On My Way!!!

So the adventure is about to begin! A quick stop off in the Euro-zone to visit my boyfriend and sister before heading on down to South Africa.

Just thought I'd update everyone on how the funding is going so far! Thank you again for all of your support!!!!! I have such a loving and amazing extended family here back in the States, it is going to be hard to leave for such a long time! But I hope to see you all soon upon my return! :)

I am very pleased and excited to announce that I have been chosen for the St. Charles Social Concerns Committee's MiniGrant program. The grant is awarded to those that are giving back to the community and or working on a worthy cause that is helping a social cause. This grant, originally for $200 awarded to me, and the committee decided to add another $300 on top of that to help me out! They wrote "We were very impressed with the work you will be doing as an intern for with the De Doorns Integration Project," which is very encouraging to hear!!
 I feel very blessed and thankful to all those involved in that committee! They believe in my cause and I'm very proud to be the recipient of this award! So that has definitely made the start to this journey incredible!

With this grant, the wages and tips from serving at Bruno's restaurant in Livermore this past month, and the EXTREMELY GENEROUS donations from friends and family I have been able to raise just over $2,200! So thank you all for your help, thoughts and prayers!!!! Most of all, as I'm sure I've told most of you, your moral support is what I treasure the most, especially as I explore a new continent so far away! Its more comforting than you could imagine, knowing that I have a loving and supporting community back home, that is proud of my endeavors. So thank you for thinking of me! I'll be thinking of all of you!!!


I'll keep you updated!
Thank you all again for your love and support!!!

-Laura