Africa From the Field
Teaching in Ghana
by Colyn Alcock
My month of volunteer teaching went by in a blizzard of chalk and
perspiration. On the balance sheet, I think I learned more from teaching the
kids than they learned from me. When I’m in my rocking chair on the porch at
80 years of age, I’ll close my eyes and my mind will flicker back to those
kids running out of the classrooms, jumping and shouting, through the
elephant-eye grass to greet me. I’ll remember how I offered my hands to the
boys and girls in yellow and brown uniforms, how they took one finger each,
as we jaunced along to the schoolyard. Long …
Date: August 3rd, 2004 |
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Climbing For a Cause
6 women, 6 causes, 6 personalities, and one big mountain: Mt. Kilimajaro in Tanzania.
Inspired by Mahatma Gandi’s famous quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” Kimberly Meade wanted to make a difference. She had a vision, a dream, and was now ready to put it into action.
Founded by Kimberly Meade, the ONE team was developed as a way for women to raise awareness of pressing issues in the world, helping to not only empower themselves through fundraising and publicity, but also to empower the communities and non-profit each of them represented.
Through letter writing, grass …
Date: June 10th, 2004 |
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Volunteer Project in Tanzania
Donovan Pacholl and his fiancé Carrie O’Callaghan moved to Tanzania in the spring of March 2002. He and Carrie wanted to really experience Africa, while also find a volunteer organization that helped work with local communities. Prior to his departure, Donovan met American-based International Mountain Explorers Connection (IMEC), a non-profit dedicated to helping mountain communities in developing countries. Since they were living on Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, this seemed like a perfect a fit.
1) Tell us briefly about your volunteer experience in Tanzania. What do you do?
Initially when I arrived in Tanzania, I was doing some …
Date: June 2nd, 2004 |
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Working at an Orphanage/Base of Mt. Kilimanjaro
Valerie Johnson, Director of Amani’s Childrens Home, first visited Tanzania in 1997 with a missions/service project. She graduated from Duke University, where she focused on African Studies, psychology, and Swahili. In 2001, she spent six months studying and volunteering in Mombasa, Kenya. She originally came to Moshi in July 2002 with a volunteer organization Visions In Action and now works in a leadership role at Amani, involved with staff-development, organizing the programmes of the home, and implementing fund-raising ideas. She lives a half-hour away from Amani with five other volunteers.
1) Tell us briefly about your volunteer experience at Amani. …
Date: June 18th, 2004 |
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Volunteer Interview Tracie Thorson
Tracie Thorson, a 29 year-old marketing executive from Seattle, Washington, decided to take a break from career and travel to Tanzania to volunteer for Cross Cultural Solutions. Although she only volunteered for three years, Tracie has many great things to say about her experience.
Below is a short interview with Tracie about her experiences, thoughts on volunteering and how she made the best of her experience.
1) Tell us briefly about your volunteer experience in Tanzania. What do you do?
I taught english, specifically grammar, and marketing which is my profession in the states. I worked in a school outside …
Date: June 7th, 2004 |
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