Teen Travel Blog

Wondering what your adventure might inspire you to do?  It’s a limitless as the world we live in.  One of our ARCC alumni really took to heart what he saw and has made amazing strides toward helping Tanzania after his adventure in Africa.  We congratulate Patrick Sheehan on all that he has done, and all that we know he will do.  Take a minute, read our Q&A with Patrick Sheehan, ARCC Alumni and founder of Cure Tanzania.  Then reflect on what drives you, what fuels your passion and see if there isn’t a little something you want to do to make our world better!

ARCC:  What about your ARCC adventure in 2009 inspired you to do something more?
PS: I think that my ARCC adventure in 2009 helped me understand that, even though I am young, I can already impact the lives of others. After our work in Tanzania (building the soccer field, and painting the schools), I saw a genuine sense of joy and happiness in both children and adults. My realization of the magnitude my impact had inspired me to do something more.

ARCC: Was there a particular moment or event which made you know that you had to become active?
PS: When we were visiting a community in the Meserani region, we learned that a group of college students in the UK had donated a fully equipped computer room. Then, when we saw the current medical clinic and learned about it’s importance, I knew that I could, and should, become active.

ARCC: Have you been able to use any of the contacts you made on the ARCC adventure as help for development of the project?
PS: The contacts I made on my ARCC adventure not only helped me, they were crucial in the development of Cure Tanzania. First of all, ARCC and Africa Expedition Support have been with me since the beginning giving me advice. Meserani Snake Park, the snake park and camping ground that is an essential part of the Meserani community, gave me the ability to help in the construction of a new medical clinic because they fund many projects in the area.

ARCC: What are you hopes/goals for Cure Tanzania?
PS: At this point, our goal is to raise 15,000 US dollars to build the medical clinic. But of course, Cure Tanzania hopes to raise more money because it costs about 1,500 US dollars a month for medicine, 100 US dollars for ONE vial of antivenin for snake bites (for example, a black mamba bite needs 9 vials), and Meserani Snake Park pays for all extra hospital bills. So, 15,000 US dollars is more of a base goal. We hope to raise a lot more money.

ARCC: Will you be able to travel to Tanzania again to work on getting the new medical clinic built?
PS: I truly hope that I can go to Tanzania and help getting the new medical clinic built.

ARCC: How can people donate?
PS: People can donate by visiting http://www.curetanzania.com/Donate.html

ARCC: How can people learn more about Cure Tanzania?
PS: I have created a website, http://www.curetanzania.com, that will show to potential supporters Cure Tanzania’s worthy cause. On it, we will also update on donation totals and, when the time comes, update on the construction of the medical clinic.

ARCC: What would you say to other ARCC students about how their adventure will change their world perspective?

PS: ARCC students have to realize that they are participating in trips that will, without a doubt, broaden their view of the world. Whether they are in Africa visiting a community in which the little kids had never seen foreigners, or in Belize, scuba diving in amazing waters, ARCC students are participating in something special.

What’s your inspiration?

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