Note: This information is from before my trip and is therefor out-dated, a new website will be available soon!
What can one person do in just seven* weeks? Improve lives!
Acholi children (photo courtesy of Aid Africa)
I've been saving for a trip to Uganda this April (2012) for humanitarian work, it's expensive and I'd love some help! I will be working with Aid Africa to improve living conditions for the Acholi people, a tribe that has been terrorized by war and overcome many obstacles, but at a great cost. Babies there die from the lack of something so seemingly simple as transportation to the hospital. But how do you get your infant to the hospital when it's hours away and you've no vehicle or fuel? Let alone you have to leave your other children at home because you must be at the hospital to feed and take care of the sick child. We have nurse's assistants and the like in first-world countries, but those in third-world countries face a very different reality.
I am beginning to understand how extremely important it is to truly and whole-heartedly understand the people if I want to help them. Sending mosquito nets does nothing but waste resources if they don't understand how and why to use them. The problems are much more complex when you take a closer look. I plan to immerse myself in these problems so I can understand exactly why they exist and be confident in my ways of helping. This is my first trip to a third world country and I can hardly wait to come back home and share my experience with friends and family. I am hoping to have internet access often enough to upload pictures onto this site regularly while I'm there. Most importantly, if anyone is interested in coming along with me on this or future trips, send me an email! There are also various ways to donate, so please check them out if you are in a position to help. Thanks so much for reading!
Update: The trip was postponed a week due to a passport issue! Things are in motion and I'll be leaving Monday, April 23rd
*Update #2: I had such an amazing experience that I extended my trip by three weeks. There's just too much to do!
I am beginning to understand how extremely important it is to truly and whole-heartedly understand the people if I want to help them. Sending mosquito nets does nothing but waste resources if they don't understand how and why to use them. The problems are much more complex when you take a closer look. I plan to immerse myself in these problems so I can understand exactly why they exist and be confident in my ways of helping. This is my first trip to a third world country and I can hardly wait to come back home and share my experience with friends and family. I am hoping to have internet access often enough to upload pictures onto this site regularly while I'm there. Most importantly, if anyone is interested in coming along with me on this or future trips, send me an email! There are also various ways to donate, so please check them out if you are in a position to help. Thanks so much for reading!
Update: The trip was postponed a week due to a passport issue! Things are in motion and I'll be leaving Monday, April 23rd
*Update #2: I had such an amazing experience that I extended my trip by three weeks. There's just too much to do!
FINAL UPDATE: I made it back safely and had the most incredible time, words can't explain how this experience has changed my life. Thank you to everyone who helped me get there, and all the wonderful souls I met while on my journey. And I do have plans to go back!
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I really can't thank everyone enough! Thank you for the support, the love, the rides to train stations and bus stops, the patience, and all the positivity you have given me so that I can go and share it with those who need it most! Thank you from my whole heart!!!
How to Donate:
Tax deductible donations to Aid Africa can be made online at http://www.aidafrica.net or can be mailed to:
Aid Africa
3916 Pennsylvania Ave.
La Crescenta, CA 91214
*Funds donated to Aid Africa can be specified for water projects, fuel efficient stoves, trees, or Isaac Okello's school fund (please specify on your check or when donating via paypal)
Donations can also be made directly to me (specify if you'd like it to go towards more goats for my friend Graty or Isaac Okello's school fees, costs for my next trip, etc.):
Checks can be mailed to:
Kyla Mitchell
2975 E. Indianapolis Ave.
Fresno, CA 93726-2313
Emails can be submitted on the Contact page
**All donations are tracked on the Expenses and Donations Made page.