Teens seek help to make a difference in Africa
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Six youth group members are currently raising funds to do missionary work in Zambia, Africa this summer.
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By Natasha Clark
Assistant Managing Editor
EAST LONGMEADOW - About one million people are living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia, Africa. The life expectancy is 37 years of age. Seventy-eight percent of the population lives below the poverty line.
It is to this South African country six local teens hope to travel during their summer vacation leaving behind their familiar comforts of life for the unknown and an opportunity to spread the message of hope and faith to a village that may be in dire need of some.
While the benefits of such an experience is priceless, the price tag for the trek is about $3,000 per person, putting the trip slightly out of their grasp, but attainable with help of the community.
"As a group we're helping to raise money," First Baptist Church Associate Pastor Garrett Johnston said, explaining that the volunteer opportunity was made possible through I AM Ministries.
Johnston said around 20 people in the church are planning to go on the trip of these six are teens from the church's youth group, including three youth group leaders, Tracey Walz, Sharon Robichaud, and Carolyn Dancy.
If the teens are able to raise the funds to go to Africa, they will help run bible schools, meetings, and participate in community outreach efforts.
Johnston said in the meantime they will be hosting fund-raiser spaghetti suppers and are currently running a bottle and can drive, to make the trip a reality.
The teens seem to glow when talking about doing mission work.
"Since I was little I wanted to go to Africa," said Katelyn Rhodes. Joseph Walz echoed her sentiments, adding that he "always wanted to do a mission trip."
His mother, Tracey, said he has been saving his paper route money for over two years to take part in a missionary trip. As one of the youth group leaders, she looks forward to taking part in her first missionary excursion with her son.
"I hope first off that he gets a heart for missions and becomes more aware of his world, [so that he may] get a world vision. That would be the ultimate for me," Tracey said.
Robichaud, who has been on other missions, said this would be an opportunity for the youth to "do some growing and maturing," and that "it takes a lot of faith to expect to find the funding" for such an event.
"This is life changing," she added. "These people are in such poverty."
Residents interested in participating in the drive can drop recyclable items off at the church's Parker Street location or can bring them to the youth group on Wednesday nights at Meadow Brook School, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The group will also host a Bottle Drive Blitz Feb. 17, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 50 Parker Street.
Facts about Zambia, Africa courtesy of www.usaid.gov.
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