I had a breakthrough in planning for the trip! I found an article by a really cool chick who started an organization in Kenya to help women get on their feet to actually support themselves and their families, and not only did she give a ton of helpful info about living over there and her first experience volunteering, but she also gave her number to meet up with her when we go AND a link to the Organization I’ve decided we are going to use to coordinate our trip…they are pretty awesome! It’s the International Volunteer Headquarters, and they will basically set us up to volunteer with whatever kind of place we want M-F 8-4, and put us with a host family for however long we want to stay there, and it’s actually WAY cheaper than just the HOTEL would have cost otherwise! I’m really excited…more details to come SOON!

Stay blessed!

A couple months ago, I decided that I want to take a trip to Africa. I want to see where this disease started; see where it has and is still doing the most damage. I want to volunteer with different organizations; find out what is being done and what needs to be done, and most of all: let the world know what needs to be done and hopefully inspire other people to open their eyes and help.

When I decided I wanted to go, I called one of my best friends who has had a lifelong dream of starting a school in another country, because I knew she would be as passionate about trying to help as I am. The plan is to spend a few weeks in Kenya next June/July. Kenya became our starting point because a family friend of Miriam’s runs an orphanage in Nairobi populated by AIDS orphans, so we will volunteer there and likely some testing/treatment centers. I may stay and spend more time exploring some other areas after Miriam comes back home, but that will depend largely on funds, so I will keep you updated as plans evolve.

This will be an ever-evolving site, so mark it and follow it regularly. I will try to begin adding posts with information about HIV/AIDS, it’s related diseases and issues, it’s history, the people and places affected, and much more. Being involved with this for so long, I already have a fairly broad base of information and am constantly trying to learn more, so I will share all I have. This is a scary disease, and one that is often swept under the rug…I’d like to think that with enough knowledge, we can roll back that rug with some effort, face what is happening, and  put a halt to people’s suffering.

Thanks for visiting this site! Please come back!

-Courtney