What I'm doing in Zanzibar

I have always been curious about the world. How people live, what they eat, what their daily lives are like... Then a few years ago I traveled to Thailand for my honeymoon and I was bitten by the travel bug. I loved seeing the traditional markets, eating from the same street stands as a local and speaking to a local who was just as curious about where I was from as I was about their home. After that trip, I vowed to get to know as much of the world as I could.

When I began my masters in Applied Theatre, I knew that I wanted to combine my love of travel and culture with my love of theatre. I am finally getting that opportunity. On July second I will be traveling to Zanzibar, Tanzania. Let me say that again.

ON JULY SECOND I WILL BE TRAVELING TO ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it myself. It doesn't seem real, to be honest but, it is and I am going. I will be working with about twenty boys and girls between the ages of 15 and 18 creating an original play based on their interests, passions and curiosities. I have no idea what the end product will look like. I have no idea what they will want to talk about. I know about some of the issues they face as young men and women in East Africa but what does a teenager there care about? I will soon find out. While we are creating this play, we will also be helping these young men and women learn and improve their English, a language that they will soon be tested on; a test that can make or break their future. They have only one opportunity to take this test and they can either pass or fail. If they pass, the possibility for a better education and a good job is increased. If they fail....? I want to help give these young men and women every opportunity to succeed, feel empowered to succeed while having them learn that their ideas, passions and concerns about their community deserve and need to be heard.

I will be taking with me a laptop and a camera and hope to document as much of my experience as possible. While I will not be allowed to use my own camera during the sessions with the young people (we will be using one company camera so as not to overwhelm the group) I will be constantly taking pictures of Stonetown and my other travels. I will be writing daily journals about my experiences, successes and failures. You are invited to come on this journey with me through this blog. Feel free to write advice, words of encouragement or just say hello.

For those of you who have already offered support, both monetary and through kind words, I thank you. You can learn more about my trip and donate if you can via a paypal link through this site: http://www.educationregistry.com/profile.php?id=223&style=owner

So, let's go to Zanzibar!!!!!!!!