I have had a dream for the last 4 years and the time has come for this dream to be a reality. I wanted to combine my passions in life together with, teaching, making a difference and travelling.
So I started fund-raising at my school and companies around the Middle East and got funds to support the improvement in African Education. I will be travelling around the coastline of the African continent and will be volunteering my time to schools in rural areas.
These schools will receive solar powered laptops as well as training from my team and I :)

Departure date- 1st July 2011
Duration: 1 year ++ (or however long money lasts)

 What happened this week?
 It was a week of Media and craziness.Every free lesson I had at work I was juggling meetings with
Media. It’s great- busy busy busy.

What else still needs to be done before departure?
Organization of the EETH launch and farewell event.
I have the venue and now I got to try convincing some sponsors for few nibbles and a welcome drink I surely can’t be expected to pay for it as I am still short of funds for the trip. Right?
All I need to do now is send out some final donation pleading letters.

Who have you asked this week for donations?
This week I decided to approach old friends from the past. I must say I was quite surprised that I sent out over 300 Facebook messages, asking for contributions, no matter how big or small. Can you believe that only ONE person donated, strange how in this day and age it is very difficult to touch people’s heart for a greater good? I’m sure more than one person can afford US$10. I’m not bitter just a bit disappointed! But then again, life does go on and as I said- these were old friends who have all moved on with life and I am sure supporting their immediate communities and friends.

 What are next week’s plans?
I will be heading out on an expedition to Nepal next weekend. Woohoo! Life is tough. I will be taking 10 students on a Duke of
Edinburgh trip into the Himalayas for some adventure. What a way to take some time out before the big African Voyage. 

Could I possibly ask for life to get any better????

An amazing  friend Cora-Marie van der Merwe had to come to South Africa for her friend’s wedding. There was a special on Quatar Airways for bye- one- get- one- free. She gave me the free ticket for my birthday! WoohOO!

So I got a free trip home! It worked out well as it turned out to be the same weekend my family was organizing my father’s 60th surprise birthday party. Now who said oldies can’t party J It was great listening to my father’s old Saasveld (College) friends and hearing all the crazy stories. My Dad was naughty! Now we know where I get it from J

Now my name would not be Tamin if I didn’t take full advantage of this little trip. So I organised 5 meeting today. I have already met 4 different people and now sitting at the airport waiting for my last appointment, my Clearing Agent for my car- Mike Jones.

One of my appointments today was a telephonic interview with 5fm’s Kim Schulze. She will be featuring my story live on the Youngblood on Wednesday 11am (SA time). They will also have a write up on their website and this will hopefully help my websites hits and hopefully get me a few more donations . YAY!

Check out what it is all about:

http://www.5fm.co.za/campaigns-folder/youngblood

So all in all it was a well worth trip out to SA and to spend some quality time with my family before my big adventure.