Young Africa

I first became acquainted with Young Africa while serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mozambique. Living in Beira — the second largest city in the country, I met an Irish man named Joe who volunteered as plumber for the organization. One day, he invited us to tour the campus, a modest but well-kept collection of classrooms, administration buildings, volunteer accommodations, a small nursery, and restaurant. I was extremely impressed by both the grounds and mission of Young Africa — to equip underprivileged youth with technical skills and knowledge in order to promote sustainability and reverse the cycle of poverty that plagues Mozambique. 

Three years later as Emma and I were researching summer internship opportunities, I remembered Young Africa and my positive impressions of the program. We exchanged several successful emails with the in-country director, interviewed via Skype, and eventually secured positions as full-time interns. Anxious to show Emma the place that had such a lasting influence on my life, we prepared to leave our comfortable island home in April.