It’s amazing how the people in our lives can spark unexpected passions. You might remember me mentioning a colleague who fosters orphaned elephants for the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Their dedication was truly inspiring.
Then there’s my sister Janet, who always had a strong connection to Africa. She volunteered with the Peace Corps in Ethiopia and fell in love with the people and their culture. Her commitment has led her back there at least ten times to continue her literacy work. (She’s pictured in this post.)
In 2018, she received a Fulbright Scholarship to work on a Chromebook project in Axum, Ethiopia (interestingly, Denver’s sister city!). Knowing I’d always wanted to visit Africa, I saw this as my chance. While researching Kenya for the Sheldrick Trust, I discovered a tour that fit perfectly and allowed me to visit my sister in Ethiopia too.
Planning international travel, especially for the first time, can be overwhelming, but I was determined to see both my “adopted” elephant family and my sister. I’ll share the details of that adventure in future posts.
Since that initial trip, Kenya has become a special place for me as Ethiopia is to her. I’ve returned several times to visit the elephants and experience exciting safaris with a fantastic guide. Now, I’m planning another trip back to my Kenyan “home.”
I want to share these life-changing experiences with you and help you navigate the steps to plan your own dream African adventure.