Fall River Rotary Speaking Engagement - Thursday April 23, 2009

On Thursday April 23rd at Noon I spoke before the Fall River Rotary Club to talk about my Journey to Ghana. It was pretty cool. Thanks to Joe Costa, Nancy Vanasse and Beth Fay I was able to raise money and most importantly speak about two causes I am passionate about: Working with children and Africa. I have also been writing to the Diocese of Fall River and to local businesses. We are getting there! Here is what I spoke about for Rotary:

MY AFRICAN JOURNEY TO GHANA

ANGELA ALLARD

1. Who Am I?
My name is Angela Allard, I am Junior at BMC Durfee High School. I am on the Swim team and Indoor track team. My career goal is to go into medicine to become a surgeon. This summer I am traveling to Ghana for 4 weeks to do community service work with children in an orphanage. I will be living with a host family as part of an exchange program called AFS.
2. What is America Field Service (AFS)?
AFS began as a group of volunteer ambulance drivers in 1914 during WW I and WWII helping soldiers of both sides. After World War II , AFS evolved into an international student exchange organization. AFS-USA now works towards building a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural learning opportunities through summer, semester and year-long programs. Some programs are designed to help students learn the language, some are for cultural exchange, and some are community service programs. I have chosen to do a community service program.
3. Why did I choose Ghana?
I have always loved the people and culture of Africa and love working with children. This is a cause I am very passionate about. From this experience I hope to make a difference, gain a better knowledge of the world, and who I am as a person. There is great need in Ghana, as many children have been orphaned due to infectious disease. While in Ghana from June 26 to July 27th , I will be teaching children reading, writing, and math skills, as well as doing basic repairs at the orphanages.

4. Why do I have to fundraise to provide community service?
The total cost of the trip will be approximately $8,000 for 4 weeks. AFS Sponsors 13,000 students worldwide. Some are paid by governments. I am receiving a small merit scholarship due to my grades. AFS students for the most part go abroad to learn languages and study. I will be living with a host family for the four weeks I am in Ghana and working/teaching most of the time. The host families are not paid. Most of the expense of the trip is the flights, and the four orientations that are provided. It is expected that students either fund raise for the expense or pay it themselves.

5. Why Do I Want to Serve?
It is my dream to someday go to medical school and become a doctor. I love to learn and broaden my horizons. I enjoy traveling and seeing different parts of the world and meeting new and different people. This will be the first time I have traveled across continents. It is also the first time I have traveled without my parents: a fact that I am both excited and comfortable with. I am very involved in my community. I think it is important to give back to your community and be less selfish. Giving back can only make things better for all.
I would love to get more involved with children. I love children and I think they are
so fun to be around. I think ensuring that our children are taught well and shown love
is extremely important. Eventually they will grow up to be our future leaders.
Children are brought into this world innocent, and view things in the most honest,
truthful, and non-corrupt way. It is our job to make sure that we show children love
and affection. I believe it is our job to help them maintain this innocence
so that when they are older, they contribute positively to the world, and help to
make it a better place.
6. How Can You Help?
If you want to support my trip you can visit my blog at http://angelaallard.blogspot.com/ where you can contribute online. Or you can send a check c/o Angela Allard, 73 Bradbury Street, Fall River, MA 02721. Finally, my family will be hosting an exchange student from Indonesia in the coming year. Host families are needed: please consider it. If you are interested you can visit the AFS website at http://www.usa.afs.org/usa_en/focus_on/hosting.

Thank You.

Angela Allard