We are Back!!

'Greetings from Sunrise of Life Tanzania! 

It’s so good to be back at the centre: seeing the children we already know, meeting the new ones we haven’t met yet, and attempting to pick up the language again. 

This year we have a lot to learn. As the drop in centre opened after I left the last time, that’s entirely new for me and the team we have here this year. Tomorrow we will go into town with Peace to learn all about it from the staff there. 

Over the coming four months, we have four volunteers in and out, as well as myself. Let me introduce you to them and myself, as we will all be blogging regularly to keep you updated.  

Amy Kwekel

United States of America

Age 22

Amy is currently in her final semester of a Community Health Education degree, with a minor in psychology. Amy has a strong passion for health and a strength in education. She believes that health behaviour change begins first with education. Amy is excited to be doing her internship with Sunrise of Life, and is looking forward to making a positive impact on the lives of the people she interacts with in Tanzania. 

Janelle van Hierden

Alberta, Canada

Age 19

Janelle has been involved with Sunrise of Life for a number of years, helping with fundraisers back home. As a child reading books, she dreamed of going to Africa and helping someone, somehow. At age fourteen, she declared that one day she would go to Tanzania with Sunrise of Life, and this year she decided to make that dream happen. Back home, Janelle works with adults with special needs, and is currently studying to be a Health Care Aide. She is looking forward gaining a better understanding of the culture and life of the children at Sunrise of Life, and helping out wherever possible. 

Hilda (Left) Charmaine (Right)

Charmaine de Jonge

Alberta, Canada

Age 21

After a spur of the moment trip in 2011 with Tom, I fell in love with the people and children at Sunrise of Life. Upon returning home, I became actively involved with Sunrise of Life, and currently I sit on our Canadian board. This year, I am excited to be working with our new manager and volunteers to further the building of a sustainable organization, and finding local ways for the organization to bring in income. Mostly, I look forward to getting to know all the kids and further building bonds with the ones I already know. At the end of the day, the children are the reason I come, and will always be coming back. Like it says in our brochure, “every child, no matter where they are on this earth, deserves an equal chance at life.” That’s our goal. 

Hilda de Jonge

Alberta, Canada

Since I became in involved in Sunrise of Life in 2011, my mom has been in the background, helping with fundraisers, giving advice and mostly supporting all the work we do. This year, she is planning to visit the centre and see for herself everything she has been helping to build. We’re super excited to have her here, and to share this piece of our world with her. Thanks for all your support, Mom!

Robyn Vandenhoek

Alberta, Canada

Age 17

Robyn has been involved with Sunrise of Life for a few years now, helping out with fundraisers and building awareness. She loves children, and is hoping to dedicate her career to something that caters towards that passion. Upon realizing she could fast track her final year of school and come to Tanzania for a few months, Robyn did exactly that. She hopes to graduate in February, and be in Tanzania by March. Following her experience with Sunrise of Life, Robyn intends to complete a degree in Social Work. Robyn is excited to gain awareness of life in Tanzania, and is looking forward to the experience it will provide her with.

We’re super excited to be working with everyone this year, and look forward to all the experiences we are sure it will bring. Follow us on Facebook for blog updates and Instagram for pictures, and we will do our best to share this entire experience with you. Thank you for all your support in the past years, and the support to come. Together, we can give every child that equal chance at life. Together, we can effect change. Together, we are building a better tomorrow for the kids of Sunrise of Life. 

Charmaine 

and the Sunrise of Life Team (Ever growing!)