First Entry- Second Attempt

Being technologically challenged, I accidently created two different blogs. Well I had to delete both of them and this is my third attempt!
Here is the blog I wrote on April 16th.

4-16-2009

Hello All,

As you probably know, from May 9-31, 2009, I will be traveling to Rwanda, Africa to study abroad with students from Iowa State. Currently, we are 23 days away from leaving, and I am getting really excited! It's hard to believe that after first hearing about the program in September, it is almost here.

I first heard about the program while I was in Dr. Keino's FCEDS 206 class last fall. In 2008, Dr. Leah Keino took the first group of students to Rwanda, and they presented to my class to try gain some interest for the 2009 group. I was immediately intrigued! I called my parents right away to tell them, "I AM GOING TO AFRICA!!" Well as would be expected, they laughed at me and said, "No, you aren't!" It didn't take too long to convince them that I was serious about this, and this was something that I very much wanted to do. I appreciate the support of my wonderful sister, who thought it was a fabulous idea from the get go! Thanks Steph! Luckily, my parents jumped on board eventually as well. Now, my Mom is so excited she wants to go!

This is not a typical study abroad program. I am not going to officially take classes in a college in Rwanda, but that is what makes this program truly unique. While the group of 13 is in Rwanda, we will visit five different schools, the only college in Rwanda, learn about the history of the country, gorilla trek, plant trees, and work with the orphanage in Kigali (the capitol of Rwanda). The last couple of days, we will also go on safari in Tanzania.

I am majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education, and this opportunity will give me a global perspective on education. While in Rwanda we will observe in five very different schools. Some of the schools may mirror a typical American school in available resources, while others have no resources for the students to use. I have been so fortunate to have loving friends and family who have donated school supplies for me to take to these schools with no resources! I'm am pleased to say that with all of my donations thus far, I can almost fill two suitcases! THANK YOU! Unfortunately, I can only bring one suitcase for donations, so I'm going to have to borrow some storage from someone else.... Don't worry, everything will make to Rwanda!

I have also been receiving donations for the children in the orphanage. We will be visiting the orphanage every day, and each day we would like to plan an activity to do with the children as they have no formal "after school program". Last year, the ISU students brought soccer balls, Frisbees, and other fun things for kids. This year, we have been making nylon bags for the students and we are going to fill them with school supplies, toys, and nail polish (I guess they loved the ISU girls’ red and pink toes last year..boys and girls!) The Ames community has really pulled together to help sew these bags. I attempted to help sew a bag one day, but I ended up sewing a bag shut and spent the rest of the time seam ripping. Needless to say, after that experience my participation in the bag making has been through moral support. Mom and Grandma, we need to get to work on my sewing skills, or the improvement of the lack of my sewing skills!

This has probably been enough reading about me for one post, so I will spare you and stop. On my next blog, I will post our daily activities so you can know what I am up to each day...GET EXCITED!

With Love,
Courtney

P.S. A special thanks to everyone who has been a part of of supporting me either financially or through donations for the schools/orphanages! I appreciate your donations more than words can say!I did first names only just in case you are a private person...

• Dad and Mom
• Grandpa Jim and Grandma Joyce
• Grandpa Neal and Grandma Peg
• Kyle and Steph (McCartney and Lennon...my puppy nephews)
• Paula and Claude
• Don and Margaret
• Vince
• Steve and Jan
• Kevin and Sharon
• Pat and Wayne
• Marilyn and Vernon
• Sharon and Jan
• Lisa and Marty
• Will and Kathryn
• Mary Ann
• Randy, Laura, and Drew
• Ardie and Loa
• Tara
• Aunt Marge
• Mary and Duane
• Denny and Kristy
• Great Western Bank
• Carlisle Ridge Riders- you guys are great!

Thank you all so much!