed to create my own world, which I love and appreciate a lot. I travel through the South Africa helping to organize individual safaris across this beautiful country. I take photos and I tell tourists about the Republic of South Africa. However, my greatest accomplishment is creating my own company, which is undeniably the apple of my eye, i.e. selling products from the South Africa in Poland. I combine love for Africa and its design with my life in Poland. Who could ask for more?

Besides this, I’m a happy mum to two beautiful cocktailer dogs, also known as mixed breed.

Passion Piece: You often travel to areas which are totally unknown to most of us. How did you fall in love with Africa?

Amelia: I didn’t know much about the South Africa. The first time I had had a chance to visit that country was 11 years ago while on a business trip sent by my company, where I used to work full-time. And how did I fall in love with Africa? People say that when you put one of your feet on the African land, you’ll either love it at first sight and you’ll decide to put your second feet there too or you’ll get discouraged, you’ll take your feet back and you’ll leave that place for good. I not only put there my second feet, but I also left my heart there.

Passion Piece: Which parts of this continent are the most attractive for you? Why?

Amelia: In the South Africa I love the Kgalagadi Park, a place which hasn’t been reached by many tourists. It’s a distant area linked with Namibia and Botswana. In Namibia definitely the Skeleton Coast, and in Botswana Okavango. And to tell the truth, I can’t reveal too much, because we keep such information in secret for our clients. Together with my friend Andrzej we search for places in Africa, which haven’t been commercialized yet.

Passion Piece: You’re the ambassador of Godding & Godding company in Poland. How did you start your adventure with this brand?

Amelia: I simply like things which are unique, extraordinary, created out of passion. This was Andrzej, who has lived in Africa for many years and showed this brand to me. I immediately knew that it was something just for me. I had made a long journey before I could import these products to Poland, as the European Union has a lot of requirements when it comes to tests and regulations related to cosmetics, but I can calmly assure you now that I’ve met all the requirements set by the European Union.

Passion Piece: Africa is an extraordinarily mysterious continent, the same as its wildlife. What makes cosmetics containing those treasures of nature so unique?

Amelia: Most importantly they’re ecological and their main ingredient is silk. Our G&G brand can offer five series, such as Baobab, Marula, Fynbos, Aloes and EnRiched containing Rooibos. Each ingredient of a given product has been tested and checked. For example Fynbos is a combination of herbs overgrowing the coast of the South Africa. They have the following effects on its users: soothing, calming and a little bit antidepressant, Rooibos is a strong antioxidant, and Baobab is rich in C and E vitamins.

Passion Piece: What else can be offered by Godding & Godding?

Amelia: Godding & Godding can also offer fantastic bedding containing silk. I’m not talking about covers but about refills. Handmade silk yarn is braided with the highest quality percale. The uniqueness of this bedding is that the silk yarn is a pure protein in which no dust mite, mold or fungi will ever nestle. It’s anti-allergic and sanitary. Even though we change sheets, duvets or even pillows as refills, we use mattresses for a longer period of time. That’s why, we also offer covers for mattresses with silk yarn, which protect the sleeper against dust from the mattress. It’s an ideal solution for allergy sufferers and for kids to improve the comfort of their sleep.

Passion Piece: Your stays in Africa are not only related to work. How do you spend your free time there?

Amelia: Most of the time I meet with the producers, as I not only import cosmetics and bedding produced by G&G to Poland, but also woven Mungo towels and blankets. In our free time we travel and search for new attractions for our guests.

Passion Piece: In which 3 words would you describe the taste of Africa?

Amelia: Freshness, curiosity and simplicity.

Passion Piece: What should tourists remember about before setting off to Dark Land?

Amelia: First of all, they should be with someone who knows this country and its customs. Besides this, they should be open to new experiences and have respect for everything they come across. It may sound mysterious, but we sometimes meet tourists who are not able to keep a straight face and proper respect to the visited places and the locals. Luckily, I’m not talking about our guests.

Passion Piece: Have you got any other passions besides traveling?

Amelia: Photography and design in a broad sense. I love people. Really, people are my passion.

Passion Piece: Where do you see yourself in the nearest future?

Amelia: I don’t really think about that, as you know how it is with plans. However, I see myself as a fulfilled, busy and smiling woman.

Passion Piece: Which motto would you like to share with my readers?

Amelia: I’ve got two …

The first one: (I received it from my sister-in-law) ‘Dear Lord, please do this favor for me, do not allow me to be indifferent towards my life, make me love things which are beautiful, let me leave a warm trace in one’s hand …’

The second one: ‘Someone is praying right now for the things which I don’t appreciate.’ – it prevents me from complaining and feeling sorry for myself. It also teaches me humility.

Passion Piece: Thank you very much for this truly inspiring conversation and I hope that we will hear about your new trips and interesting products coming from Africa soon.

Africa doesn’t only mean holidays, it also consists of people and nature, which makes this place even more wonderful and seemingly elusive. I would highly recommend you taking part in package tours, during which under the eye of experts, you could get to know more about wild animals, vegetation, and customs typical for the surrounding villages. Africa will be on my bucket list of places I must see in the near future.

See you around!

Yours,

Passion Piece

Photos by: Amelia Leszczyńska-Hołowacz