About this project

Several weeks ago, in my own quintessential impulsive fashion, I decided that I'm going to Kenya for a volunteer trip. The decision derives not only from the desire to experience a culture so geographically and fundamentally distanced from my own, but also a challenge to myself.

Traveling to Africa has always been a dream of mine, but one far too distant from reality to act upon. Although Idaho and Africa are worlds apart, I made every attempt I could to connect myself with this place I intrinsically cared so much about. I volunteered as mentor for a group of Somali Bantu girls, I took classes on African History, African folktales, and even Swahili. I've worked as a tutor for African refugees and continued working with them through my job at the public library.

Although I constantly find myself challenged in my beliefs, I've never had to actually face a direct challenge to the way I live. I've never been far enough removed from my cultural norms that I've had to actually question if the way I do things are the most efficient, the most impactful, and if they add the most value to my life and the lives of others.

It's not an easy challenge. Two weeks in Mkwiro, Kenya teaching English in a community run school. It's also not a challenge I can face alone. As much as I wanted to save, sacrifice, and donate all the funding for this trip, it's not an plausible feat. Despite all my intentions of funding it myself, the expenses are something that I am going to need assistance with.

Despite this challenge being costly, I still greatly believe that is has value and is worth the price. And not just for me either. I feel that I have something to offer the people of Mkwiro, Kenya. Even more I believe that Kenya has something to offer me. I think that only by experiencing different ways of doing things can we improve our own process. I think that a volunteer trip such as this will make me a better mother, a better employee, a better friend, and most importantly a better community member with a renewed definition of what community means.

I rarely ask for help from anyone, and it's not something I would do if I didn't truly believe in what I'm doing. If you see value in this trip and my experience, then I would greatly appreciate any small bit of assistance you can offer. I set the goal at $2,000, and if I don't raise that in a month then I get none of it. It's a risk that I'm taking, but I have been encouraged and motivated by you all this far in my journey, and I'm going to continue putting my faith in the people I love and trust so dearly.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Please help me share my story with others as well.