Friday, January 21, 2011

Six Months!

I can't believe its been more than six months since I've back from South Africa.  So much has happened since!  I completed the fall semester at UMD and just this week applied for several internships.  If you aren't aware, I am pursuing a major in International Development and applying for internships that deal with sustainable aid, specifically micro-financing.  Two of these micro-financing organizations are:



Both of these organizations are Christian-based, micro-financing, non-profit organizations.  HOPE is located in Lancaster, PA and Opportunity is in Oak Brook, Illinois, but has an internship opportunity in Washington, DC.  Feel free to click on their logos and check out their websites.


On a totally different topic, I just received news that the township that I spent most of my time in South Africa just got hit with a fire yesterday night.  By the time the fire was put out, 36 shacks had burned down.  They said about 100 people are out of a home right now, stranded in the heat of the African summer.  Below is a picture of the aftermath; clicking on the picture will take you to the site where Lourens describes the tragedy in greater detail and respectfully asks for our assistance.  Please join me in praying for them and sending them financial support.


Thank you for your continuing your interest of South Africa with me.  I definitely still feel like my heart is being drawn back there and hope to find myself in a long-term commitment there after I graduate from college.  If you would like to keep up with South Africa through the eyes of another college-aged American, feel free to follow Michelle Klassen's blog- she just arrived in South Africa and will spend the next 6 months there.