the initial notion

For probably 7 years I've known that I want to go to Africa. For maybe 6 years I've talked about doing it. For 4 years I've imagined what the trip would look like, what I'd do while I was there, how long I would go for, and when I would accept the adventure that was calling to me. But beginning February '07 I starting moving on it. And it turns out, it's not really looking like anything I could have imagined!

So here I am now and this is my rough idea of how Africa and I will finally meet. I really want to do something with purpose and meaning. I want to create something sustainable and not of my desire but using my design input. There's no point in going to another place, land or country to make changes that reflect my assumption of need. Or worse, with the idea that you're going to fix it yourself. The only way to be successful when volunteering and reaching out across cultural boundaries is to work side by side with the community and develop based on the unique needs and interests that exist. With this in mind I decided to not pursue the more typical commercialized routes for international volunteerism. Ideally I want to work with locals for local causes, not impose an outsider perspective and inevitably create more unnecessary work and stress for the community.

I agree with this quote...
"If you've come here to help me, you're wasting your time. But if you've come here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." Lilla Watson

With this echoing in the back of my mind, I'm super excited about this adventure and can't wait to see what the world throws at me!