• Question: I am also going to Tanzania in the summer, anything you think I should look out for? or anywhere/anything valuable for me to help with? We are going to an orphanage because my sister is hoping to study medicine at university, but do you have any other suggestions/ recommendations? :)

    Asked by minion1 to Cat, Daz, Holly, Johnson, Pamela on 21 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Cat O'Connor

      Cat O'Connor answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Hi Minion1,

      Wow, ye guys are so good. And i’m very jealous, i’ve still not been to Tanzania but can’t wait to go. Especially if I won and could go and see what a difference your guys votes had made to the kids lives!

      Well first, I would check out the orphanages facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tir-na-nOg-Orphanage/190380647840 where you can see photos and videos and read updates about all the guys who go out there to help. And please don’t be shy! Leave a comment if you want to ask any questions and if you say you know about the charity through me, I know you’ll get an answer straight away! Or even ask your sister to do it, Louise (the founder) would love to give you guys some advice!

      You guys are going to have so much fun in Tanzania, not only is it a beautiful county (especially if you get to see some wildlife) but also the kids out there love to have fun. And they love learning so will love practicing any english words or songs you teach them.

      I would go prepared to work hard but also play hard and have loads of fun with the kids. Oh, and bring colouring books and crayons or pencils. There is no language barrier with colouring and I still love to do it so maybe you do too!

      But…and I say this very seriously….be prepared. It is going to break your heart when you hear some of the stories and it will be very hard to see how little these kids have and how much we have at home that we take for granted and waste. You will be very sad when you come home, but you’ll be a changed person and a better person because from now on, you’ll want to help people to have a better life and do fundraising like I do or anything at all to help!

      I’m in awe of you guys and if you leave any comments on Tir Na NOgs facebook page i’ll make sure to look out for them and make sure you get great answers!

      Have the best trip 😀

      Cat

    • Photo: Pamela Lithgow

      Pamela Lithgow answered on 19 Jun 2011:

      That is a great answer from Cat! I don’t really know anything about Tanzania so I will leave it to her greater experience to advise you.
      Pam 🙂

    • Photo: Darren Braddick

      Darren Braddick answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi minion1!

      I don’t think I could do better than Cat’s answer here. I know its a beautiful country – be sure to take every opportunity to learn about it. As Cat suggested, it might be a bit humbling, but do not let that take the focus from the pure humanity of such a country. I bet it would be a very good trip. I hope your sister gets to study medicine too – it’s a great degree and can be so useful. I wish I could get a holiday in Tanzania too.. And I also wonder what would have happened if I had done medicine myself!!

      Have fun and good luck!

      Daz

Comments

  • Photo: minion1

    minion1 commented on :

    Wow that orphanage site looks amazing thanks! 2 years ago I went to India and helped in a school and two local hospitals and it was the best two weeks of my life! I celebrated my birthday on one of the days in school and the hospitality and happiness they show in the circumstances still amazes me! I will remind my mum to get some things for the children and keep watching what the charity is doing, it all sounds so amazing! This has made me even more excited about it and I will keep voting for you Cat (sorry to the others! my friends are voting for you all! :))
    Thank you! And best of luck 🙂

    • Photo: Cat

      Cat commented on :

      Thanks minion1, I really appreciate it. And I am inspired by your dedication to charity. At such a young age, having done so much to help humanity is amazing, well done.

      If we win the £500, as i’m only a small part of this competition, it’s all down to you guys, I promise to keep you updated and let you know how the school is getting on! Now if you can just try and get me a few more votes 😀

      Cat

  • Photo: minion1

    minion1 commented on :

    I love it 🙂 Best of luck! i’ll tru to convince my friends! 😀