Thursday, January 13, 2011

Tanzania Volunteer John Alsup featured in Rapid City Journal!!

Tanzania Volunteer John Alsup was featured on January 12th in the Rapid City Journal. Use the link below to view the full article, or read below for a taste of John's article!!


RAPID ITY JOURNAL LINK -

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/lifestyles/article_346c6ab0-1dc7-11e0-ae9b-001cc4c002e0.html




BHSU professor aims to develop education in Africa

"It was 2006, and the Black Hills State University professor was trying to 'reorient my life and figure out what was important' when he saw a UNICEF commercial on Darfur, Sudan.

'I thought it might be wonderful to see if I could help in some way,' he said.

Alsup ended up traveling to Africa in July and August of 2007 to teach math in a rural village deep in Tanzania with the help of Global Volunteers, an organization that facilitates nonprofit, short-term volunteer work for people in education and health services.

Alsup shared his work with students and staff at BHSU earlier this year. He has also been called to share with others around the world. Since his trip to Tanzania, Alsup has traveled to Korea, Europe and Greece, as well as several conferences in the U.S., to speak about his trip and his work.

'My passion is education within the developing world,' he said.

His trip to Tanzania was 'life-changing,' he said. Many of the African villages have been stricken with HIV and malaria. Poverty is a way of life, and education is often one of the only ways to escape it.

While in Africa, Alsup taught elementary and high school math to 80 students in a packed classroom.

'It was an amazing experience,' he said.

His goal now, he said, is to bring awareness to people in the U.S.

'I want to highlight, emphasize and bring awareness without being righteous about it,' he said, so people will be more conscious of the developing world."


If you're interested in joining us in Tanzania in 2011, please call us today at 1-800-487-1074!!

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