On a serious note...

One of the biggest reasons for this trip to Africa is to care for the magnificent creatures and the land that provides them with safety and security. The folks there, staff and volunteers alike, work hard day in and day out to provide for these animals and their land. Their conservation efforts have inspired me to get involved. 

Many of the wildlife in the sanctuary, and all over the continent, are in serious endangerment. While humans continue to build, they are encroaching on the land all these animals need to survive. Unfortunately, this is a common problem all over the world. Conflicts between local farmers and predators has been a serious an issue. Predators have been known to hunt the livestock of the farmers resulting in these animals being killed for their crimes. This is why efforts are being made to provide a safe haven for predators and prey animals alike. These animals should not be chased out of their homes or killed for acting on their instincts. This problem mixed with the danger of poachers has led many of these animals to the brink of extinction. (See a list of the endangered and critically endangered animals of the world here: https://worldwildlife.org/species/directory?direction=desc&sort=extinction_status) More of them are living in captivity or on reservations/sanctuary lands than are actually living in the wild. It is absolutely heartbreaking. To think that our actions can cause an entire species to cease to exist is overwhelming. That is why we need to make efforts to combat those who are causing their extinction and strive to conserve the land and animals that share this world with us. Too many people see them as a nuisance or as unimportant. And to think in 20 or 50 years, some may never share this earth with us again. Even if it is only bringing attention to these issues, we can all do our part to help. I never feel like the donations I make to operations like the World Wildlife Fund are enough. While they do help greatly, I feel like a more hands-on approach assists more directly. And it just feels good. (Hence my trip!)

Those living at the sanctuary are either being rehabilitated before they can be released back into the wild or there is no chance they can ever be released and will be cared for by the sanctuary possibly for the rest of their lives. While they are taken care of so well there (provided with shelter, food, and love daily), nothing can quite replace living in the wild. Some will never feel that kind of freedom again. Imagine never being able to leave your own property ever again. That's pretty rough. 

But there is an upside to having these resident animals around! All kinds of research can be done to help us provide the best possible care for them and their wild family members. We can even help population numbers from dwindling out completely. Efforts like this are what has helped in part to keep these guys around thus far. 

We all need to keep around the gorillas, tigers, lions and all the other beautiful animals some of us have taken for granted. Let's not leave our children with a world void of God's incredible and unique creatures! Do your part to help. 

Until next time, Dreamers!

-Kristina 

I'm freaking out! In a good way.

On a whim, and all by chance, I was inspired today to go to Africa and decided that I'm going to make it happen. Wow. I'm already overwhelmed. There is so much to plan! As I have never vacationed as an adult (or out of this country, or with out my family, or by plane) there is a TON to think about. At least I know where I want to go. The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary in Africa. That is quite a ways from home in Chicago. The plane ride is about 30 hours and I've never been on a plane. I WILL pee my pants. Either out of excitement or fear, I'm not sure which one yet. My only problem is financing the trip. That is why I started a funding page (http://www.gofundme.com/comingtoafrica) and this blog to not only get the word out but to track the process for myself and anyone else who may find it interesting. Which is probably just me. But regardless of who cares, it is a once in a lifetime adventure for me and I am going to document it with blurry pictures, terrible grammar/spelling, and this blog. Are you getting excited yet? Ok, just me again on that one as well. Got it.

The plan:
* Coax someone(s) to accompany me because I'm a huge sissy who could never do this alone.
* Raise money from generous donors (they are the only one's who can make this possible).
* Get my first passport and a million other things for the trip.
* Beg my boss for two weeks off work (saving up those sick days!)
* Convince my mother that I WILL come back alive. No, I will not contract a disease. Yes, I will contact you in some way every hour so you know I'm alive. Yes, I'll eat well. Please stop crying, Mom…

Then it's off to Africa!

While I'm there (probably in October if all goes well with the campaign), I will be preparing meals and feeding the wildlife at the sanctuary, helping with conservation efforts, learning a ton, making new friends from all over the world, learning how to survive in the bush, and a thousand other amazing things that I can not wait to experience. I have my doubts about raising enough money but people can surprise you. And I love to be surprised.

I never thought I would create a fund page, or a blog, and just decide to go to Africa in one day. The monotony of my life these days is making me a little stir crazy. I need to travel. I need to visit places and do the things I always dreamed of doing. I'm tired of reading inspirational quotes about living life to the fullest and then thinking "yeah, easy for you to say". We don't all get opportunities to do the things we want. That is why I'm trying to make it happen for myself (with a lot of help from great people of course). Because if I don't try now, who knows what life will throw at me. Strike while the iron's hot! Grab the bull by the horns! Volunteer in Africa while you're still young and able! All our dreams need a little push every now and again. And I'm full steam ahead.