I wanted to help teach children living in a disadvantaged or rural area and this program offered exactly what I was looking for.
I got to see and experience the struggle that these children go through just to become partially educated for the opportunity at a better life.
Selene provided me with all the information and support that I needed for the entire project. She also provided transportation to and from the airport, a safe living environment, and freshly prepared meals everyday while I was living with her.
Be prepared for extremely limited resources and supplies. The school is very small with only about 100 kids and 4 teachers for 7 grades.
I would get up early for breakfast every day, and walk to school (about 5-10 minutes from the host house). In the morning I would help assist the teacher or take on a class of my own (teaching English, science, mathematics, PE or art), and play with children at break time.
We would continue with classes after break, and when school ends, I would walk back home, usually with the students. There was then time to relax, read, reflect, and plan my next lesson before the family came home. I would play with the host's children and have dinner in the evening, and relax before going to bed.
Traveling to Africa on my own as a young white female was very daunting, and a lot of people questioned why I was going there and telling me about horror stories they had heard.
I was terrified about getting robbed at gunpoint or attacked while walking down the street but the people that I came into contact with were absolutely lovely. I think if you have an aura of confidence about you then people don't hassle you, and it's obviously important to be smart and safe.
Don't walk around by yourself at night or go out and get drunk and stumble home. I found the people of Africa to be extremely polite and friendly and I loved my entire experience.