Hey Everyone,
Again, I want to thank everyone for their generous donations. I am about $950 away from my goal of $3500 and I leave in just over a month! I'm incredibly exicted about this trip, I know I'm going to return a different person. This is exactly how I pictured the end of University to be... I feel like I've been going a million miles a minute finishing up my 7 final papers and 2 final exams but I know its all worth it in the end...
I'm not too sure what level of internet access I will have while over there (if I have any at all) but I will try my best to update everyone on how my trip is playing out so be sure to bookmark this page! If I do get a chance to update the blog I will try to attach some pictures so you all get a chance to experience a taste of what I'll be seeing everyday (lol).
Everyone tells me that once I go, I won't want to come back. But not to worry, unfortunately it is Global Youth Network's policy that if you leave with them, you must return with them as well. So, moral of the story is I will be back June 2nd to fill all of you in on what promises to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

Look out for more from your friendly neighborhood (budding) globe-trotter ;)...

-Peace!

THANK YOU TO MY VERY GENEROUS SUPPORTERS:

Relatives, sister-friends, neighbours; colleagues (past and present) and strangers continue to responded generously to my fundraising appeal on behalf of the Global Youth Network and my planned volunteer trip to Burkina Faso in West Africa. This is a note to say “thank you” for your outstanding generosity.

As you may know, I’ll be graduating from McMaster University this year in social work. I hope to focus on youth. One of the things I do hope to get from this relatively brief visit to Burkina Faso is a better on-the-ground understanding of the daily challenges of people in the developing world and, in particular, young people.

As the diversity of Toronto continues to expand, I believe that this experience will serve me well in helping to address the needs of young people, particularly newcomer youth, who often feel disenchanted in their new country. Again, thank you very much for your generosity. Nataleah

I am going to Burkina Faso (Central West Africa) in May 2009 - as part of a volunteer work team. I will leave Toronto in early May and return June 1, 2009.

Immediately after graduation in 2009 I have decided to volunteer in Burkina Faso (Central West-Africa) as part of McMaster University’s Global Youth Network work team. While in Burkina Faso, as part of this team I will be working with street youth, helping in HIV/AIDS clinics, and working alongside widows and children in a mango factory.

As a result of this trip I hope to have experiences that will increase my confidence in my ability to make a difference in the world. Also to encourage and develop leadership skills and offer valuable work and educational experience that will better help me determine my future career focus.

Generally speaking these short-term trips serve to inspire Canadian youth toward effecting change in their own communities and to continue to stay connected to the world. The Team Travel programs also allow Global Youth Network to sustain relationships with its international partners thereby keeping its commitment to long-term development.

Each team member is asked to raise $3500 to cover a portion of the team’s expenses of transportation, accommodation, meals, and training. I am grateful for the many contributions already received toward almost two-thirds of the fundraising goal. If you are able to support me in this effort, your gifts should be mailed directly to the Global Youth Network office at Box 26100, 25 Frederick Street, Kitchener, Ontario. N2H 6T4 . CHEQUES SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO ‘GLOBAL YOUTH NETWORK’. GLOBAL YOUTH NETWORK is Registered Charity # 852077163RR0001 PLEASE NOTE DO NOT WRITE MY NAME ANYWHERE ON THE CHEQUE, just include my name (Nataleah Hunter-Young) on the donor slip and send it with your cheque. Please also note they are unable to accept post-dated cheques. You can also make your donation online through their website www.globalyouthnetwork.ca by clicking on the “Donate Now” icon. If making a donation online, please include your name and address. Tax receipts are available for all gifts of $15.00 or more. Any support you are able to offer will be greatly appreciated. Please do what you can …and thank you. Nataleah.

BACKGROUND:Burkina Faso (pronounced /bɚˌkiːnə ˈfɑːsoʊ/ burr-KEE-nə FAH-soh), also known by its short-form name Burkina, is a landlocked nation in West Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the south east, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the south west. Its size is 274,000 km² with an estimated population of more than 13,200,000. Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, it was renamed on August 4, 1984, by President Thomas Sankara to mean "the land of upright people" in Moré and Dioula, the major native languages of the country. Literally, "Burkina" may be translated, "men of integrity," from the Moré language, and "Faso" means "father's house" in Dioula. The inhabitants of Burkina Faso are known as Burkinabè (pronounced /bɚˈkiːnəbeɪ/ burr-KEE-nə-bay).
Burkina Faso's capital is Ouagadougou. After gaining independence from France in 1960, the country underwent many governmental changes until arriving at its current form, a semi-presidential republic. The president is Blaise Compaoré