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Ever since I was about 10 years old I have wanted to go to Africa. I remember sitting on the computer day after day researching safaris and printing off tons of pages to show my dad when he got home from work. I would even make an excel sheet with prices of a safari and airfare. In college I almost went to South Africa to work at a school that a family friend was very involved in. After going through the whole application process and asking many questions, I decided the experience was not the right one for me. It would have been very structured, with a driver following me around, and no one else my age would have been there. Knowing myself, I wanted more freedom and adventure. After graduating from Ball State University last May, I was dead set on getting to Africa sometime within the next year. I had been talking, dreaming, researching, and planning this for too long. Everyone would ask what I was doing when I graduated, and my response was always, I'm going to Africa! (at the time I had nothing set up, and no real plans of going- only wishful thinking.) I decided instead of getting a job within my field (social work) I would get a simple job, close to home, that gave me the flexibility to leave if the opportunity presented itself.
That is when I started working at Primrose School as a preschool teacher and in the meantime, I was researching volunteer companies to go with to Africa. I had come across IVHQ and really liked what I saw. There prices are CHEAP and there were so many people my age volunteering with them all over the world! Of course, because the prices were so low, and it is a very big organization, my mom was not having any of it. She really wanted me to go on a mission trip with our church or another church, and to know the people I would be with. I definitely understood why she wanted this, I would too if my daughter wanted to go to Africa with random organization. But for some reason going on a mission trip or with a super expensive volunteer organization just did not seem right to me. Frustrated and at the point of defeat, I decided Africa was just not in the books for me at this point in time and maybe later in life I could make it there for a vacation.
That is when one fateful day while working at Primrose a girl came in for a working interview. She told me she had just gotten back from Tanzania (where I wanted to go) and she went with a company called IVHQ (who I wanted to go with) she said she had an amazing experience, loved every second of it, and was very satisfied with the company she chose. I couldn't even imagine out of all the people in the world this girl had just done exactly what I had been constantly thinking about for years and was in Westfield, IN telling me about it! She gave me her number and told me to have my mom contact her with any information. After my mom talking to her, and her mom she finally gave the go. Truthfully, I didn't believe she was serious, but once the plane tickets were booked I knew it was real. So now here I am, 3 days before my flight leaves and I AM GOING TO AFRICA! It still seems very surreal, and I'm sure it wont actually hit me until I am walking the streets of Arusha. As for now I have much more packing and getting prepared before my flight leaves. I will try and post again before I leave and explain what I know about where I am going, and what I will be doing while I'm there.
For now, Nakutakia siku njema!
Jess
- comments
Julie Sparks Yay Jess! Wow, didn't realize it has been a lifelong dream of yours. So happy for you and can't wait to see the photos and read more. Bon voyage!
donna drier Jess I can't wait to see pics and read about your daily adventures! Love you, Aunt Donna
Aunt Chris and Uncle Craig Jessica, This is Fantastic! It brought happy tears to my eyes! We are so proud of you! It just proves follow your dreams and they will come true! You are Amazing! Can't wait to hear every detail and see pics of all your adventures! Love you bunches! AC
Victoria betz You are going to africa cause that is where God wants you it all seems like a miracle everything coming together like it did. We will be praying for your safety and for your experience to be happy and fruitful. Be safe sweet jessica and i will be following your blog each day to hear of all the exciting experiences. Share yourself cause you are so beautiful inside and out. Much love
Victoria betz Are you there yet? Tired?excited? Confused and somewhat disorientated? Good that means all is well hahaha love you be safe be happy!