Okay...so my trip to South Africa is coming up very quickly....I'm excited, nervous and filled with much anticipation! I leave in about 9 weeks. I keep running through my "things to do" list, and I actually think I'm almost ready. Setting up this blog site was one of the few things I had left to do. I've gotten all of my immunizations, my meds, my passport and my airline ticket.
My goal is to raise awareness as much as it is to travel abroad and actually help those affected by HIV/AIDS. Maybe....just maybe, sharing my experience will inspire just one person to volunteer. Perhaps it will serve as an educational tool, giving people a better understanding of the effect this horrendous disease has on people that are infected as well as those that aren't infected but are directly affected by losing loved ones. Maybe it will help squash the bigotry and discrimination that seems all too common. Maybe people will start to see that HIV/AIDS doesn't discriminate. It doesn't matter your race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Just maybe...I can make a difference.
So, here I am...my blog has been created and this is where I will journal every day from Cape Town. I fly out of Orlando on February 8th. Please bookmark this site and visit often. Tell your friends about it, send them the link.
About Me
- Rhonda
- Orlando, FL, United States
- I have done some sort of volunteer work for the past few years, primarily with the homeless. Recently I have felt this strong need to volunteer globally and try and make a bigger difference. That, coupled with my ongoing desire to work with those affected by HIV/AIDS, spurred me to plan a trip to South Africa.
6 comments:
This is so exciting and we are so proud of you.
Uncle Danny
Hey Rhonda,
Missed U at Dave & Beth's holiday party. Congratulations on your decision to travel to S. Africa. Shane will be going there on a HIV/Aids medical mission in May, after he finishes his third year at Johns Hopkins. Didn't hear anything about immunizations/meds required yet. Looking forward to hearing about your experiences! Happy New Year.
Joy & Donny
WAY TO GO RHONDA! How exciting and what a wonderful thing you are doing. Plus you are teaching the kids what it really means to give back to the world.
I am so proud to know you. Can't wait to read all your amazing adventure stories.
love you,
Brenda
Dear Rhonda, My name is Tim. I don't know you, but I do know your Mom. I'm not at all suprised that her daughter has taken on, what I am sure will be an exciting, eminently important, worthwhile and tremendously rewarding adventure. I'll be following closely and looking forward to your journal entries with great interest. You have not ONLY chosen the "road not taken," but the road most DIFFICULT. There are simply not enough good people willing to perform such selfless acts of kindness and service for those among us who need them the most. For that,you are to be both applauded and commended. You sound every bit the amazing young woman your Mom describes and is so immensely and extraordinarily proud of. May God be with you and bless you on this fantastic journey of a lifetime you are about to undertake. Go and do good, for goodness sake.
Hey Rhonda!
You're satrting a wonderful adventure and doing a worthy cause.
All the best, and be careful.
Bruce
Dear Rhonda,
Your kids sound wonderful! The work you're doing will produce more goodwill than you can imagine.
I have favorite charities; military families and the North Dakota Souix, but I can certainly forgo that extra latte' and give something to whatever you organize when you return. Please contact me.
Bruce (Tyler's SEAL friend)
Post a Comment