Help Send Geoff to Africa!

Hello ! 

I have been presented with the oppurtunity to spend 7 weeks in Tanzania, Africa this summer, 2014, as part of the University of British Columbia Okanagan's Go Global Cultures and Communities program. While I'm there, I will be living and learning with other students in Nguruma Village,Tanzania. We'll partner with The Vijiji Foundation, a local non-profit organization as volunteers to learn the principles and practices of Community Based Research and to work alongside community members to develop and implement a variety of sustainable VolunTourism programs in bio-intensive agriculture and the environment, education and English-language literacy, and sustainable community development. 

The Vijiji Foundation Facebook page for more information - https://www.facebook.com/vijijifoundation

Courses while Studying (Further Information and Source/Link: http://students.ok.ubc.ca/global/outgoing/group-study-programs/current-programs/tanzania.html)

 ANTH 409: Topics in Applied Anthropology: Community-Based Research

This course introduces the principles and practices of Community Based Research.  Community Based Research (CBR) is defined as research that is community-situated, collaborative and action-oriented.    It starts with a research question that is practical and pertinent to the community.  Then, community members and researchers work together to design and implement the research program and to share the results.  The goal of CBR is to develop a process and a product that are useful to the community in creating positive social change.

ANTH 490: Anthropological Perspectives on Voluntourism

This course examines the potential and pitfalls of Voluntourism through both theoretical and applied perspectives.  Voluntourism – or volunteer vacations – is a one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry as students, professionals and baby boomers seek to add meaning to their travel experience by “doing something good” for local communities.  But it is not without its share of controversy.  Some welcome Voluntourism as a way to increase the volunteer ethic and awareness of “others”.  However, many are critical of its practices, suggesting the trips are unsustainable, that they only serve to strengthen the dichotomy between “us” and “them”, and in the end, fail to provide long-term benefits to communities.  Is Voluntourism just a fleeting, feel good holiday or can it be sustainable and contribute to positive, long-term social change?  

This class is being held in cooperation with The Vijiji Foundation, a local non-governmental organization based in Nguruma Village, Tanzania.  Students will be volunteering with different community organizations in the village and surrounding area to demonstrate the fundamentals of organic farming and develop organic gardens. 

So far..

I am currently trying to save up money for this trip, but as a student any help is apprectiated to take advantage of an amazing oppurtunity such as this. Any money raised will go to pay for the program itself, my flight, UBCO tuition, immunization, and visas.

Donations of ANY amount helps

Thanks Everybody ! ! 

Geoff