I have never done a blog before or any kind of online journal. Though I admit to being addicted to several of my friends' blogs. After a lot of thought, much research and a several month application period, I am planning to spend next summer in Ethiopia. I will be volunteering at AHOPE Ethiopia- information about AHOPE is in the panel on the right of your screen. Huge thanks to my friend Claire for helping me set up this blog and to my friend Sarah for introducing me to AHOPE.
Why am I going?
That is a question that has been asked of me quite a bit since I made this announcement to my friends and family. I talk alot about making a difference and making the change you want to see when I am with my students. I am an elementary school social worker and I want them to do their part in making our world a better place, even if it is one peace loving 3rd grade classroom at a time. I've done a lot of reading about the global AIDS crisis as well as the role or lack thereof of the USA.
I believe in taking action-- and while I do not have the power to make our government change(although I certainly believe in supporting good candidates and voting!!
GET OUT AND VOTE NOVEMBER 4th!) or have the finances of Oprah to build schools-- I wanted to find out what I could do. So I researched, cause I research and after a lot of soul searching for lack of a better word- I decided since I still have my summers off... I could spend a summer helping out at AHOPE. And that is how I look at it, I don't expect to change the world but I can do my small part in helping.
While of course I hope you will follow my journey and help me make it as successful as we can-- my wish for you all is to
TAKE ACTION- vote, volunteer, help your neighbor, explain global warming, recycle, use resusable grocery bags, give to your favorite charity (or mine!!!)
