Colleen's Study Abroad - Africa 2024

Hi! Would you partner with me in donating to the incredible opportunity ahead of me?

On December 29th, 2023, I depart for a multi-purpose trip to Africa.

My first stop will be in Kigali, Rwanda, where I can experience the organization I've been supporting since 2018, Africa New Life. At the end of my trip to Rwanda, I will have the opportunity to meet my sponsor child, Celine. I first met Celine through writing when he was nine years old, and we have continued to exchange letters and share about our cultures over the years. I'm excited to meet him and his family and witness their life in Rwanda. It has been an honour to watch him grow in faith, knowledge, and skill, and I look forward to continuing to support him as he enters secondary school next year, but most of all, I look forward to finally playing soccer with him.

I will spend the next four weeks in Cape Town, South Africa, living and participating in practicum for my degree. Here, I'll work in two children's hospitals, engaging with child life specialists and learning how to best help children experiencing healthcare crises. I had many options as to where to complete my practicum; I chose South Africa for a multitude of reasons, primarily because as I wrap up my education in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in child life and look toward where I want to go with my career, the answer is abroad. This experience allows me to push my knowledge and creativity outside my comfort zone as I experience new cultures, languages, and financial situations that will better prepare me for life in other countries.

For those unfamiliar with child life, child life specialists are invested in the psychosocial health of patients and their families. We aim to help children (infants, youth, adolescents) and families remain emotionally and physically safe and enjoy normalcy during hospitalizations, procedures, or other medical events. We use developmentally appropriate preparation, education, coping skills, and play. Our background and education are heavily based on child development, developmental theory, the impact of illness and injury on families, and evidence-based best practices. Our care offers a family-centered approach to help the patient and family cope with the stress and uncertainty that often accompanies medical care. We are safe people for children and their caregivers. Child life programmes are worldwide, and in the US, The American Academy of Pediatrics endorses us as an indicator of high-quality patient and family-focused care. A hospital with child life services is committed to excellence in pediatric care.

I will create a breakdown of expenses in an update to show where the funds will be distributed. Tuition, travel expenses, housing, providing additional assistance to Celine and his family, maintaining my apartment in Denver, and food are the main avenues.

I know the financial world is a, pardon my French, shit show right now - if a monetary donation is not possible, there are still other ways to support me. Would you share my campaign with those you know? Would you offer prayers for the other students joining me in Cape Town, the hospitalized children and families we will care for, the staff who will diligently train us, Africa New Life and the support they provide to over 11,000 Rwandan students seeking better opportunities, or simply just for safe travels?

I know that many moments ahead of me will require my patience, empathy, and ways of coping with seeing children in difficult situations; I appreciate any positive thoughts and prayers of protection for myself and the lives I will meet along the way.