Watch the video below where I explain everything: who I am, what’s happening, where I’m going, what I’m doing, and how you can help.

Yes, you read that right. I am traveling to Africa. It’s not permanent (only three months) and it’s not anytime soon (it’ll be in fall of 2027). But still: I’m traveling to Africa.

So what’s happening?

From August 23rd to November 18th 0f 2027, I will be traveling across the country to South Africa where I’ll be living for three months, serving small, local communities.

I will be staying with two host families and then in a hostel with other team members in the communities. Throughout the trip, I’ll be working with youth doing VBS-style lessons, helping with homework, playing games, and serving the elderly, delivering food, and more.

Who am I going with?

I signed up with the program ExperienceMission with their IMMERSION trips for young adults. I personally do not know anyone on the trip, but that’s also part of why I’m going (which I’ll get more into in a moment): I want to meet new people who I’ll be working with and temporarily living with. There will be around eight other young adults from 18-20 years old who will be on the trip with me, and I’ll be staying with two host families and then in a hostel.

Why am I going?

To start this journey off, a few months ago I was looking at post-graduation plans and I joined the email lists of several mission trip and gap year programs in the hopes of doing one after I graduate.

On September 26th, I got an email from IMMERSION and suddenly decided: I want to do this. I scheduled an informational call for that Monday, and after that I applied for the program and scheduled an interview for that Thursday. The interview went really well, and one week later, I received an acceptance email.

Then I set up my profile, my fundraising page, and am now on my journey to raise $7,300 for my trip to South Africa.

As for the specific reason why I’m going:

I want to challenge myself and see the Church as a whole outside of the U.S., and traveling and seeing the world with a specific mission is just what I’ve been looking for. A chance to do new things and meet new people and see the Lord in different cultures, regions, and traditions sounds like something that will shape my faith and grow it in a way that the Western church never could.

How can you help?

In the next ten months, I will be fundraising for my trip, selling some of my things to get money, working full-time while balancing school, and then trying to bring in writing more.

Because I am a young teen who is still in high school, I do need help. And so, that’s where I come to you.

If you feel so inclined or are looking to be generous with your money, I would be so grateful if you donated to my trip.

IMMERSION has this helpful fundraising setup called “Adopt-A-Seat” where, depending on which numbered seat you choose, you donate that amount of money. The amount of seats and their prices add up to the total amount that will help send me to Africa.

Please feel free to share this page with anyone who you think might be interested in supporting a group of young adults serving in South Africa.

If money is not possible right now, there are no worries—but something I truly need the most is prayer. Prayers for my safety, that I can raise money in time, for training to go well, for a good trip, for the team and people I’m with, and for the people we’re serving: these are all prayer requests that I need and would be so grateful for.

donate to my South Africa trip

What do donations cover?

The amount of money I need to raise covers flights, transportation in the country of South Africa, food, housing, and pretty much everything else—it might seem like a ton of money (and it is certainly a lot) but it covers all my living expenses for three months.

Thanks for reading!

Thank you so much for your prayers, donations, and for taking the time to read this!
~Willow