My Nonprofit Reviews

As a student in my college's African Studies program I had been hoping to travel to Africa for some time. I had been presented with a variety of opportunities to make spending time in East Africa a reality and I found that One Heart Source stood out amongst other study abroad and volunteer opportunities. The combination of living in a homestay and teaching in a local school in Zanzibar made my time volunteering with One Heart Source beyond meaningful. The joy I felt after classes where my students were able to confidently respond in recently taught English phrases or subtract with borrowing correctly was immense. The close relationships I developed with my Zanzibari teaching partner, my mentorship students and my fellow volunteers are relationships I will cherish for the rest of my life. My time spent in Zanzibar with One Heart Source presented an honest depiction of the warmth of Swahili culture and the progress that can be made when you're willing to step outside of your comfort zone. It was exciting to see the progress my mentorship students made in being able to read over the course of the month. I learned a great deal being immersed in a culture different from my own and I was struck by the elements of humanity that do not change even when you are thousands of miles from home. The kindness, warmth and joy the community we lived in expressed without the material wealth many of us have in the US was incredible. The children of Pongwe find joy in simple things such as singing, dancing or playing on the beach. They were truly inspiring and I miss them greatly. They motivate me each day to work towards a career that will enable me to improve the healthcare of underserved populations both in the US and abroad.

More Feedback