Asante Sana Africa

Someone once told me, “Its better to not have expectations, so you don’t get disappointed when they aren’t met.”

They told this to me because I am a high expectations kind of girl. I thrive off that period of time before an event occurs, when you can imagine how wonderful it could be. I realize this characteristic is more of a curse than a gift at times but it is a part of me, it is who I am. That being said, my expectations from the moment I entered the contest and decided – I REALLY WANT TO WIN THIS THING, were very high. My mother tried to rationalize with me by telling me “Kelly, don’t get your heart set on this… you did your best and that’s all you can do,” but my heart was set on Africa. 

Before traveling to Africa I dreamt of all the Women who I could help, stories I would capture and people I would meet. Reflecting back on my trip now, I am still in a state of shock. Tanzania exceeded all of my expectations. Women were helped, stories were shared and the Young Ambassadors for Opportunity couldn’t have been a greater group of people to travel with. Having high expectations does create disappointments, but having them met – is the best feeling in the world.

Thank you Opportunity International and Young Ambassadors for Opportunity for working so diligently to transform the lives of Working Women everywhere. Not only have you given the Women of Tanzania new hope, but you have also given me an experience filled with an incredible amount of passion, insight and knowledge that I will never forget. I am proud to be someone with high expectations and believe that those
who work hard to change the world have them too.

Inspirational Things

If you can’t get to Africa just yet, here are a few things that will help you experience it without getting on a plane.


A Thousand Sisters: My Journey into the Worst Place on Earth to Be a Woman
- Lisa Shannon 

This book started as a quirky EAT PRAY LOVE with a 30 something year old American Woman trying to escape her life and find herself again. Then Lisa goes to the Congo. It’s not easy reading through the chapters of her Congo sister’s stories who have been raped, murdered and brutally beaten but she forces you to go through the horrible truths that she see’s on her journey. I am not sure how this book would have impacted me if I myself had not been in Africa while reading it, but I felt as though I too had met these women and felt obligated to help them.

A Small Act - A Film by Jennifer Arnold

This beautiful documentary is a wonderfully told story of a boy in Kenya who gets sponsored by a woman in Sweden only to grow up and graduate from Harvard. Now starting a Non-Profit in her honor, he is determined to meet and thank her for what she has done for him. I believe every donor is curious as to how much their contribution has helped someone and this particular story is evidence to one of the many success stories in Africa. They also follow three young children competing for a scholarship so they too can become a successful educated Kenyan who goes to University. Its hard to watch this and not want to donate immediately after.

“Uthant’s Sewing School for Young Girls”

Meet Uthant
On his second loan cycle with Opportunity Tanzania, Uthant is a great example of how success can lead to community growth. Uthant currently runs a small sewing shop in the Nairo-Themi neighborhood near Arusha. His business consists primarily of repairing school uniforms for children but he dreams of expanding his practice to help the local girls learn how to sew. I can see it now with “Uthant’s Sewing School for Young Girls” on a sign outside his shop filled with the humming noise filled with possibilities. For these young girls, especially those who cannot afford to go to school, learning a trade such as sewing is important so they can find work and help with the family income. I wish Uthant luck and hope that he can continue to grow and prosper.

Friday- SAFARI!

Today the Young Ambassadors for Opportunity adventured into Arusha National Park on a SAFARI! An entire day dedicated to enjoying the wildlife of Africa fully equipped with land rovers, tour guides, a hike, lunch and unforgettable animals.

Thursday - Faraja Center

AJ and his new friend playing

Abbie with the girls in the kitchen

Shredding carrots never seemed to pretty

Sara enjoying the company of another energetic woman

The beautiful Young Women of the Faraja Center in Arusha, Tanzania

Thursday – A letter to Marika

Dear Marika,

I am overwhelmed with happiness from our visit today. I am so thankful that A.J. (who is the Business Development and Donations Manager in Tanzania) found the Faraja Center and suggested we spend a day with you and the other Young Women who live there.  I don’t quite know how to tell others who weren’t at FYWDU today how absolutely magical it was, but I have a hunch that you can relate to how I am feeling. I was connected to you instantly when catching your eye in the kitchen when Sophia took us YAO members on a tour of the compound.  I couldn’t wait to come back and interact with you. I was so impressed how you taught me how to roll out and swirl around those cinnamon bun looking rolls even though I only speak 4 words of Swahili and you’re still learning English. We laughed not knowing what we were laughing about and finished our cooking duties with great success.

In another life, perhaps we were sisters; perhaps you didn’t have to go through all the horrific things you have endured in your life. Perhaps you could find love or college before having your child. The food we shared tasted so sweet because we made it together, the songs you sang in Swahili made sense to me even though I don’t speak your language, and the hug you gave me at the end of the day meant more to me than any other hug I have ever received. I hope we meet again someday Marika, but until then I will have to have faith that Mama Siara and the Faraja Young Women Development Center will provide you with all of the tools you will need to carry out a successful, prosperous and meaningful life.

All my love.
Your sister,
Kelly

Wednesday – A Woman to Admire

Meet Valerie.
When I wrote my essay “Working Women” to win the trip I am currently on, I imagined how incredible the women of Africa would be and how they would change my life. Little did I know then that not only would the motivated women of Africa move me, but the Opportunity Tanzania staff and YAO members would too.

Valerie is my heroine. She modestly mentioned to me that she volunteered in South Africa at an Orphanage to teach children with aids by herself for 5 months. Her courage and kindness oozed out of the stories she told me. Before her, I had only heard stories of young women who are brave enough to put their lives second, and help complete strangers in a foreign country first. Despite the risks, she pursued her passion of helping children in Africa. I am so honored to be spending time with Valerie and hope that her courage and kindness rub off on me. 

Wednesday – Knowledge Exchange

If knowledge is power then let us exchange, listen and learn from each other.

 

Young Ambassadors for Opportunity have lunch with Loan Officers to make observations and comparisons about business in Tanzania and the U.S. followed by sharing ideas to pave a better path for the future. Turns out, business isn’t as different across the globe as I expected. The challenges vary between countries, but the overall concepts are similar and the desire to continue to grow and improve is borderless.