My dream

I'm not sure when my desire to go to help really originated, but I can confidently tell you now that it is stronger than ever. I consider myself a selfless person who was put on this world to make a difference. Whether it's been hugging a friend in need, or donating time and money to a worthy cause...I've always wanted my life to have a meaning.

And now, I am making a dream come true.

I am going to South Africa.

When I originally starting researching how to make my dream of helping come true, many ideas ran through my head. I first highly considered become a member of the Peace Corps, but when I realized I would be gone for over two years, I reconsidered options that would give me more freedom to be closer to my family if, heaven forbid, an emergency came up.

Then I stumbled across CARE, a program that strikes itself upon defending dignity and fighting poverty: two issues that have truly gained my interest. When I realized they were the leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty, I knew I had to find a way to become involved. I began researching their programs and then found the volunteer program they work closely work, Cross-Cultural Solutions. It is here that I found my first step towards my dream.

CCS's volunteer program will allow me to truly make a difference in this world. I have chosen to go to South Africa in August 2008 for a three week program in which CCS staff will place me through a careful evaluation of my personal skills and interests and matches it with the needs of the community in which I'll be volunteering.

I will get the chance to walk hand in hand with children who just need simple acts of kindness and food in their lives. I will get to work with men, women and children on the educational awareness of HIV/AIDS. I will get to help young women gain empowerment to be the success they were meant to be. I want to help more than anything in this world.

This will be a dream come true for me..

But before my dream came become a reality, I need YOUR help. This is why I created this online blog, for me to become more connected with my community and to obtain the financial assistance I need to make my dream of volunteering abroad come true.

With your help, I can make a difference. Please stay tuned as I update this blog with more information about my trip, how you can donate, and a countdown to my departure. For information how to contribute or to learn more about CCS, please read my previous blogs or contact me if you have any questions: sunnyhutchinson@gmail.com

In closing, here are a few quotes that have inspired me greatly.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
“The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems”
“You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result”
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
-All by Gandhi