Jamie's Adventure to Malawi

It has been a while...

2010-02-10T12:32:00.002-06:00

As most of you know it is not my strong point to keep you updated in a timely manner. The Winter session of World Camp has come and gone and I have yet to update you about anything. Lets just say I fell off the blog wagon and haven't really been up to doing much of anything. It wasn't until a few things happened in my life and I realized that my heart was no longer where it should have been...with me.

Now, that I am getting back up and standing on my own two feet I can return to a place where I can do the things that I want to do and be happy with all of the people in my life.

A few updates about me...I feel so narcissistic writing that, but I do it from a place to let you know where I am and where Africa falls into my life. Here we go...since around September of last year I started eating as a Vegan. It took me a couple weeks to fully get there and do a lot of research. My family doctor actually suggested that I go on a full vegan diet for one month and then alternate from one week as vegan and one week eating normally. I decided that if I was going to do one month I might as well make the life change to eat vegan forever. It has been a pretty easy road for me. My toughest challenges are going out to dinner with family or family functions. They either don't understand or forget. Those mashed potatoes are great, Grandma, but they also have milk, butter, chicken broth in them. LOL. So, I've come to realize that I can't have my way every single time we get together to eat. So, I'll eat the cheese or the product with milk in it. The biggest reason I made the life change to Vegan was for the planet and my health. I have other small challenges when it comes to shopping in the Pork and Chicken capitals, but my chain grocery store is expanding more and more everyday. I am constantly amazed and thankful for my Healthy Market section. Meat substitutes, butter options, soy milk in every flavor, and they even have a couple vegan cheese options now.

I reported a few months ago that I wasn't able to go to Africa in December because of problems with my knees. I have gone to my knee doctor (a specialist 3 hours away from my house and works for one of the Iowa University football teams...that's how impressed I was with his credentials...I can't even remember the football team's name...oh well, not that important...he was really thorough and got me some answers). Holy run on sentences with lots of dot dot dots. I ended up not having to have another surgery and was told that I would live with the pain off and on for the rest of my life. He didn't want to do surgery because he said my knees are completely healthy and a surgery would only make it worse at my young age (yes 33 is young). I felt like an organic spring chicken when I left his office (nice play on my vegan words, huh). I guess I could have said...went to knee doc, got the all clear. Huge relief either way I tell you.

Yep...still gonna talk about me some more...get some coffee...

Some of you may or may not know this next part...I fell in love. With the absolute most incredible man I have ever met. For the first time in my life I feel complete. I know that I used to boast as a "single and loving it" kind of man, but my heart did long for that closeness to someone. I patiently stood by until he practically fell from the stars and made me a believer again that there is a love for everyone out there. After months of talking and waiting we finally met over New Year's. Now, you're probably asking yourself "finally met?"...how does that work? Through my Twitter fundraising campaign...that is how we met. I won't go through all of the mushy details, but he is a huge part of my life and we have plans (or we know) that we want and will spend the rest of our lives together. That will include a big move for me...from Iowa to Oregon. Those plans are still in the works, but it is going to happen in the near future.

Now, you are all probably wondering...what does all of this have to do with Africa...well, the above mentioned and some other things (that I won't tell...I'm not Jenny Sanford and writing a tell all novel...just a short commentary of the last few months of my life) that have happened and are out of my control (hard for being a planned out control freak) will keep me from fulfilling my dream of going to Africa. But that is the lesson I've learned from a lot of this...Africa is my dream and nobody can take that away from me. I have to get through some tough times, a cross country move, get settled in my own head, and then return the focus to my dream. The entire process of learning that I am NOT upsetting people because I'm not going to Africa when I said I was has taken its toll on me. I thought that I had to get there when I said was because people paid their hard earned money for me to go. I know that some people are upset and I can't change that, but for the most part everyone that has donated and contributed still support me 100%. I do still have plans to go, I keep in touch with World Camp, and I can't make any guarantees that it will be in May when I get to go...but its my dream...and your donations are still there with World Camp being held for my trip.

That last paragraph was hard for me to write. But that is the way life goes sometimes...not the way you wanted it to. As long as we all keep our heads up, learn from our lessons...life will eventually go the way you want it to.

OK...my little updating fingers are all typed out. I want to thank all of you that continue to support me each and every day. That will always mean the world to me. You all are a true inspiration to me.

Check out the latest from World Camp Malawi

2010-02-10T12:18:00.000-06:00

They have some pretty great updates from their last session. Make sure to check out the Malawi volunteers.

http://worldcampmalawi.blogspot.com/

Tune-up in progress...

2010-01-09T23:09:00.002-06:00

I logged on the other night to do a much needed overhaul and update on the blog...but my blog had been hijacked. I have retrieved my information and will get everybody up to date as soon as possible. Thank you for checking in and looking forward to getting back on the World Camp Fundraising bandwagon again!

Happy New Year!!!

Coffee run...

2009-11-13T15:10:00.004-06:00

Today I ran to the grocery store to get my daily brew with soy milk and a touch of caramel drizzle. Mmm! Oh and the extra shot of espresso...or what the coffee shop likes to call it: Moosed! (Caribou Coffee has replaced my everyday run to Starbucks, by the way).

Getting to my point...I know just about all of the girls that work there (there's only 8 of them) and they are all pretty nice and know what I want...even though they ask EVERY SINGLE TIME IF I WANT WHIPPED CREAM..."no, thank you" is my general reply. I've come to the conclusion that their barista brains just can't handle someone enjoying coffee for coffee minus all the extras.

I digress...so they have this little chalk board that sits behind them and it usually has a 10 cents off trivia question. I'll admit that I'm Googling the answer to the question while Farmer Jane gets her High Fructose Extra Chocolate Shavings Whipped Cream Latte with a splash of coffee. So, by the time I get to place my order I look like a wealth of useless knowledge. More so than usual. BUT...today's trivia question was Stump The Barista Bitch...in other words...come up with a question to ask the cashier and if they get it right you get 10 cents off. Oh lucky day! I promise I was nice...sort of. I wanted to ask some poignant question that would knock their socks off but I hadn't gotten my coffee yet so my barista brain couldn't come up with something quick. So, I got them with their own products. They sell this brand of water, candy, etc. by Project 7. They call them "accessory products". It's a really good deal because Project 7 gives back 50% of their profits to various non-profits that YOU vote on. From saving the earth to feeding the homeless. I asked the girl how much Project 7 gave back of their profits to the non-profits and she said 10%. It was a good guess but was a little surprised that she didn't know the products she pushes. I did feel good leaving her with that thought and how she might do her own part in making the world a better place for all.

I have no real intention behind this post besides you checking out Project 7 and all the good they do.

UPDATE: New May Program Dates...

2009-10-21T21:49:00.003-05:00

I received my new travel dates for the May 2010 Malawi program today. I will be in Malawi from May 20th through June 25th. Getting that information today totally helped me put my focus back where it needs to be and remain strong. I wouldn't be telling the truth if I said that I wasn't upset that I won't be spending the New Year holiday in another country, but all things do happen for a good reason. I am convinced that this was supposed to happen this way and for very good reason.

Again, I appreciate all of the love, concern, hopes, and support that you have showed me over the past two days. I am forever grateful.

I am also going to do my best to keep you updated on a more regular basis. Life has certainly been challenging over the past few weeks, but there has been great reward and success achieved as well.

Once I know more on my travel dates or anything new that comes up I will do my best to keep you informed.

Long awaited update...

2009-10-20T17:01:00.002-05:00

I want to start off this update with an apology to everyone who has donated, supported, followed, joined, and guided me along my journey. I have wanted to extend my sincerest apologies for a few weeks now, but have been waiting to get all of my information straightened out before releasing any word. You ALL have been a great inspiration along the way. The gratitude I have for everyone is so difficult to put into words besides a heartfelt thank you.

Some of you may know by now that I have had to reschedule my Africa trip to May. It has been a very difficult decision for me to make, but I have had the greatest support while making my decision. I was able to speak with World Camp last week (a call that I was dreading to make, but as usual I made it out to be more than it really was) and get my program switched over to May. I was speaking with the Director and told her that I was concerned about feeling like I was letting people down and she put it so simply..."all of that will carry over". I was completely relieved when she said that and it helped me feel good about my decision.

So, to make this as clear as possible (because I have a way of making the simplest thing very complicated when I write)...I am still going to Malawi, all of the money I have raised so far will go towards the May program, all of the work I have put into going will go towards the May program, the only thing that changes is the actual date of the program. I am still waiting on word from World Camp on the exact arrival dates and departure dates, but I do know the program starts on May 19th.

I know that everyone will understand my decision, but there is that part of me that still feels like I may be letting some people down. I can only hope that if you have any questions you will contact me so that I can have a chance to explain my decision. Your love and support has moved me in so many ways and I will be forever grateful for that. I see my decision to move to the May program as an extension of my journey and hope to make many more great memories in the extra time I have until the May program.

If you have any questions/concerns/comments please let me know and I will be more than happy to talk to you.

All of you are a true inspiration to me...

Sincerely,
Jamie

World Camp Malawi: What would an AIDS vaccine mean to the world?

2009-09-28T03:45:00.003-05:00

Wow...how do you live your life without wanting to help?

I couldn't post the picture because it was the same pictures from the documentary that started all of this...started = made me want to do better in the world...started = reminded me of what I take for granted EVERY DAY...LIFE!

BUT...here is the pic!

Finally...

2009-09-10T10:29:00.004-05:00

(yes...that's in my fridge...gotta keep cold)

So, my 2nd time running across town to the county health department was a success. I got my Live Oral Typhoid Vaccine and my malaria medicine (doxy-something). And yes I posted pictures of them. I'm kinda proud of them. To me they are like little trophies I'm getting along the way of my great adventure. All I have left on the medical end of things is to get my polio booster and I can finally check off the entire medical-to-do-list. The nurse yesterday told me to check again with my family doctor on the polio booster and he should have it...I keep getting bounced around but it's worth it. If he doesn't have the booster then she can do it...but I'm going to check with him like a good patient (and it saves me money if I can get it from my doctor).

Phew...holy run on sentences, JT! Gotta run for now. Hope everyone is having a great week!

Updates soon...

2009-09-09T22:33:00.004-05:00

Updates coming soon about my immunization appoinment and my lovely trip to the Polk County Public Health Department. Oh and Target's weird prescription bottles. Hope all of this text message posts as one blog post!

Immunizations...

2009-09-09T07:55:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited to get my typhoid vaccine, malaria prescription today...why?....it puts me 1 to-do-list-item-checked-off closer to Africa

New friend, connection, and volunteer...

2009-09-05T14:34:00.004-05:00

Last night I was writing more fundraising letters to my local businesses and started to think about how great my adventure is going to be. So, I went to the World Camp Malawi blog and started to read some old and new updates. I ran across a link to a past volunteer's blog and started to read about her recent adventure to Malawi as a volunteer with World Camp. I left her a comment thanking her for her videos that she posted from her volunteer trip. She was quick to comment back on my blog and shared her email address with me. With my wild imagination and non-stop mind I watched her videos and she was able to finally give me some insight to a day-in-the-life of a volunteer. They were candid and just what I needed. I would encourage you to stop by her blog and check out her recent trip and stories about World Camp Malawi. She has also provided me with some GREAT advice on traveling overseas, what to expect at the volunteer house, and a general calming feeling to me about my fears.

Thanks again Emily for sharing your adventure with us!

Check out her blog: A Worldwide Education.

Gratitude...

2009-09-05T14:30:00.000-05:00

grat⋅i⋅tude - noun - the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful: He expressed his gratitude to everyone that helped him on his journey.

I made my gratitude list on the side of this blog as a way to express my thanks to the many people that have taken the time to wish me well, make a donation, or help me spread the word about my fundraising efforts. Please check back often as the list grows. The list is growing slowly at the moment because I am trying to put links in to the person's website, Facebook page, etc, but I want to get their permission before doing so. Thank you for stopping by. I hope everyone has a great week!

Testing out my new...

2009-09-05T14:16:00.001-05:00

Testing out my new dial2do.com functionality for Blogger.
Powered by . Mp3

Guess what I got for my early birthday present...

2009-09-04T15:45:00.003-05:00

Typhoid and Polio! OK...not really. But I did get my influenza shot today. I was supposed to be getting my typhoid vaccine and polio booster today, but there was a mix up at the county health department and I was only able to get my flu shot today.

I was hoping to check off a huge part of my to-do-list today...the medical stuff! As with all things...patience comes to those who wait. So, with high hopes I will be able to get all of my medical to-do-list checked off by this time next week.

I did find out that there is a 4-pill vaccine for typhoid while I was there...so the day wasn't a total waste. I'll be doing that over a 1 week period and get the polio booster while I'm getting the pills next week. The nurse also informed that I don't have to go through my Doctor to get my malaria prescription. One more thing I get to check off! The malaria medicine comes in several different options of pills. I'm going to be taking doxycycline (if I remember correctly). I'll start taking that 2 days before I leave, 1 pill a day while I'm there, and I think she said for 1 month after I return. There were so many different variations, but that one ended up being the least expensive option. And I can go to a pharmacy that has a $4 plan (NOT WALMART).

Since I already had my Hepatitis A and B vaccines I was able to get that added to immunization record today. I was a good boy a year or so ago and went ahead and did that for my personal health. Not many people know that they may be categorized in a high-risk group and can get that for FREE! Just a note to some people that are health-minded. Check out your county health department for more details!

Hope everyone has a safe and healthy Labor Day weekend coming up!

Stay tuned for more details next week!

World Camp Malawi: In Pictures: Malawi Child Workers

2009-09-04T08:41:00.000-05:00

World Camp Malawi: In Pictures: Malawi Child Workers#links

Check out this article from World Camp Malawi's blog...the pictures say it all!

And the winner is...

2009-08-28T14:31:00.003-05:00

(ugh...I really wish Blogger would let me choose my frame)

Thank you to everyone that bought a ticket and made a donation! You are all winners in my book!

@BlakeBennetts is the WINNER!!!

If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch with me.

Drawing for the raffle to be held tomorrow...

2009-08-27T11:26:00.002-05:00

And I'm pretty sure you guys are going to like the drawing...I'm gonna record it on the webcam with some commentary slash narration! So, if you haven't listened to my interview with RambleRedhead you'll finally be able to put a voice and a face to all my rants/posts/tweets/texts/status updates/emails/etc.

Good luck to everyone that bought a ticket...see you tomorrow!

Today is your last chance...

2009-08-26T02:05:00.002-05:00

TODAY IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET IN ON THE RAFFLE...I'LL DRAW THE WINNER ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 28TH. STAY TUNED...BUY A TICKET...AND GOOD LUCK ON THE DRAWING!!!!

Get your raffle tickets and support a great cause!!!

2009-08-12T00:25:00.013-05:00

Welcome to the first raffle of Jamie's Adventure to Malawi. I have great friends that have donated their time and crafty goodness to raffle off and put the donations toward my trip to Malawi with World Camp.

Here is how it works: For every donation of $5.00 you get one entry into the raffle ($10 = 2 entries, etc.). It's that easy! MORE good news! Your donation is TAX DEDUCTIBLE! You are making the donation directly to World Camp, Inc. on my behalf (Please include my name in the "Donation in name of (volunteer):" field under Other Information at the bottom of the online donation form ~ Jamie Taylor). No money passes through my hands; it goes directly to my fundraising campaign. I'll know that you have donated via donation update emails that come to me from World Camp, Inc. Your name will be attached since you are making online donations, but that is the only information that I receive...just your name and the amount. So, you'll need to leave a comment here, email me at Raffle4Malawi@gmail.com, or send me a DM from Twitter including your Name and Twitter user name. I will not use your information for any purpose other than to inform you if you have won the raffle. Please feel free to email me with any questions you might have.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!! (use the "GET YOUR TICKETS NOW" link to take you to World Camp's website and use their secure online donation form...there are detailed instructions on how to make donations in the sidebar of this blog or on World Camp's website. YOU MUST INCLUDE MY NAME, JAMIE TAYLOR, TO GET PROPER CREDIT FOR THE RAFFLE)

Here is a description of the prizes:

Part 1 of the Prize:
One hand-tied double fleece blanket donated by @SunnyBuns. You'll have your choice of the 4 fleece prints below. The blankets are VERY warm due to the double layer of fleece, yet light and soft because of the nature of the fabric. The blanket would make a nice back-to-school gift or a nice cuddle blanket for the upcoming fall months. The dimensions are 60" by 72" with a coordinating solid color fleece back. These blankets are a must have and will be shipped directly to you after the winning raffle ticket has been drawn. The 2nd picture shows a finished blanket.

(Your choice of the fabrics)

(this is an example of a finished blanket)

Part 2 of the Prize:
Another great friend has donated her services of a CUSTOM TWITTER BACKGROUND. You can check out MariZcreationZ on her blog. She has many custom backgrounds on Twitter already, but for the privacy of her customers I am unable to link them to this post. But please feel free to check out her creationZ on her blog.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!! (use the "GET YOUR TICKETS NOW" link to take you to World Camp's website and use their secure online donation form...there are detailed instructions on how to make donations in the sidebar of this blog or on World Camp's website. YOU MUST INCLUDE MY NAME, JAMIE TAYLOR, TO GET PROPER CREDIT FOR THE RAFFLE)

**Raffle will end on August 26, 2009. Drawing will be held August 28, 2009**

My first podcast interview by RambleRedhead.com

2009-08-11T21:38:00.001-05:00

Another great story about Twitter and my journey to Africa. I had received a Direct Message (a private message between me and the sender via Twitter platform) from a fellow Tweeter asking me if he could interview me about my trip to Africa. I did not hesitate to reply quickly with a response of absolutely or something close to that. We had exchanged emails and contact information and set a date and all I had to do was be there at the time arranged and answer some questions. So I thought! I started thinking, "hmm...I have never been interviewed for anything in my life, I've never listened to any of this guy's podcasts, and I feel totally unprepared now!". I wanted to email him back and call it all off, but quickly came to my senses and started to download a couple of his podcasts to my phone. I wanted to get a feel for his guests, maybe get an idea of his interviewing style, or just become familiar with a podcast in general. So, I got a couple downloaded and waited for his call to come a couple days later. I was nervous at first but overall I thought the interview went well. So far, I have had great reaction to the podcast and some friends that aren't even on Twitter have told me that have listened. So, I wanted to share with the rest of you the link, the interview, and the man called Ramble Redhead. He is absolutely fun to talk to, genuine, caring, and hilarious!

Hope you guys get to listen and had a great weekend!

RambleRedhead.com (just in case the link does not work in the post)

Raffle and great prizes...

2009-08-11T00:15:00.007-05:00

I cannot wait any longer and wanted to tell everyone about my very first raffle contest coming up soon. We are in the final stages of getting the prizes finalized and some minor details worked out. The prizes are awesome and all donations are tax deductible!

Donations will be made through World Camp's website and no money will pass through my hands. So everything is legitimate. I'll get daily updates from World Camp so I can keep track of the people donating and make sure they each get the appropriate amount of entries for the drawing.

I'll have more information about the actual contest up tomorrow hopefully. I'll also post contact information that you'll be able to reach me at for any detailed questions. Sometimes the 140 character limit of Twitter just isn't enough.

Stay tuned!

World Camp January 2009 Movie

2009-08-10T09:55:00.000-05:00

Please take the 8 minutes and share with me this wonderful experience of the volunteers from January 2009. You'll not only see the effect that World Camp has on the children of Malawi, but you'll also get a better idea of the journey I am getting closer and closer to.

AntiHIVirus Interactive Video...

2009-08-10T03:28:00.002-05:00

Looking ahead to January 2010...

2009-08-10T01:34:00.000-05:00

Yes...I stole the title of this post from World Camp Malawi's latest post, but I had to because it makes me so freaking excited to think about it. My time is next. I am getting ready to set out on the biggest journey of my lifetime. This will be a life changing event for me and I have never been so ready for a change like this.

My biggest goal is to bring back the skills I learn by talking to youth and adults about HIV prevention and awareness and apply that to my volunteer opportunities here in my community. One of the changes that World Camp is making in the January 2010 session is:

"3) Reworking the City Kid Project - One of World Camp's most unique projects is the City Kid Project where we work with at-risk orphaned or vulnerable children (OVCs) living on the streets in Lilongwe. These kids come to the streets for different reasons but once there they are exposed to a harsh life that can lead to risky behavior, higher HIV/AIDS rates, and multiple other issues. Our work in the past has been rewarding for both the volunteers and the children, but we're hoping to make the program even better in January 2010. We're going to devote Saturdays throughout the January session to working with these children. The hope is to educate them about HIV/AIDS and encourage them to get off the streets and back to their families. We hope that a full month of working with these kids will allow us to better understand their situation and lend a helping hand where we can."

This is probably the one activity that I am looking forward to the most having worked with homeless youth before. I say that now but when I wake up in the morning I'll change my mind and have another favorite thing I'm looking forward to. I think all of this favorite changing is a good thing because it means that I am really looking forward to the entire trip...beginning to end.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Peace and Love,

JT
(PS. Don't forget to check out the latest from World Camp Malawi's blog)

So many great things...

2009-08-06T21:34:00.003-05:00

First, I wanted to share with you my guest blog post on my good friend's blog. He is an excellent man that let me share my journey with his readers. Check him out at An Alternative Path. His words are gentle and thought provoking. Great reads!

Second, I have to tell everyone about the random act of kindness that was paid to me today. I just happened to jump on Twitter today (during one of the times it was working) and saw that another friend had mentioned my cause and World Camp in a podcast that he was co-hosting. The link to the podcast is here. I'd like to give credit to the person but also want to get his permission first and Twitter is the only way I know how to get in touch with him. So, check back on the Gratitude List for his link in a day or so. Otherwise, you can listen to the podcast to find out who he is.

Session II comes to an end...

2009-08-05T05:27:00.003-05:00

The two summer sessions have officially come to a close for the Malawi volunteers. Be sure to check out their last update!

I was speaking with the managing director the other day and she had mentioned that the next group of volunteers to go would be MY GROUP. How exciting! If I had to say how ready I am I would probably say in that 1/4 range. I think that's pretty good progress.

With volunteer updates coming to an end I am going to start updating on different facts, statistics, and any Malawi and Africa news that I come across between now and when I leave.

I'm also following a few people that are going to different areas of Africa and I hope to have updates of them too!

Stay tuned...I look forward to some great updates up until it is time to start updating you about me in Malawi.

peace and love ~ JT ~

Project Peanut Butter...

2009-08-03T01:37:00.002-05:00

A good friend of mine shared this link with me and I wanted to pass it along. I remember years ago watching a 20/20 - Dateline kind of special about it and I am happy to pass along that this organization is still thriving. With so many problems that Africa has it is encouraging that this great continent will someday be a continent of wonders and not troubles.

Click here to read more about Project Peanut Butter

peace and love ~ JT

Final camp...

2009-07-29T15:43:00.003-05:00

The summer volunteers are coming to an end, but I'm sure with the sadness of the end comes so many happy memories they will cherish forever...

"At the lake, we will be able to spend the next couple days reflecting on the things we have done, the people we have met, and the experiences we have shared."

I try my hardest to do this everyday...reflect on the things I have done, I think about the people I may have met during the day, and I try to share my experiences with everyone. Some people don't know the lasting impressions they have left on me and just how thankful I am for that. The impact the volunteers made on the lives of others will far exceed the impact on their own lives. They have done a great job in the world.

I'm inspired!

My frist going away gift...

2009-07-25T11:42:00.005-05:00

My friend Katherine (check out her Facebook link in the Gratitude List) has been a lifesaver as far as helping me out with things to think of for my upcoming trip to Africa. I have been telling her that I'm afraid of the water and everything that goes with foreign water, but not so much the water itself as I am not being able to have the fresh water to make a morning cup of joe before we head out on our long 2 to 3 day adventures. So, what did the UPS man bring me yesterday via Katherine...water purification tablets. I would have never thought of that on my own. Kathy (couldn't help it) you are the best travel pre-thinker ever!

UPDATE: After some discussion with my friend, Kathy, we finally discovered that it wasn't just water purification tablets that I was expecting, but there was sooo much more...

More summer volunteer updates...

2009-07-24T11:25:00.002-05:00

The latest from the World Camp 2nd Session summer volunteers...

This is an excerpt from the above link that brings so many questions to my mind...

"As sex is often a difficult subject for teenagers to discuss, World Camp has incorporated anonymous questions into our empowerment curriculum. Students write down questions and WC teachers answer all questions openly and honestly. With limited access to resources and lack of channels for communication about sex in their communities, anonymous questions offer the students a chance to have their questions about sex answered. Malawian teenagers are no different than youth from all around the world and anonymous questions allow for WC teachers to clear-up common teenage misconceptions about sex and their bodies."

What gets me is that not once is there a mention about a parent that does not want to have their child involved in such frank discussion because of religious or moral beliefs. Why don't we have this in our country? I do believe that the value of this trip will far exceed my expectations. I have high hopes that I'm able to bring back the knowledge to have empowerment amongst our young people and give them the tools necessary to be "OK" with the bodies and the changes they are going through. I'll end my soapbox rant here because I could go on forever.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Learning the language...

2009-07-20T01:32:00.002-05:00

I was reading through some of my volunteer information and saw that it is always wise to brush up on some common phrases of the native language in order to be able to assist and teach easier. I decided to take that a step further and recently purchased Talk Now! Learn Chichewa. I attempted to use some suggested websites to learn some common phrases on my own, and quickly realized that I needed a voice to hear along with the teaching. I'm hoping this program I purchased will be good enough to get me through my 5 weeks in Malawi.

Have a great week...

2009-07-20T01:29:00.002-05:00

Thank you for stopping by. I hope everyone has a great week! Please feel free to leave me a comment if you have any suggestions to improve the site and help get the word out there. I look forward to any suggestions you might have.

Again, have a great week and take care of yourself. And don't forget to smile at someone because you never know if that was just the thing they needed to make their day.

with love,
JT

Summer volunteers and safari...

2009-07-16T12:04:00.004-05:00

The summer volunteers are on break for a few days. Here is a post of their most recent outing to Zambia. Yes, I'll be doing the same thing in a few short months. But probably on a little different scale since it'll be the rainy season. Working 6 days a week...a short break with a safari included is much needed. Looking forward to more updates!

Hiking Mount Nkhoma...

2009-07-09T12:29:00.005-05:00

I certainly hope there is at least one day of down time and we'll get to hike Mount Nkhoma too...I won't get my hopes up though because the work we'll be doing is just as great as any hike.

Check out the summer volunteers and see what they are up to during the second session.

The picture is linked to the site I stole it from...they have some amazing pictures of Malawi...not sure who they are though.

I thought this was worth sharing...

2009-07-07T22:50:00.003-05:00

RT @jakewalden: @jgmaty99 you know, if I had a gratitude list, you would be on it...oh wait, guess I do...thank you for all you do... mean that...

Art G Gonzales JT, In my search for words to describe your passion for your cause, I thought this quote described you so perfectly: "Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person." This is you my man!

Domestic Goddess said...
Ummmm.....10 days until 365....already have it on my calendar from what seems like forever ago but it's so exciting! I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO proud of you! Love my JTTTT

RT @SunnyBuns I am thinking of adding your cause to my Twitter homepage ... Just that I am a supporter and your blogg address ... do you mind?

...these are just some examples of the wonderful words of encouragement that I get daily from some of the most important people in my life...

Second Summer begins at World Camp Malawi...

2009-07-03T11:47:00.002-05:00

Read all about the second summer session that started recently. They seem to have a pretty large group this time around and there were two volunteers that stayed for the second session. I'm jealous! Sounds like they are making a huge impact with all of the schools they go to.

Here is the link to their blog post!

I'm often asked...

2009-06-30T07:53:00.004-05:00

just where is Malawi and this place you call Lilongwe. So, I took some snapshots from Google maps to try and give you an idea of where I'll be for the 5 weeks.

(this gives you an idea where Malawi is in regards to the whole continent of Africa)

(I highlighted Malawi in yellow)

Hope this helps give you a better understanding of where I'll be come January 2010.

First Summer Session Ends and Second Summer Session Begins...

2009-06-28T13:17:00.002-05:00

Check out the latest article of the Summer sessions at World Camp's Blog...

There is also a great link to an article from a 2007 volunteer. Please check out the article too which is linked on the World Camp blog.

Just in case the link to the volunteer article doesn't work...here it is too.

Putting my fundraiser hat back on...

2009-06-25T22:16:00.003-05:00

I have taken a couple weeks off from my letter writing campaign and fundraising. I am very dedicated to writing my letters or updating my various sites, but I also had to take the time off. Didn't want to stress myself out or the people that I was writing. It gave me time to relax and refresh so that I can jump back into fundraising. I am going to take a new approach and start trying to contact different media sites, radio, TV, and whatever else I can get my hands on. I've even thought of doing some crazy things like putting a huge sign on my roof that is visible from a low flying plane. I'm going to take this fundraising campaign to the next level. They are still coming in but I'm starting to feel the 5 month crunch. That's right...in about a week and 5 months I'll be taking off and landing in Africa. It's hard to think about right now because we are just a couple days into summer and I'll be taking off in the dead of winter here. So excited!

Hope everyone is doing well! Everyone be safe during the upcoming holiday and enjoy the time you have and keep living for the day!

Much love,
JT

National HIV Testing Day 06.27.09

2009-06-22T07:33:00.002-05:00

Please take a moment and share with your friends the importance of this day and read up on some statistics that are hitting us here in the US. Then check to see where your nearest testing facility is and take a friend to get tested. Even if you are not in a high risk group...you never know who is looking up to you!

National HIV Testing Day 06.27.09

Every 9 1/2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV...get the facts!

Summer volunteer update...

2009-06-10T15:27:00.002-05:00

The summer volunteers have certainly had some amazing things to see since they have been there. This is just another surprise event they encountered while in Malawi. Take a moment to read all about it here.

Update...

2009-06-09T22:44:00.002-05:00

Check out my gratitude list...this is my list of donors that have helped me in ways that I'll never be able to thank them enough. Please check out their links!

Here's another update from the volunteers at World Camp Malawi now...they just got back from a four day safari in Zambia. Be sure to stop by and see what they are up to! I can't wait to be a part of the updates!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Thank you for stopping by...

2009-05-29T16:50:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm going to be working this weekend as well as getting together some more fundraiser mailings. If you guys have any questions please don't hesitate to email, IM, Tweet, text, or call me. My contact information is listed in my emails and letters. You can also use the email feature at the bottom of this page to send me an email.

Also, to get an update on the summer volunteers at World Camp Malawi please click here.

Stay tuned for some important updates coming over the weekend!

Summer volunteer update...

2009-05-26T23:16:00.002-05:00

Here's another quick update link for World Camp's summer session volunteers. It all still seems like a dream that I'll be doing this in a few short months. Thanks for stopping by!

What a week...

2009-05-23T00:52:00.002-05:00

I really wish I had one application that posted to ALL of my sites. But I think posting to each individually keeps it interesting. (that was a totally random side note)

Check out this blog post about the Summer volunteers that just started out their journey. I was so excited to see an update on this blog. It was like a taste of what I'll be doing come January. So excited!

I got my first donation update email this week! How exciting is that?!?!? I'm going to make a sidebar element for all of my donors. And when I say donors I don't mean just the people that donate monetarily. I titled this "what a week" because it has been one of the craziest but best weeks ever. Training really hard for work, self-trained for my 2nd job, lots of stressful situations at work...BUT...I made it through and all of my nights really turned into great nights. I can't thank my Twitter friends enough. The word of my blog is really getting out there. Still getting GREAT feedback on my letters. The word-of-mouth factor is really getting out there too! So, it has been a week and I look forward to more weeks like this.

Don't forget to stop by World Camp Malawi's blog and wish everyone a good trip!

Quick update...

2009-05-22T00:10:00.002-05:00

I started the week out sending out a ton of letters to various businesses, churches, and clubs in my immediate area. I'm hoping I start to get some phone calls or some correspondence from them soon. I'm ready to start talking to everyone. I even have a presentation ready if they need or want me to come in to give out more details on the program.

I feel like this definitely needs to be talked about. I was having a rather rough week and started to feel a little overwhelmed. So, I turned to the internet like I usually do and my mind was blown away by the kindness of strangers and the feedback and support they provided to me. I'm still in awe just how much they genuinely cared. I was on Twitter.com and strangers just came out of the woodwork to lend me the support that I needed. It was a true showing of random acts of kindness. I would like to make a special mention of one of my Twitter friends, @GonzoGuy_Austin. He has just been an amazing guy with his words of support.

One last update...Mom delivered some great news that her pastor said that he is going to include my volunteer information in the e-newsletter that goes out to the entire church that has provided their email addresses. I think that is just some of the greatest news ever.

I love it when hard work pays off.

Instructions on donations and contributing...

2009-05-16T01:08:00.002-05:00

The education projects and accomplishments of World Camp are made possible by the hard work of volunteers and the generosity of private donors. Most donations made in the USA are tax deductible. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks to receive a tax receipt by mail to your billing address. Thank you for your time, consideration and support of disadvantaged communities worldwide.

Donate in the name of a volunteer!
Your donation will contribute directly to the great work we do abroad. Volunteers work hard to solicit donations on their behalf; they are rewarded by the by the uplifting experience of their participation and the knowledge that they are a part of change.

Many of you may have visited already and I wanted to make sure you have clear instructions on how to make a donation online if that is how you chose to make your contribution.

Please click on the "Donate Online Now" button and that will take you World Camp's Online Donation Form. Fill out your information (Name, Address, Credit Card information OR Check Information), and in the Comments section at the bottom of the page please make sure to include my name (Jamie Taylor) to make sure your contribution goes towards my fundraising account. Please use the email feature at the bottom of this blog if you have questions or you leave a comment on any post and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

You can also contact World Camp, Inc. directly with any questions you have about your contributions or donations. If you would prefer to donate via the mail, please mail the check along with indication of what the donation should be used for to:

Jamie Taylor
World Camp, Inc.
157 S. Lexington Ave.
Suite B1
Asheville, NC 28801
Telephone: 828-254-2339
Fax: 828-254-2338
Toll Free: 888-297-9669
info@worldcampforkids.org

Update...

2009-05-11T01:12:00.002-05:00

I'm really hoping things will finally slow down this week and I'll get to spend some much needed time working on all of the fine details, update posts, more pictures and links, and any information I get during the course of the week.

I hope everyone has a great week and thank you so much for stopping by. Please come back again soon and tell everyone about my incredible adventure coming up.

Much love,
JT

Welcome...

2009-05-07T14:05:00.003-05:00

Hello and thank you for stopping by my new blog. I've wanted to get a welcome video up for a few days now, but my web cam is experiencing technical difficulties. I may have to use YouTube and the digital camera for a while to get video updates posted to the blog, but I'll be limited to the 10 minute time frame allowed by YouTube for uploads. I'll make sure to keep you up to date the best way that I can for the time being.

With the housekeeping notes out of the way, I want to share with you guys my fundraising letters, some background information about me, more information about World Camp, and any updates I've had since I started the application process to volunteer.

A new update that I have for this post is my new Twitter backgrounds. I was fortunate enough to win a contest with a background designer and he designed two different backgrounds that will hopefully generate more traffic to this blog. My hopes are also that it generates questions directed to me as to what exactly World Camp is and what I'm doing with them. Make sure to check out the link by clicking on the "follow me" Twitter badge. Also, feel free to send me a "tweet" while you are there.

I'm going to keep this welcome note short, but look forward to my next post when I share my fundraising letters with you. Also, I'm going to get a donor list together with links to their personal or business pages.

I hope everyone is having a great week and I'll talk to you again soon.

Please stay tuned...

2009-05-01T21:53:00.003-05:00

I have some exciting news, updates, and stories coming very soon. Please stay tuned for updates. Also, I would love to hear any comments or suggestions you may have. This blog is still in it's infant stages, but I hope to have a complete blog up soon. A welcome video is in the works too. I'm also going to add some of my personal fundraising information. Thank you for stopping by and please come back again soon!

I Am Because We Are

2009-05-01T21:31:00.001-05:00

If you would like to watch the full screen version please click here.