Youth Challenge International- Project: Tanzania

For those of you who do not know exactly what I'm doing, here is a little info.
The overseas learning program opportunity I am involved with is an 8 week placement in Tanzania, Africa with Youth Challenge International. YCI-Tanzania is a non-profit, non-religious charitable organization funded primarily by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)'s Global Youth Leadership Program, building the skills, experience and confidence of young people to effect positive change in their communities. . Working alongside local community partner organizations, myself and other volunteers help improve capacity and assist in the delivery and expansion of local programming focused on mobilizing youth through skills development and employability training, HIV/AIDS awareness raising, gender equality training, and enabling local youth to take on leadership roles. In rural Morogoro, some of the projects I will be taking part in are: "The Courage Campaign" designed to decrease negative stigma attached to HIV/AIDS testing, to encouraged healthy lifestyle choices, and join the global fight against HIV/AIDS; Health and Life Skills Classes to educate youth in various aspects of health, as a means to improve abilities to make healthy lifestyle choices; A Girls Club to build the confidence, leadership and life skills of female students at the Faraja Shule; Sexual and Reproductive Health & HIV/AIDS School Presentations to secondary school students; International Women's Day.



Africa- some people think of elephants and lions, some think of naked tribes people, and then some people think of crime and danger. For me, ever since I was a little girl, I can remember dreaming about one day going to Africa. I always talked about it and conspired how I was going to get there; in all honesty, I never thought it would actually come true.

One day, I saw a posting about YCI online and I figured "What the hell, it doenst hurt to try." Low and behold, I got an email requesting an interview. Arranging a date and time, the interview passed and a week later I would find out. Despite stumbling past the questions and studdering my answers, I got the acceptance email. I read it, then I read it again, and then I read it some more. After the words on the screen finally sunk in, I sat down in my chair and cried. The tears, to tell you the truth, im not sure what they were coming from: Joy, fear, curiosity, excitement, anxiety, so many emotions were running through my head and now streaming down my face. After my minute of review, the excitement finally sunk in and I ran down the stairs to tell my mom what every mom loves to hear. "Mom!! Im going to AFRICA!!!"

Despite all my talks about one day venturing off to Africa, I dont think my parents really thought I'd go through with it either. But, despite all their fears, they put a smile on their face and congradulated me. So, here I am in Toronto for pre-departure training, 5 months later, $3,700 raised *cough cough more like $7,000 cough cough*, and my backpack packed, ready to go.

I want to take the time to thank my friends and family. I know everyone always says this, but honestly, I could NOT have done it without you. I appreciate every minute spent on one of my lame fundraisers and every penny donated towards my goal. Sincerely, thank-you.

To my family: Ever since I was little you taught me to follow my heart and to experience life for myself. You all led by example by never giving up when times got tough and showed me that I can do anything I want to. Your compassion, support, and good advice are thigns that I can never live without. I've learned to never fear the unkown and that I can accomplish anything I want to. Kyle, you showed me the way and led me onto a path that changed my life forever. Not many brothers would agree to take their 16 year old sis across the world for two months... so, thanks bro.