A New Family

It is said that when an event powerful enough to change lives occurs, those people who are joined in the experience share a bond that will last a life time.
Our time in Boma was shared with twelve other volunteers who are now family.

Patrice, better known as Mama P, is a retired special education teacher who now does private tutoring in California. While in Boma she worked at the Kichijo orphanage and was instrumental in assisting a young Epifania in furthering her education by helping to bring her to boarding school.

Cindi, who we called Mama C, was the only one of us who had previous volunteer experience in Boma. Having worked last year at Good Hope School, she did double duty by working at the hospital in Boma in the mornings and at Good Hope in the afternoon. At home in Florida, Mama C teaches nursing/health care skills to high school students in Florida.

David is a grade 7 math teacher in New York. Taking advantage of this travel opportunity, David joined us following a tour of Tanzania. While in Boma he worked at Good Hope School.

Julie, is a recent university graduate. When she returns home to Windsor, Ontario, she will begin her new career but is looking for opportunities to continue her education. She was scheduled to work at Hannah Elementary School, but because the school was in transition she worked with Paula at the affiliated orphanage.

Amita, from Michigan, will enter her fourth year of studies in Sociology this fall. Her experience at Promiseland Primary School was so rewarding that Amita is hoping to return to Boma.

Brendan, lives with his family in Calgary, but is studying International Relations at the University of Western Ontario. While working at Kichijo Orphange Brendan enjoyed teaching the students and was part of the team of volunteers who brought Epifania to boarding school.

Logan, a student of Cindi's will be studying nursing when she returns to to Florida. Having graduated from the medical specialty program in high school, she is already a certified nursing assistant and phlebotomist. During her time at Kichijo Orphanage she helped to organize Epifania's opportunity to attend boarding school.

Lisa, a student from New York, will begin post secondary studies shortly after her return to the states following a very busy summer. She worked at Good Hope School.

Josh, a student in the Criminal Justice program in Minnesota is hoping for a career in law enforcement. He worked at Promiseland School.

Lacey, also from Minnesota is planning to study nursing this fall with an eye to becoming a Nurse Practioner. While in Boma she worked at Kalaomani School.

Trisha, a volunteer who spent 12 weeks with the program in Boma also taught at Kalaomani School. She took a week off from volunteer work to climb Kilimanjaro. Trisha summited in four days and walked down the mountain in one. She is a true inspiration to us all.

Paula, our special travel companion is a recent graduate of high school along with Katrina. Paula plans to study Social Work at Laurentian University in the fall in hopes of becoming a behavioural therapist. She was also scheduled to work at Hannah School, but worked instead at Teacher Mary's orphanage.

On one of our last days in Boma, Ali told us that she would miss her family...this group of people we once viewed as strangers who we will now and forever hold dear. Thank you to each an everyone for enriching our experiences and our lives.