We are on a journey to learn more about the lands our ancestors and the history of the South African culture. We are excited to see the wildlife, the awesome landscapes, museums and much more. We are most excited to meet our South African friends, students our age that we have come to know “virtually” over the last year.

“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” – Nelson Mandela

Greetings Everyone!

We are Kai, Elaina, and Maya. We live in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area and are U.S. student Ambassadors of a youth organization called, I Am, We Are (IAWA). IAWA is a U.S. headquartered intercultural youth empowerment nonprofit, with a South African registered affiliate nonprofit.

IAWA’s vision is a world where all youth are socially engaged, globally aware, and economically free, creating a Pan African community that supports youth of African descent in achieving their dreams, empowering the mindset, and teaching skills necessary to become self- sufficient adults. IAWA brings together African youth to recognize their commonalities and see beyond their differences. In doing so, youth gain global and historical context for the challenges they face on a personal, familial, and communal level. Furthermore, they learn they are not alone.  

This is a three-year program, and over the past year, we’ve had the honor of virtually collaborating, working with, and getting to know the South African students in the IAWA program. We are now on a mission to go to South Africa in the summer 2023 to meet our friends in person. The IAWA U.S. youth and South African youth will travel around together learning each other’s lives. Of course, we will get to see their lives up close and personal. Maybe someday they will also come to visit us. We will visit museums, historical sites, do philanthropy work, attend a career conference, and visit universities.

For our trip to South Africa to happen, we will need to raise $15,000 by May 1, 2023. This will cover our flights, lodging, meals, daily transportation, and fees for site-seeing. Any amount over our needs will go to a charity in South Africa. We appreciate any amount you can give to help us reach our goal. Thank you in advance.

“I want to go to South Africa to learn about the culture and to see the wildlife” – Kai

“I want to go to South Africa gain a new perspective of the world before I go off to college in 2023” – Elaina

“I want to go to South Africa so I can experience a new culture” – Maya