and the countdown is on

After much begging and pleading, scrimping and saving, incredible generosity and ingenious money-making, I've paid my program fee for my internship. Which means...

I'm moving to Kenya in a months time!

A huge thank you to everyone who gave to this endeavor - you know who you are.

Thank you.

Now to the packing!

This is my bag. 

I have a 20kg luggage allowance...

For one year's worth of stuff. 

I've started to write a list of things I will be taking. So far I have 5 bras, 10 pairs of underwear and 5 sockettes. And a toothbrush. 

I shall keep you updated on my list making. 

trusting is stressful

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight"

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"

Hebrews 11:1

"Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"

Philippians 4:6-7

As you all know, I'm headed to Kenya in fifty-one days *eek exciting* with the Foundation for Sustainable Development.

But what you might not know is that my program fee, that is the money I have to pay to do the volunteering, is due next week. For the year I'm paying $13,310 USD, which when you think about it is not that much over the 52 weeks (approx. $255 a week) covering my food, accommodation, basic medical insurance, in country transport, language and cultural lessons, and kickstarter funds for my projects. 

I'm privileged to have been granted the Katie Evans Memorial Scholarship, granted to FSD interns undertaking Public Health projects. This covers $5,000 USD of my program fee, and for me personally, indicates that I'm headed in the right direction with my career. 

So that leaves $8,010 USD (I paid $300 as my acceptance fee). When I accepted this position, the AUD to USD conversion was at about 90c to the US dollar, meaning I needed about $8,900 Australian. However, over the past three months the Aussie dollar has dropped to 80c to the US dollar, meaning I need to pay just over $10,000 Aussie - an extra $1100! *argh*

such a depressing chart - AUD to USD over the past three months

This is making me ridiculously anxious. Sure, I trust that God will pull through and the money will come from somewhere, but I just can't see it. Godly peace, human anxiousness.

I have been ridiculously spoilt by friends and family so far - for example, my brother gave me his coin jar for Christmas - and with my own savings I've gathered together almost enough! However, I find myself around $2,500 short *sadness and stress*

deposit slip from my brothers coin box

So, here's where I beg and plead of you. If you've thought somewhere in the past couple of months that you'd put money towards this incredible opportunity, then it's now the time to donate! I know it's just after Christmas, and money is tight, so if you can spare any amount - $20, $50, maybe even $100? - then I would be so grateful! I know many of you have promised but just not gotten around to it yet - now is the time to remember! 

I hate asking like this and honestly I'm doing everything I can to make the money myself - selling everything I can, working at weird jobs (airtasker...), Centrelink - but I need your help.

You can donate through paypal (click the people on the top right of this page) or email me at theanita1@gmail.com to get my bank details.

Thanks in advance!