Traveling to Africa: A Dream Come True

I’ve been wanting to travel to sub-Saharan Africa for so long that I can no longer pinpoint the exact moment my interest was sparked. I’ve been fascinated by the histories and cultures and people of so many nations that I’ve quite possibly discussed my love of Africa with every friend I have. Not only that, but planning imaginary safaris is a regular activity anytime I have some time to daydream and access to a computer (aka once every few months). So, when I found out I would have the opportunity to travel to sub-Saharan Africa for work, it truly felt like a dream come true.

I wish I could pinpoint the exact moment that I was captivated by Africa, but the truth is that it evolved over time. I can remember geography lessons from a junior high social studies class that involved labeling each country on a map of the African continent. I was steadfast in my commitment to learn them all and was successful—still relying on the knowledge of basic locations to this day. And, oddly enough, in most moments I can place African countries better than I can states on the East Coast. Not only that, but I acquired one of my favorite questions to ask: Did you know that the capital of Djibouti is…Djibouti? (Well, did you?)

While the map stirred up something, it wasn’t until sometime in high school that I actually learned more the culture and people who make up the 54 countries in Africa. I had to start somewhere though, and that somewhere was Uganada. It was one of my favorite teachers who introduced me to Invisible Children. Not only was I fascinated by her travels to Uganda, but I was shocked by the information she shared about the LRA crisis in the northern region. I was so captivating that I couldn’t take in information quick enough. Suddenly my time was spent poring over the organization’s website, continually moved by the stories they highlighted of a small fraction of the 60,000 children abducted, tens of thousands killed, and millions of others who were displaced. I couldn’t believe I had never heard of Joseph Kony, but I began to share his name and the stories of the people of northern Uganda with whoever would listen.

Over the subsequent months that interest in Uganda continued to grow. I read countless books and the more I read, the more I began to learn of similar atrocities occurring in countries all around Africa. I could no longer stay focused on just this one place and began to read about child soldiers in Sierra Leone and about three boys who found themselves lost after a childhood in war-ravaged Sudan. I took in movies as well watching Blood Diamond, Hotel Rwanda, and whichever documentaries I could get my eyes on. With each new story acquired, my interest grew and my knowledge expanded tenfold. The narratives were as poetic as they were heartbreaking. The ability these individuals have to forgive those who put them through excruciating circumstances was, and is awe-inspiring. It’s bits and pieces of their stories I feel tugging at the back of my mind when I’m debating holding onto a grudge. (If you’ve ever heard a Holocaust survivor speak then you are aware of the grace and acceptance that these Africans have developed after experiencing unimaginable loss and hardship.) To hear of their hardships, and experience them on the other side remaining strong, resilient, loving, kind, and, in most cases, still so proud of their nationality seems nearly unbelievable. Yet, I’ve seen it time and time again.

By the time that I reached undergrad, I was learning theories that allowed me to make connections about all of the information I had consumed. I learned of power structures and colonization and racial dynamics. As I brought these elements into the mix, I could begin to understand how a crisis that seems nearly identical in its approach and devastating effects could happen happen again and again not just in the same country, but across the continent. After taking an African History course, I even considered majoring in African Studies—though the interest in a major with solid career prospects won out and I got a degree in…well, journalism. And yet, despite that, I find myself heading to Africa. I can’t wait to take in even more information. To meet incredible people, explore the countries, and experience the cultures firsthand. Hope you’ll come along for the next phase of my “Africa obsession.”