We all smile in the same language.

I just found out I'll be facilitating a Me to We trip to Kenya from July 21 - August 10!

Free The Children is a non-profit. We run campaigns and events, we tell youth all the ways they can change the world, and we do Adopt A Village in seven countries. Adopt A Village is our sustainable development model where we address all the different reasons why kids may not be able to go to school. We build schools, we provide alternative income (so kids don't have to work), we provide clean water (so girls can go to school and they get clean water), and we provide health care so families can get help they need.

Me to We is the social enterprise, they provide better choices for a better world (and 50% of the profits go to FTC). They have style so that we know children aren't making our clothes, they provide artisan work (beading done by Kenyan women) so that we can sell it and give the profit back to their groups, they do leadership seminars and workshops, and finally... they run trips to four of our seven AAV countries so kids can go actually work on FTC projects.

A few weeks ago I interviewed to lead trips. I didn't tell any of my friends because I was nervous I'd be embarrassed if I didn't get accepted. I put my preferences as Kenya and India, and I just received an email asking me to lead a trip in Kenya this summer... I am SO excited!

I'm excited because...
-I've always wanted to travel to Africa
-Kenya is our most popular country for trips and projects so it will be nice to have the experience
-It will be so incredible to see, and work on, Free The Children projects
-I will get to improve my leadership skills, facilitation skills, and speaking skills
-I just really wanted to travel this summer...

I'm so stoked... I feel like this is such a phenomenal opportunity for me. I can't wait to brush up on my facilitation skills and really dig deep into FTC/M2W projects.

Check back for details to come...

"The love of one’s country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?"
-Pablo Casals

"Murphy's Law: Don't play leapfrog with a unicorn!"

I'm a bit behind in my blogging which simply means there will be a few updates to come. The first? St. Patrick's Day in Toronto!

My roommates and I attend the St. Patty's parade on Yonge Street. While we were there, we had a man filming us saying where we were for his YouTube website (he was a little strange) - RealGuyTV or something like that. The parade lasted an hour and a half and was more interactive than the Southie parade, which surprised me. There were tons of community groups, Irish groups, and legit only one tank to represent the military... The difference in military presence here from the States is crazy, but that's a whole different subject!

There were lots of kids on floats, one of which had my favorite sign - "Murphy's Law: Don't play leapfrog with a unicorn". Also on many floats were live bands playing old Irish songs with step dancers behind them. After the parade we hit up an Irish pub and had some Guinness and my first ever plate of poutine - it was delicious! Overall, it was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed our day!

The following weekend Julie's brother Andrew visited and the three of us went on a Raptors adventure. After Andrew left, Adam came! Our weekend consisted of a Mill Street Brewery tour, drinks at a bar right next to the Air Canada Centre where the Leafs play (Bruins were in town) and the Hockey Hall of Fame! It was really nice to have a friend from home come see my temporary home - my second favorite city, the good ol' TO. He really enjoyed the time here and I was glad he could see what I am doing with my life :)

Keep your eyes peeled for more updates...