It all started with a movie...

I saw Hotel Rwanda when it was released in 2004. I was 16 at the time and working in a video shop. I had no idea about the genocide that had occurred in Rwanda. I was just looking for a good movie and it had “recommended viewing” on the cover. I never knew it would change my life.

As soon as the movie started I wanted to turn it off. I kept looking at the cover to make sure it really did say “based on true events”. True events? They had to be exaggerating. Surely?

I cried solidly for a few hours after the final credits. My mum tried to console me but I just could not stop sobbing. I remember asking “But why?, why?, why?” over and over again. It shocked me to my core. I just could not fathom that kind of abuse and destruction. I knew I wanted to dedicate my life in some way to making the world a better place.

The next day I decided to sponsor a child in Senegal, West Africa through World Vision. Daba was my first connection with Africa and I adored her letters and drawings.

When it came to Year 12 I knew I wanted to travel and I knew I wanted to volunteer. I did some research and settled on Ghana, West Africa. I took a gap year between high school and uni and for 3 months in 2009 I lived with a Ghanaian family and worked at a local primary school and an orphanage. This experience certainly didn't change the livelihood's of the children I worked with, but it certainly changed me. It inspired me to continue on my path and opened my eyes to what real poverty looked like. (Not just student poverty i.e. “I can't afford drinks at the pub, I'll take a goon sack in my bag”).

On arrival it was as if we had entered another world. It was 1am. The heat was unrelenting. It smelt of open sewers. There was a constant beeping from taxis making life and death lane changes. Mothers were sleeping with their babies on the median strips. It was shocking, raw.

TIA. This is Africa.

But I soon fell in love. Daylight came and we travelled from Accra to our village Ekwamkrom the following week. ("We" refers to myself and best friend, Kelei).

Ghana has a vibrant heart and a fascinating culture. It is artistic. It is soulful. It is all about colours and family and love. Hard work, huge smiles and dancing. Always dancing..

This blog is for anyone interested in international aid and development. I don't pretend to be an expert on the topic, I'm just hoping to draw from personal experience and document my studies in Communications Social Inquiry. I'm always learning and I would love to bounce ideas around with others who are passionate about global justice.

I hope I inspire you to stay committed to whatever gorgeous vision you have for the world.

With our own two hands, we can make a difference.