January 6th Blog Assignment

1.) What is your biggest fear going into this experience?

Going into these trips always creates some sense of fear, which is expected. Even after going on two trips with CGA there are still things that scare me for Tanzania. My biggest fear is coming back knowing that I didn’t do everything in my power to make a difference. This scares me speechless because those kids deserve every ounce of work and love you can give and I never want to sell them short of what they deserve. Having this fear is a blessing in disguise because it will motivate me to give it everything I have so I not only don’t let myself down but I won't let the kids down.

2.) What do you think will be the most difficult?

  These trips are not easy, it isn’t going to play with orphans and stay in luxury hotels and spoil the kids with money, it’s about spoiling them with the work you do to make a difference. With this work always comes difficulties, which make achieving the overall goal even more satisfying. After talking with Lisa Marie about what the kids are like and what Tanzania is like I think the most difficult thing will be connecting with the kids. In Nicaragua and Cambodia especially, the kids give you their love just for being there, in Tanzania your love is earned. I think this will be the most challenging but also the most rewarding aspect. The harder you have to work for something the more fulfilling, the result. I think that when we get through to the kids it will be even more gratifying because of the work we put into getting to know them.

3.) In what ways do you think you will change?

Each trip is different and each trip requires different things and makes different changes in each person. After Tanzania, I think I will change the most by a growth in my confidence. Not like a cocky confidence or self absorbed confidence, but rather the confidence to stand up in a classroom of students speaking Swahili and teach them in order to earn respect and love. I think it will help me to become more comfortable with myself and allow me to help more people.