Why?

I am creating a blog in an attempt to document my travels. I can't imagine starting a blog without mentioning the Child Rescue Centre. This was my first experience in Africa, and radically changed my life. Sierra Leone is a beautiful country in West Africa that is best-known around the world for its brutal civil war and association with blood diamonds. Unfortunately, many people cannot look past this negative perception.

My first trip to the Child Rescue Centre was December 2010, and I quickly returned for a second trip in August 2011. It is impossible for me to describe how much this experience changed me. Before I went to Africa I was lost. My life wasn't going in a certain direction and I was unhappy. I felt as though I did not have a purpose and was constantly frustrated with my insignificant life.

The CRC transformed me. I met children who drastically changed the way I viewed life. They have lost so much. They are all orphans either from the civil war, poverty, or other unfortunate circumstances that prevent their family members from providing proper care for them. Before my trip when I thought about these children, I expected them to be broken. But when I arrived I realized that they were the happiest people I have ever met. Those children are so filled with joy and love. It was overwhelming for me to experience such authentic happiness.

I feel linked to these children. Even though I was only able to spend a few weeks with them, I feel more deeply connected to some of them than people I have known for years. It has been frustrating for me to return home and deal with negative people. If only everyone understood how amazing life is. In Sierra Leone, life is a precious gift to be enjoyed. In America, life is often seen as yet another thing to complain about. 

The Child Rescue Centre has made me realize that I want to devote my life to helping others. I know that I will not change the world. Service is a wonderful thing, but in the end sometimes it changes you more than the people you intended to help. I am forever changed because of the CRC, and this blog will be my attempt at giving back and making an impact (however small) on this world.