So first things first. As you all know, I, Tiven Catrett, have got some crazy itchy size 8 1/2's that I inherited from my father. And I love being barefoot. Socks and shoes are just way too confining. And if you cover them up all the time, how will you feel the itch and know it's time to leave? I obviously won't be barefoot the whole 8 weeks I'm gone, but I can't help love the symbolism. Anyways, these aforementioned itchy feet have been coming into their own the past couple of years and absolutely refuse to be ignored. The day after getting back from my Ireland adventure with my lovely friends, I decided it was time to start planning the next one. Soon though, a problem presented itself. I wanted to travel but I also had a strong conviction that at 22 years old, I needed to be doing something a little more worthwhile than galavanting around the world on a whim. Don't get me wrong, I plan on doing a lot of that in the future, but first I wanted to make a difference somehow. It didn't take long until it hit me that I can do both. I can travel, scratch those itchy monsters, and help people!
I did my research and found a non-profit organization called Cross-Cultural Solutions. I contacted them, asked my questions, and when it felt right, I signed up for 8 weeks. Then came the first hurdle...funding. Yes, I had a steady job but saving $4,644 for the program fee plus another $1300-$1500 for the plane ticket in a 5 month period was going to be hard with a capital H-A-R-D! I sucked it up, prayed, and sent out my fundraising letters. Then, 2 months later I lose my job. (Thanks economy!) It was a Tuesday. All I can say is God loves me because I didn't even have time to start freaking out. That Thursday night my mom got a phone call from a friend asking if I knew anyone who needed a job! I jumped at it and started my better paying job the next morning! I was also able to get a second part time job to help out even more. Throughout all of this, donation after donation came in. It was a slow and steady stream of love and support in the form of checks and prayers. Every time I saw another envelope in the mail, I couldn't help but feel so extremely lucky to have people in my life who are willing to help me when money is tight for everyone. I was able to raise over $4,400! Needless to say it is a very humbling way to start off this awesome adventure I will be embarking on in the next few days. So thank you to everyone who donated their hard earned money to my cause. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you all.
While I'm in Cape Town my assignment is to work in a children's shelter called the Nomzamo Place of Safety.
"The mission of Nomzamo is to transform and integrate the facility into the broader community by rendering an effective and efficient service for children under the age of 6 years that takes into consideration their special needs, ensures their safety and well-being, and reunites them with their families. Nomzamo aims to provide a place of safety for children who have been traumatized, provide care to children orphaned, abandoned, neglected, infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, and provide nursing care, spiritual and emotional support and education for orphaned and abused children."
It will be tough I'm sure. I know I'll experience challenges I can't even imagine so honestly I'm not trying to right now. I figure if I just go with no expectations except to help as much as I can, I'll be golden. All I know is, I can't wait. The past 5 months have flown by but the next few days can't come soon enough! I would apologize for this being so long, but I already did that at the beginning so I'm not going to!
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