|
|
|
Student Plans African Trip
Wednesday July 07, 2010 My name is Danielle Olson. I am seventeen years old and have just graduated. I am planning a trip to South Africa through Projects Abroad. Projects Abroad is an organization which specializes in volunteering for the poorer countries. During my trip to Africa, I am going to be volunteering in a children’s care home. My responsibilities include washing the children, playing with them, feeding them, talking with them, showing them love and affection and much more. I will be living in Africa for one month. I will be working without any pay. I am planning to be in Africa by May 2011. The total fee I owe for working and staying in Africa is $2800, not including flights, which are fluctuant. I will not know the exact price of the flights until they are booked, which will likely be around February of 2011.
As I will be fundraising for donations to support my trip, I will also be working. I am employed at The Wilderness Lodge, working as a front desk receptionist. I have been an employee of this company for the past three years. Come September, I will be heading off to college. Depending on how difficult the courses are, I will most likely be applying for a part – time job to support my trip to Africa. I am not relying merely on donations and fundraised money, although, each and every donation helps greatly and is widely appreciated.
The question you must be thinking is, why? Why pay money to volunteer and work for free? The cost of volunteering with Projects Abroad is so high because this program is not government sponsored. This means that the government does not pay for any costs of the volunteers. Essentially, the $2800 I must pay includes accommodations, three meals a day, medical insurance, airport pick-up and drop off, and 24 hour staff support.
I want to go to Africa because I have it in my heart to help people, especially children. I think volunteering in this care home will both benefit the children and myself because when I make other people happy, I’m happy. I also think this experience will completely change my perspective of life. I think it will teach me not to take advantage of the people and freedom that I have surrounding me. I am volunteering because I want to help make the world a better place.
Web: http://www.projects-abroad.org. If you do not have access to a computer, but are looking for more information, the Projects Abroad toll free number is 1-877-921-9666.
If you are interested in contacting me, my phone number is (250)-242-8502, and my email address is danielle_olson17@hotmail.com
Thank You. Danielle Olson
back
|
|
|
