Tiffany
TiffanyAlyssa
Tiffany
June 11, 2008
Hi everyone! Thanks for visiting our blog. As you know, Tiffany and I have been planning this trip for what seems like an eternity. After a ton of help from others, way too many needles and stress about packing... the trip is quickly approaching. We leave Prince George on June 21 and fly to Greece. Here we will embark on a nine day cruise through the Greek Islands, as well as Turkey. We are then flying back to London on June 30,and spending a few days with Tiffany's family. On July 5 we fly to Africa and will be there until the end of September.
Though everyone has probably heard us spewing out facts about RippleAfrica for the past 7 months, we wanted to give a little information about the charity and what we will be doing in case you haven't heard. You can also check out Ripple Africa's website for more information and to look at videos.
Ripple Africa is a charity based in Malawi, Africa who believes in giving a "hand up and not a hand out". This concept is essential to the development of the country and also in educating and promoting the skills needed for human growth. Ripple Africa does not just hand out money or food. Rather, they recognize the individual potential and promote local education. They teach and provide the materials needed to change Malawians lives. Some of their major projects include: education, healthcare and reforestation. We will be spending most of our volunteer timeworking within the schools and tutoring kids after school.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa and it also has one of the highest rates of HIV. It is said to be "the warm heart of Africa". The culture is very different from that of North America. Women are not equal to men and Malawi is a polygamous country. I am sure this will be very different for us, although, I have often thought that life would be easier if women were allowed to have more than one husband 😊 Women are expected to be dressed in skirts and never drink in public. No drinking might be a problem for Tiffany, as I have heard that she can be quite the party animal! I guess we will have to wait and see!!!
We can not wait to be in Africa and to be immersing ourselves into their culture and way of life. We both feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to help others and to experience life away from the material world. We hope that this experience changes our lives in a way that we can't even fathom. We are excited to be able to share our adventures, our downfalls and the moments that bring us to tears, with all of you.
Promise to write soon!
Love Tiffany and Alyssa
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