Hi, I'm Sydney McMillen! I'm a junior at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Child Development. I have been given the incredible opportunity to work with the Living Soul Foundation this summer in Kigoma, Tanzania. Child pregnancy is serious issue in Tanzania. 23% of Tanzanian girls are pregnant by age 19. When this happens, many of them are disowned by their families and banned from school, finding themselves on the streets homeless. LSF is committed to helping provide shelter, education, and medical care for these women. The center’s vision is to educate, equip, and empower these women to return to their communities ready to positively impact the next generation. 

While in Kigoma I will be teaching the staff and young mothers about the fundamentals of child development, nutrition, and health. I will also travel with LSF to remote villages to help teach seminars to women on how to safely deliver a baby, detecting signs of danger during pregnancy, nursing, reproductive education, and many other related health topics.

I leave for Tanzania towards the end of May and come back in early July. My efforts there will be entirely volunteer based, thus I need to raise the necessary funds to cover my trip's cost of $3,250. This cost goes towards covering the expenses of plane tickets, food and lodging, and a business volunteer visa. It would mean the world to me if you would consider supporting me. Donations of any and all sizes are so very appreciated. 

I'm beyond excited to go serve the people of Tanzania, and humbled by this opportunity I have to make a difference in their lives. Raising this large sum of money in a month is just a tad nerve-racking, but I trust that if this is where the Lord has called me, and I believe it is, then he will provide. 

Thank you for considering contributing to my gofundme, if you'd like your donation to be tax deductible, instead please make a check out to Living Soul Foundation in care of me and mail it to:
2301 Vanderbilt Place
PMB 355819
Nashville, TN 37235-5819 

To learn more about this nonprofit organization watch the video below or visit: Living Soul Foundation Homepage