Sophomore Haley French works with children on her summer 2010 trip to Africa. French had worked in Tanzania twice during recent years, helping d1ose in need. Courtesy ofHaley French While teaching children, French bonds with a girl during a lesson. Having formed meaningful relationships on her first trip, French decided to ret1.u·n summer 2011. Courtesy ofHaley French Aiding the locals, French paints the walls of a church building. French had to adjust to the African way of life, which was drastically different from her own culture. Courtesy of Haley French .J.k ~ k CUA~.fof africa For sophomore early childhood education major Haley French, previous summer breaks had been anything but ordinary. In high school, French participated in a mission trip to Tanzania with other members from her church youth group. Now in college, French was busy preparing herself mentally and spiritually to return to Africa long-term. "Honestly, it's never something I really considered until it just happened," French said. "But now I really have a passion for it." A yearning for ilie work was planted in French's heart at age 16 during her first trip to Tanzania, when she learned about the culture and grew to love the people. Since she entered college, she had returned to Tanzania twice. During those summers, French helped with a primary school during the day, painting classrooms and helping in the workshop. In ilie evenings, her group hosted a Vacation Bible School for villages surrounding the mission while the men on the trip preached, giving the group opportunities to form relationships wiili ilie locals and play with the children. The stark differences between Tanzanian and American life convinced French that Tanzania was the place she was meant to stay long-term. "Going there makes me realize how little I need to get by," French said. "At home, I have a closet full of clothes and I think, 'I need more,' but seeing how little they get by on, and they're so happy, humbles me and brings me down a notch. I almost wish things were more like that herejust because I feel that would take away the petty stress of everyday life." French was unsure when her next return to Africa would be, but she was certain she would make it back to see the people who changed her life again someday. "It's an eye-opening experience," French said. "You can do mission work domestically, but it's not going to broaden your horizons the same way as going overseas will. If someone said, 'Here's a plane ticket; pick where you want to go,' I'd pick Africa any day." Mallory Davis People-Sophomore Feature 57
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