Molo Unjani
Molo Unjani! (Hello, how are you in Xhosa) Last week was my first week of work and it was wonderful and challenging and unpredictable. Our residents have been teaching me Xhosa, and I can proudly say I know about 10…
Category Stories
Topic: Kathmandu Traffic | यातायात
This is what it sounds like. Feel free to listen as you read this short description of—you guessed it—Kathmandu traffic. Parked About 10% of the time, traffic in the heart of Kathmandu is parked. Taxis, buses, motorcycles, and tuk-tuks alike…
Ansanm N’ap Vanse
Ansanm n’ap vanse. Together we move forward. My high school freshman year RTI teacher had a sign by the door of her classroom saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”…
Week One || पहिलो हप्ता
Arrival. Airport. Visa. Baggage claim. Sim card booth. Someone waving a sign with my name on it. A dusty dark midnight Thursday ride through decrepit streets made of rocks and sand. Hotel. Shower. A few “new phone, it’s me—I’m here…goodnight” texts.…
Back Home!
Hello from Cape Town!!! I cannot express how good it feels to finally be back to this beautiful country. In fact, I cried when my plane landed at Cape Town International Airport. I arrived in the most beautiful beach town,…
In the Swing of Things
17 days in Ecuador down! I’ve acclimatized to the altitude, learned how to navigate the bus system, spent a week with a host family, and most importantly, started leading my programs with the Manna Project. Here is a rundown of…
I want to remember everything.
Sawadee ka, from America! I’ve been home from Thailand for a few weeks now, and am wrapping up my blog with this final post. Since my return, I’ve been trying to process everything I experienced, and keep the wonderful memories…
From Ecuador, With Love
First full week in Ecuador: check. I’m currently in the final step of my Ecuador orientation: my host family stay. The Huertas live in Fajardo, a tiny rural community that is a ten-minute walk from the Manna Project. When I…
Day One in Ecuador and Meeting Manna
I have officially stepped foot in South America! I arrived at 11:30 pm on Saturday, Jan. 7, but my partner organization had the volunteer pick-up scheduled for 5 pm the following day. Naturally, I wanted to use every minute to…
Nepal: Preparations
It’s the 5th day of the new year and 12 days until I step on the plane to Kathmandu. I’m taking some time to look back on some of the preparations I’ve made for the trip—what I have done so…