Tonight I embark on a 28 hour journey to Nairobi Kenya where I will be spending six weeks working at a school for children with disabilities as well as an HIV/AIDS prevention program. I don't think it has even hit me yet what I'm getting myself into. I have never traveled internationally, I don't know anyone and, let's face it, I'm terrible at navigation...I once got lost going to my own house...BUT, apart from my lack of natural sense of direction, I could not be more excited for this trip!
Words cannot describe how thankful I am that my parents and family and friends have supported me through this process. A special thank you to my parents who have been dedicated to making sure I don't miss any steps in the preparation. I know it is not easy to let me fly over 9000 miles to a foreign country with minimum communication but they know this is something I am passionate about and they have enough faith in me to let me do this on my own. I'm leaving on mother's day of all days but it just reminds me how lucky I am to have such wonderful parents and especially to have such a loving mother!
I decided to apply for this trip back in September 2012 because I wanted to travel with a purpose and I wanted to prove to myself that I could be independent and push myself to leave my comfort zone. I am a little nervous about the travel to Kenya but other than that, I feel excited and curious as to what I will find when I arrive. Being thrown into a world so different from my own is nerveracking but such a necessary experience in my opinion. To be honest, I don't like to label this as a "volunteer" trip. I understand I will be working within poverty stricken communities but I'm also aware that the people I meet are about to open my eyes and my heart to places I never imagined. I look at this trip as a time to explore a rich culture, a beautiful place and to discover truths about myself. From my past experiences with trips like this I know that I will gain a great deal more than I give which is overwhelming and incredible all at once.
I don't think anything or anyone can prepare me for what the next six weeks will bring but I have faith that I will learn to navigate this journey one way or the other. More than anything, I know I am not alone. I have all of you supporting me at home and I know God will never give me anything I cannot handle. I am blessed to have four special guardian angels looking out for me like they have throughout my life. Grandpa, this one's for you my friend, you have encouraged and inspired me to expand my horizons and seize the opportunities the world has to offer me and my courage comes from your compassion and confidence in my abilities.
Hopefully I will be able to keep this journal updated...I will try my hardest! I already appreciate anyone reading this who is taking this journey with me back at home.
Well...ready or not...Kenya here I come!
"I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it." -Rosalia de Castro
