hi there readers. carrie here.
i took a break from behind my camera lens to write a little diddy. truth is, really, there isn’t much i can say. nothing i can say will properly convey what it’s like to be here. and i hope, that by seeing photos and reading blogs and (soon) seeing videos, you’ll want to come for yourself. i’m telling you. spend a week in africa, visiting these places, and if it doesn’t change your life or just completely shake your head for a spin, then you can call me a liar.
it’s a different experience for me this year. i’m trying to capture everything, either with still photos or video, and i get a chance to kind of watch everyone’s interactions. i enjoy it because i like when at the end of the day, we look through our photos and go OH MAN, that’s a good one. i’m glad i can help to capture some of the trip for people.
we have been at new dawn for the last few days. this is the high school that was built with the support of the mocha club. we spent a few days there last year, and interacted with the students and teachers – but this year we’re really getting a chance to immerse ourselves. we painted a room today where 15 boys will stay, as a safe haven for them to stay while they are in school. perhaps their home lives are not very stable right now and this is going to be a dorm for them to stay and keep safe and out of trouble, while allowing them to focus and fellowship with their classmates. we painted it today, and it was amazing. i filmed a time lapse and i’ll be putting that together soon. it will be awesome. it was a great team bonding experience and i think everyone is happy with the outcome. we have some touch up painting and detailing to do tomorrow, but it’s almost done. check it out:
i have to say, it has been a great experience with this group of people. though i knew half of the people from last year’s trip, and of course, my twin – we are all really gelling as a team. for as quiet as everyone was on the conference calls this year, we sure aren’t shy in person. i have gotten a chance to chat with everyone at some point, and it has been a fantastic experience.
one thing i’ve been really excited about are the gifts bags. having been here last year, we knew some of the things that the people needed, so we decided early on that we wanted to do some gift bags. turns out, i was able to get some of the old volunteer bags and t-shirts from tribeca, as they were going to be thrown away, and so that’s how i had 5 checked bags of luggage on the way here. i stuffed all 5 bags with about 250 bags and 250 shirts. and it was all worth it. i’ll talk a little bit more about it later on, as i’m having trouble keeping my eyes open. however, let me just say that tomorrow, our last day at new dawn, is going to be epic. i think these kids have no idea what is coming their way. i am so excited that, despite how tired i am, i may not be able to sleep.
this place just makes you feel good. even with all of the heartache that you have when you see the conditions people are leaving in, you see the good. you see the happiness. you hear the songs. you feel the love. and you absolutely see their faith.
it is inspiring and it is a feeling i have yet to find anywhere else in the world.
oh, and by the way, the dormitory i mentioned before? it’s been renamed now. it’s called mocha. in honor of our team.
i most definitely need africa, way more than africa needs me.
-carrie
