Family Fundraiser

This past Monday my family and I held a fundraiser in my home town of Cranbury, NJ. We set up a lemonade/brownie stand on Main Street during the town's annual Memorial Day Parade. My family was incredibly kind to do just about all of the prep-work and run the lemonade stand with me all day. Thanks to a great friend from school, we got the idea to give the lemonade and brownies away for free, but explain my cause and ask for a donation in return. This idea proved to be successful - we ended up raising $400 in donations! I plan on using this money to help pay my airfare to Tanzania.

Aside from the financial success of the fundraiser, it really meant a lot to me to have my family so involved in helping me pursue this dream. My 4-year old nephew even made a poster for the fundraiser!

Half way there!

I'm happy to report that I have almost reached the 50% mark in my fundraising! Thank you to all of my friends, family, and teachers who have shown such tremendous support over the past few weeks. I still have $2051 to go, but I now understand just how willing and eager people are to help out.

When I first decided to do this volunteer trip, I admit the one part that I was unsure of was the fundraising. Soliciting donations from my friends just feels a bit awkward. But I was also amazed at what it costs to travel to these countries in need, and work in their villages and schools. The $3776 that I have to raise is just the program fee. I still need to get myself there! My parents have graciously agreed to help with the airfare, but that still left a large amount that I needed to raise. A few weeks into my fundraising efforts though, and I have truly been heartened by the donations and kind words of encouragement and support from so many of my family and friends. It is hard to explain how it feels, but seeing so many people donate and show their belief in me gives me a new found sense of confidence and empowerment. You guys are the best :).

Thank You, Drexel!

What a great day! This past Friday I received the Harold J. Budd Award from Drexel University's LeBow College of Business. This award is given annually by the legal studies department of LeBow to a student who exhibits a commitment to academics as well as humanitarian causes. The ceremony was even more meaningful because the award was presented to me by Dean Tsetsekos as well as one of my favorite professors, Professor Sher. I was also pleased that both of my parents were able to attend.

While I am honored to have received this award, it is also exciting because there is a cash award with it that I can now contribute to my fundraising efforts. I still have a long way to go, but this $500 will be a huge help!

Asante sana, Drexel!
(Asante sana means thank you very much in Swahili.)

Hujambo!

Hujambo, friends!

Well, it’s finally going to happen! I am going to Africa.

After researching a number of volunteer organizations, I am excited to report that I will be volunteering with Cross Cultural Solutions (CCS), a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, one of the leading organizations in the field of international volunteerism. CCS was founded on the values of shared humanity, respect and integrity. As they say in their literature, CCS has a vision of a world where people value cultures different from their own, are aware of global issues, and are empowered to effect positive change. I have the same vision and I knew this would be a great fit.

Therefore, several weeks ago, I began the formal application process with CCS. I now know that I will be working in Moshi, Tanzania most likely in an orphanage or school, assisting with the care of young children orphaned by aids. It was the pervasive impacts of this disease throughout the African continent that first elicited my desire to help in Africa in some way. And now I am going to get to do it.

For those of you who don’t know, Tanzania is located in East Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique. Tanzania is a coastal country situated just south of the equator, best known for Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa. The official language is Swahili, so I have some serious studying to do if I expect to communicate while I'm there. Like other African countries, the aids epidemic is devastating in Tanzania with over 1.6 Million people affected. Without boring you with statistics, just understanding that the median age in Tanzania is less than 18 years old (as compared to 36 years in the United States) clearly shows the devastating impact this disease has had on the population. Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world, dependent for a large part on sustenance farming but is also blessed with beautiful natural features and what we would consider exotic wildlife. I can’t wait.

One key aspect of the CCS program is that each of us are expected to fundraise to help cover program and volunteer costs. Along with finishing up my last semester here at Drexel, I now have that challenge ahead of me. According to CCS, the fee that I am expected to raise is part of my contribution to international volunteerism. I have been asked by family and friends to explain why I need to pay to volunteer. In reality, I have discovered that volunteering in a developing country is very expensive. Just the cost of transportation to get there is significant. The policy of CCS is to ask its volunteers to assist in securing the necessary funds, thereby expanding the potential reach of the program. The money that I am asked to raise covers operating costs of the program, including recruiting as well as preparing, sending, training, and supporting me during my time in Africa.

Today I will begin soliciting the help of my family and friends in my fundraising efforts. I will also look to corporate sponsorship, scholarships through my University, and various fundraising events. I don't have much time, I better get busy!

As I go through this preparation and while in Africa, I plan on using this blog as a journal of this experience. I imagine I will discover a great deal about the world and the role, however small, each of us can play in making it a better place to live. I welcome your questions and comments and will try to answer them as I move forward.

By the way, humjambo is Swahili for “how are you”? Along with Hakuna matata (“there are no worries”), which we all learned from the Lion King, these are the only two phrases of Swahili that I know so far. Stay tuned and we will both learn more.