It's hard to believe that there's only about a month until I depart for Ghana! AFS has sent me my information on my host family I'll be staying with in the capital city of Accra on the coast. In addition, I have received word of where I will be volunteering during my stay, the Country-Side Children's Welfare Home (http://www.countrysideorphanage.org/english/whoweare/index.htm).

I would like to personally thank everyone who has supported me monetarily or in morale, you have all been instrumental in helping me achieve my lofty goal. Between my friend Daniel arranging a pledged Walk-a-thon to my grandmother organizing a day-long auction in support of my endeavor, the effort and creativity that has accompanied your collective generosity is astounding!

Ill do my best to keep everyone updated, and upon my return I'll be sure to post as many pictures as possible (and then probably a few more). Thank You!

On My Way!

It's been just a few days so far of donations and already almost $200! My medical testing is finally done (thankfully!) as is my required in-home interview. Speaking of the interview, I was told that my local AFS chapter may be willing to cover some of the expense (apparently no one from my district has opted for Africa since the 60's), so I'm crossing my fingers that that'll come to fruition.

Thank you to everyone for donating....It's really touching that others seem to believe this trip to be as worthwhile as I do! I truly appreciate it- again, thank you. Best of luck in the new year.

Welcome!

Hi!

If you don't know me already, my name is Zachary Gilfus and I'm currently a Junior at Thousand Islands High School in Clayton, New York. There, I play on the Varsity hockey team and participate in a number of extracurricular activities (many involving music). My career aspirations fall under the category of engineering and architecture, though who's to say what the future will hold. This summer I will be traveling to Ghana to undertake 4 weeks of community service work with children in an orphanage. I will be staying with a host family as part of the AFS (American Field Service) exchange program.

As is often the case with world travel, the cost is relatively high for a single family to manage ($7,500). There are a number of ways to acquire the required sum, and as of the date I've taken advantage of a few, earning an AFS Merit Scholarship ($750) and working an end-of-summer to spring job which, with the help of my parents, will cover the necessary down payment ($900). Which brings me to a goal of $5,850, a sum for which any and all donations will be a great and appreciated help. Aside from these sources, I will also be presenting to local that support such efforts.

What do I hope to accomplish thorugh my community service in a West African orphanage? To start with the obvious, Ghana is a beautiful place, but it is also a place that has left many children orphaned through infectious disease. I can't begin to imagine how much help is needed in these dire situations. Through this trip I will not only be able to help children directly, but will also gain much more crucial understanding of cultures very different from yours or mine and do everything I can to propogate intercultural understanding during and following my experience. A recent trip to Scandinavia (among other things) has led me to realize that in a world that's growing closer and smaller by the day, understanding and acceptance must be held above all. I strongly believe that this experience will give me greater perspective that can be carried back to my communtiy and beyond...Send Me To Africa!

To help sponsor my AFS program, click the ChipIn button below.

Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated!