Taking A Step Outside My Comfort Zone

In six weeks I will be traveling to Bo, Sierra Leone Africa. Yes, Africa! If you were to ask any family member or friend of mine what they thought of Lindsey Williams, "Miss. High Maintenance" going to Africa, they would laugh and not believe you. This has been the reaction from just about everyone I have shared this with over the past several weeks as I have been preparing to go on this trip. Although I am scared out of my mind, I know it is an opportunity I couldn't let down, an opportunity that will probably change my life forever.

Last semester I met Dr. Laura Horvath, a professor of mine who shared with the class, on many occasions, the work she does with the Child Rescue Centre (CRC), as the chair of the education committee. After hearing several heartwarming stories I found myself growing more and more interested in the work she did there. I stayed after class one day to find out even more about the CRC. I asked her if she could bring any students on the trip and she talked to the CRC committee and brought me an application to fill out. Not really thinking much of it, I filled out the application and turned it in. I was pretty excited but I didn't even know if I would be allowed to go and I didn't even really know much about the trip in general. Several weeks later I found out that I was chosen to join the March team on their trip to Africa. By participating in this trip I will be receiving three credits as an independent study through the preparation for the trip, the work I do while I am in Africa, and by completing a Multigenre paper at the end of my journey.

I am still learning about the CRC and the work they do there. The CRC is made up of 70 children who are orphans from the brutal diamond war that ended in 2000. This organization was created to give these children shelter, food, clothing, and ensure that they receive the best education possible. Dr. Laura Horvath oversees that these children receive and continue to receive that great education that every child is worthy of. To find out more about the CRC you can click here.

While I am there, I will be observing the classrooms and schools the CRC children attend. In the evenings I will be working with students on the CRC base where the children live, tutoring and helping some of them prepare for their college entrance exams. As an elementary education major and future teacher, I am looking forward to this experience. I am currently doing my internship in a second grade classroom. I have been sharing with the class this journey and explaining to them what I will be doing in Africa. Their enthusiasm and excitement they show makes me even more excited for my trip.

As the trip gets closer and closer the more nervous I find myself. I have never traveled outside of the United Sates before expect to Mexico and the Caribbean. Having my first trip outside of the "real world" be to Africa is an extremely scary thing. I don't like flying, so just crossing the Atlantic Ocean and embarking on that extremely long trip is a huge thing for me. When I start thinking about this trip too much I find myself going from excitement to being scared out of my mind very quickly. At times I find myself thinking about all of the things that could possibly go wrong or happen to me on this trip and it absolutely terrifies me. However, I know that I will be in good hands and among many prayers of my family and friends for the safety of me as well as the rest of my team members I will be traveling with.

This is an experience that not everyone gets to encounter in their lifetime. Growing up I was very involved with my church participating in several mission trips, spreading the word of God. When I started college I found myself not as involved anymore and struggling to find the time to do what I love, making a difference in people's lives. With graduation in May quickly approaching, I will be starting a new chapter in my life. I couldn't think of a better way to begin this new chapter. I know that this experience will change my life forever, not only as a person, but as a friend, family member, and future teacher. It is very easy to get wrapped up in the crazy everyday life we live in from day to day and forget about the millions of people around the world who need our help. I am blessed that I am able to travel to Bo, Sierra Leone and lend a hand in making a difference in the lives of these children. What an experience it will be.