Tulia, Simba.

Hujambo avid blog readers. I am pretty new to this, so please forgive me for the horrible spelling, wording, sentence structure, and all around sloppy writing. In case you haven't heard, I am heading to Tanzania today where I will be volunteering through Cross Cultural Solutions. I am heading out on a jet plane today (April 24th), landing in Amsterdam for about four hours (not enough time to really do any damage), and then heading to the Kilimanjaro airport. I will be there for six weeks, and missing home every day spent gone. I would usually love being away from home and experiencing something new (not saying that I won't), but this time it feels different. As many of you know my brother recently had brain surgery, and is heading in for round two on the 27th. I wish I could be there to see him off and be there to see him as soon as he reaches the ICU. I know that he will be in good hands, and the love of all of our family and friends - thank you for all of your support. I asked him the other day if he wanted me to stay home, because I would be more than glad to - he insisted that I follow through on my plans. I can't really describe the feeling of having wanted to go somewhere so badly all of my life, and then feeling the onset of guilt and loss for going - not that great of a feeling, but I am sure it will only make me stronger when I am there. I know that Shane has a support network far greater than any of the women who I will be supporting do, and that gives me reason to continue my work.

Now onto information as to what I will be doing. I found out about my placement just a few days ago, and am happy to inform that it is a very "unique" one. Mama Grace thought that I would really enjoy working with both of the women's groups there - which I indeed will! The first three weeks will be spent working with the Jipe Moyo Women's Group (which is an Organization for Women's Empowerment). The mission of the program is to help a group of women who are living with HIV/AIDS. They were once apart of a larger organization, but soon split due to corruption within the larger group of women. I will be helping the women by supporting them in their pursuit for healthy and sustainable livelihoods, engaging in discussions and ideas (such as family health, women's rights, access to resources, income generation...), support new and on going projects, teach conversational English, create new advertisements for their businesses, share fundraising skills, teach kids, and participate in activities that outreach to the local community through home visits to the sick and counseling. The following three weeks will be spent doing many of the same things, but with the Kilimahewa Women's Group. I don't know what to expect, or what the women will expect from me - but I know something great will come of it. I really want to focus on community involvement and how the women can better educate young girls on their rights, personal health, and creating a stable income.

Other than that, I can expect rain most of the days I am there since it is the long rainy season. I don't think that will really damper my experience, maybe just get my boots a bit more muddy? I will be working during the week, and then have free time during the weekends to spend on exploring the land and culture. I hope to hike near Kilimanjaro, go to a few national parks, wrestle a lion, possibly hop on a small plane to Zanzibar, shop the local markets, and meet some amazing people.

I'm not sure how often I will be updating you on my experience there, but know that I will be more than happy to share with you when I return on June 6th.

Asante! (thank you in Swahili) I appreciate all of the support towards my brother and this trip. Please be kind, tell your family and friends you love them, and remember your mother (earth that is).

Just a few lyrics to ponder - "Strip away the layers and reveal your soul, you've got to give yourself up and then you become whole..."

Just a thought to ponder during the end of this earth week - To forget about protecting the earth is to forget about yourself, your loved ones, your home, and the future. Walk gently, love openly, and give yourself to others with an open mind, heart, and arms.