A Done Deal

Well... I finally did it!! I hit the little button on the computer to confirm my trip to Tanzania this coming August. After over 2 years of research, I decided to volunteer with a non-profit organization called Cross Cultural Solutions. This organization runs solely on volunteer donations, and runs humanitarian programs in partnership with the United Nations all around the world. I decided on the Arusha placement and have asked to work in a school setting with those affected by HIV/AIDS. I hope to use my background in science to help educate the citizens of Tengeru on this disease that is believed to have infected over 60% of the population. During my four week stay in Tengeru, I will be staying in a compound with 37 other volunteers from around the world.

The focus of our volunteer experience is three-fold. The first component will be the project volunteer placement itself. The second focus will be called "Prospective Programming" where as a team we will have lessons on the culture, language, excursions to places valued in the community as well as social/historical topics. The third focus, will be to educate those in my own community on what I have learned about the people in Tengeru in the hopes of raising awareness of social issues and bringing our worlds a little closer together.