It Takes A Whole Village To Raise A Child

INA CHUKUA KIJIJI KIZIMA, KUM LEA M'TOTO

There is an old swahili saying- it takes a whole village to raise a child. In Tanzania, it truly does take a village to care for and raise a child. Whether it is a grandparent, a neighbor, a teacher, a friend, 4-h, or a undergraduate student from Nebraska, all play a role in the development of the youth of Tanzania. From my short six weeks in Tanzania, I can tell you that education is the most vital and most important resource that a child can receive and 4-H is an incredible program that offers education to youth of the country. The program helps provide the education that youth and young adults need to sustain themselves and their families. The life skills and work skills that these youth receive though 4-H gives them the tools to become successful. With the ability to become self-reliant, confident, hard-working, successful leaders, they can make a better life for themselves, their families, their village, and the world.

It takes the whole village to raise these children and through 4-H, I have been blessed with the opportunity to take part in raising the children through their education. The one thing I will never forget from this positive life-changing experience is the faces of the children that I had the privilege of working with. The look in their eyes and their beaming smiles are memories that I will always carry with me. While I hope the little time I had to spend with them will have a positive impact in their lives, I know that I am the lucky one who had the chance to learn from them. My only wish is that you all could witness the incredible skills and abilities that these children possess.

Through this journey, I have seen and taken part in the raising of children in Tanzania. But what this experience has given me is an appreciation for the members of the "village" who have helped raise me. From my family, friends, teachers, neighbors, to all of you reading this blog, in some way, you have helped me become who I am. By allowing me to share this experience with you, you have helped me grow in many ways that you cannot understand. I would not have had this experience to share with you if it was not for great people like Mary Crave, Jo Turner, the staff at the National 4-H Council, Nebraska 4-H, Rotary, IFYE, and Lincoln County 4-H.

It is impossible for me to sum up this life-changing experience for you, but know that without having you to share my journey with, I would not have been the young man I have become because of this experience.

Thank you,

Collin Shepherd