Last month, I went to Africa. I went to Africa on a short-term mission trip. I went to Africa on a short-term mission trip, and I made a difference.
First of all, Africa isn't just one enormous place that is all the same. The continent of Africa is divided into more than 50 countries, each of which has its own unique culture and way of life. It cannot be generalized. It is disrespectful to do so. I did not just go to Africa. I went to the Republic of Malawi.
Second of all, I did not go to Malawi to make myself feel better about my life. I did not go so that I could see the world or step foot on another continent. I did not go so that I could come home and change my profile picture to me and some random African children I barely know. I did not go so that I could take pictures of everyone I meet and later exploit them on social media. No, actually none of these are reasons I traveled to Malawi, and I am outraged that some people automatically assume these things. Not every mission trip is voluntourism.
Throughout my brief time in the indescribably heartwarming village of Kwenda, I had the opportunity to develop a relationship with my host sister, Edis. She is 15-years-old, and she aspires to be a nurse some day. During our many conversations, I learned that girls her age who live in villages usually do not finish school, if they attend school at all. They take this time in their mid-teens to find a husband and are typically married by age 18. I was able to share my personal experiences with her and give her a new perspective on education. To this brilliant young lady, I was a living, breathing example of a college educated woman who is 21-years-old and unmarried. She asked me for advice on how to remain focused on her education and how to succeed in achieving her goal. By encouraging this one young lady, by providing education to even one more woman, this world is a better place. She longs to bring pride to her family and to her village. Because of this school, her dream has the potential of becoming reality.
This is why I went to Malawi. I went to Malawi to break ground on a school which my Panhellenic community has been raising money to fund for the past three years. I went to Malawi to celebrate this new school and the possibilities and hope it brings with the members of the village of Kwenda. I went to Malawi to influence young women to obtain an education and to inform them of the importance of an education. I went make a difference in the world.
This does not make me a stupid white girl.
