From Tanzania to Canada: Anna's afterword

Sitting here comfortably in my home in Cape Breton, Tanzania truly feels like a world away. Even after witnessing so many issues firsthand and meeting the people who were facing them, the memories can still seem almost surreal.

When I'm walking down the aisles of a grocery store, it's hard to remember the family I met who didn't have enough food. When I'm dreading the beginning of the school year, it's hard to remember the child who desperately wanted the opportunity to have an education. When I wake up warm in my bed, in a safe home with everything I need at my disposal, it's hard to remember that some of the people I met in Tanzania are still facing unimaginable challenges every single day.

My visit to Tanzania was without a doubt the most challenging experience in my life so far and I learned many valuable lessons. One of which was the power of people working together. I was extremely fortunate to be surrounded by an incredible team of strong, supportive, compassionate people. Through the many challenges we faced individually and as a group, we always had someone to lean on.

Although the YA's are spread across Canada, the support system and bonds we created in Tanzania remain. We all are aware that in order to accomplish as much as possible as Youth Ambassadors, we will have to work together and rely on each other once again. We are a small team with a goal to share our experiences and passion with as many people as possible in order to create a much larger team. A new network of young Canadian's who are aware of the issues and ready to do whatever they can to fight them.

I believe strongly in the power of youth. I've witnessed the creativity, passion and determination of Canadian, Tanzanian, and Rwandan young people who share a vision for a better world and a burning desire to make that
vision a reality. World Vision programs such as Leadership Retreats, Youth Empowered, and the 30 Hour Famine give youth an outlet for their passion and energy. When presented with these opportunities youth can, and have made a huge difference.

I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel to Tanzania and witness the positive impact that World Vision programs have had on people and communities. I've met people whose lives have been changed by something as simple as a goat. I've visited communities that now have access to clean water. I've seen children who have been given the opportunity to reach their true potential through child sponsorship. The work World Vision is doing is truly incredible which is why I'm extremely excited and honoured to have the opportunity to work as a Youth Ambassador and share my experiences with as many people as possible.

My experience in Tanzania was filled with many ups and downs, physically, emotionally and spiritually. There are still days when I feel extremely overwhelmed and frustrated with the situation. When the issues seem far too big to ever solve, it's at times like these when I rely on my memories of Tanzania for strength and inspiration. I think about the people who are so passionate and optimistic in spite of the circumstances they're under and I remember the enormous impact that World Vision has had on so many lives.

I believe that anyone who has the desire to make a difference can make a difference. Whether it's a young girl in Tanzania joining a youth club or an elderly Canadian man sponsoring a child; we all have the ability and the responsibility to do what we can to help.

As Mother Teresa once said "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."

When facing a global issue such as poverty, we need to remember that each small gesture adds up to something much greater, and when we all do our part we really can change the world.