Bloggers,

I have officially paid for my program fee for the three weeks of volunteering in Kenya. After exchange rates and taxes, the total cost to volunteer with the organization came to approximately $1,200 CDN. Thanks to the donations I have received from family, friends, and generous sponsors, I have raised nearly $1,800. That is more than half of my goal of raising $3,000 before leaving in February.

Soon, I will be sending off my passport to the Kenya High Commission (Embassy) in Ottawa to get my travel visa. Having this visa is one of the requirements when travelling to Kenya, in addition to the Yellow Fever vaccine card. I am also waiting for my criminal record check to be processed, as I will need to show customs officers this document upon entering this East African country.

Now that the holidays have come and gone, I will be working hard to increase the donations and sponsorships towards this volunteer project. The local newspaper, Barrie Examiner, who took interest in my story, will be publishing the article early this year. I am looking forward to seeing how the article turns out and, hopefully, it will shed some light on my volunteer project.

I have also completed the final questionnaire for my volunteer placement location. I have decided that a more urban experience would be of interest to me; whether it is a government run hospital or community health clinic. In addition, I expressed interest in being placed with other volunteers so that I am not entirely alone in being fresh to a new environment. I am sure wherever my placement shall be it will be one amazing opportunity. I find out two weeks before leaving where I am placed and I will keep all of you up to date.

Please feel free to spread the story of my volunteering adventure to those around you and help me reach my goal. Any support, whether through donations or words of encouragement on this blog, is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Jake