Help Send Me Back To Tanzania!

Last summer I had the privilege to go to the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania and volunteer at Gabriella Rehabilitation Centre, which is a school for children with special needs. I was so lucky to be placed at this school and was thrilled when I found out that's where I would spend all my time, considering how passionate I am about my work with disabled youth. But it is not a job that you are looked up to for having in Tanzania. These children are outcasted in their country because they are considered to be a curse on the community, which is why many of them live at the school which doubles as an awareness program. The founder goes out and finds these children who are being treated poorly because of their disabilities while also getting the stigma across that they are just like everyone else. Within the school there is a kindergarten class and a special education class. Children get pulled out of the classes to work with occupational therapists and to learn life skills such as tending to rabbits, cleaning, and cooking. Working with them for 5 weeks drastically changed my life. The teachers and children are some of the most extraordinary people and never ceased to put literally the biggest smile on my face. While there, another volunteer and I helped organize the school more by implementing a PEC system (picture exchange communication) which helped the students understand where they were supposed to be and when. I want to follow up on this program as well as continue to implement other new things when I return. The opportunity to put what I learned inside a classroom into practice in real life is just what I need, considering the fact that I am studying to become a teacher. I will also be able to use my education to evaluate what other needs the students may have.
In some of my free time, I visited orphanages in the area and met a boy named Innocent who was affected by polio and cerebral malaria. He was in need of funding to get the support he needed from a school like Gabriella and now I am lucky enough to get to sponsor him :)
The people and this country have made me realize what I want to do with my life. I cannot imagine not returning this summer and just the thought of being with all the children there makes me ecstatic!!!! I am especially excited to see how Innocent is doing at Gabriella as well. I have been planning my return trip with 2 girls who I met while there last year and could not be more excited to share this experience again with them. We are hoping to stay for 2 months this time around so that we can have time to do as much volunteering as possible with the kids we have grown to love so much!
I cannot deny the fact that I love these kids and want to maintain the relationships I began a year ago. I would love the opportunity to watch them grow up to have happy, productive lives!
Your donation would help fund airfare and housing and any extras will go towards school supplies and shoes for the kids!


Please consider donating so I can make a difference in these kiddo's lives just like they have already in mine. I cannot put into words how much these kids mean to me!