What I'll be doing on the sandy beaches of Ghana

So, you've heard my story (if not, please refer to below!) but now I'd love to share with you what I'll actually be doing in the sweet sweet Ghana! Prepare to be amazed...

For my volunteering adventure, I will be in a small village of Atorkor (luckily they supply my mosquito net). This enchanting little village on the beach is supported by fishing, which has been taking a big hit because of over fishing by foreigners and a dam built by the government. There are many NGOs (Non-government Organizations) that are working their to stimulate the economy and help out.

Village Volunteers is set up to send people out to locations and work with NGOs. Here I will be able to help them wherever needed. The areas I will be able to help include (but are certainly not limited to): the medical center, with micro financing programs, employment training, education and welfare, and much more! One thing I love about this village is that there is no orphanage because the loving people absorb children that are orphaned into their homes. I hope to be able to help out a lot with these kids in the schools. I've spoken with the director about some things I could do here. She suggested I should plan some activities to do with the kids in the village. I'm really excited about that! And also she suggested I do writing projects with the girls in the village about what it means to them to be a girl. This is a project they want to turn in to a book that will raise more funds for these great people. I'm still corresponding with the director and more details about some of my projects are to follow! But if anyone has any ideas of really fun activities to do with groups of children, I would LOVE to hear them!!

Also.... I got Hep A and Hep B shots today. For those that don't know, needles are one of my biggest fears. But that to me is what Africa is about. Conquering fears, enduring, and doing so many things I never thought I could. I didn't even cry or freak out when I got my shot cause I knew I was doing it so I could go to Africa!!!

This Is What's Up!

I'm going to Ghana! But truth be told, it will only be with your help. Let me give you the low down!

First, a tiny bit about me. I'm currently a student at Utah State University. I am working on a double major of Anthropology and International Studies. My plan after graduation is to work with humanitarian groups. To get myself through school, I've been working whenever I can. My current job is working in home with my new friends who are disabled. It definitely has some intense challenges, but overall it has been amazing. That's the quick and dirty. There will certainly be more to follow.

Now, about Ghana. My obsession with Africa began about a year ago when I stumbled upon a showing of an Invisible Children movie (please visit www.invisiblechildren.com). This film is about a war that has been raging in Uganda (East Africa) for over 22 years. I'll definitely be talking about this more later. I realized there and then there was a huge world out there, and I wanted to be a part of it. I had been studying Anthropology (The holistic study of humans, my focus being culture) because I decided the only thing I found interesting enough to study was people. To me they have always been the most important thing. When these combined, I realized my calling: Understanding people and creating better circumstances wherever I can. Though I try to do this everyday (not always succeeding), I started thinking about serving in Africa. It started by learning about Africa, then by looking at places I could serve, and after much research, I signed up to go to Ghana with Village Volunteers! (www.villagevolunteers.org) I started thinking I would just work towards it, loving the changes taking place in me as I worked towards what I knew was impossible; trying new things, pushing myself farther, and constantly focusing on Africa rather than the trials of my own life.

A few days ago, though, reality hit. I realized I'd been putting off one of the biggest challenges of this trip: finances. I was so scared by the thought, my way of dealing with it was by not. I kept rolling around abstract ideas that I would do later, setting unrealistic goals and letting them slip while I focused on things I felt I could I control (shots, passport, etc). And now here I am, hoping to leave in three months and no real significant portion of my funds to speak of. I finally decided I should start coping with the fact this dream might not come true. This to me was more devastating then I thought it could be. I pretty much became incapacitated by this fact, essentially only leaving my house for classes I couldn't possibly afford to miss and to go to work. I decided the only way to pull out of this was to give myself back the only reason I'd been getting out of bed: Africa. I decided it was time to ask for help. And after letting my family in on what has been going on, my brother encouraged me to start this. To set a place where I can share with others my passion and keep them posted on the funds he assured me we could raise together. So thank you Dan, and thanks to all of you who are here to help me help the Children of Africa!!!