Our generation is poised in a unique position to tackle some of the greatest challenges of our time through direct action. Yet the talents of many of our most highly motivated future leaders are unable to reach African non-profit and non-governmental organizations due to a host of barriers. Businesses exist to place volunteers in some of these organizations, but they are prohibitively expensive for most students, and many are insensitive to the needs of the communities they work within. SPAN is a non-profit run by students and community leaders in East Africa, dedicated to providing the tools necessary to break through these barriers. Our internet-enabled campaign is built on the belief that action comes through empowerment; and empowerment through awareness and the opportunity to put this knowledge to work solving real world problems. We have partnered with a host of reputable non-profits and NGO’s in Africa working on health, education, and environmental issues within their communities that potential volunteers can connect with free of charge. Or if they desire more support while in East Africa, volunteers take advantage of the inexpensive registration and placement services SPAN offers. Before SPAN most of our partner organizations had no way of connecting with international volunteers, now the power is in their hands to find and choose who will work alongside them in their grassroots missions. Part of our work in East Africa even involves teaching staff within the organizations how to use internet resources to find funding and connect with people from around the world. SPAN is also working to be a comprehensive website for student volunteering in East Africa; providing pertinent information and links to current news, visa guidelines, finding flights, regional histories, and travel warnings. Previous, current, and future volunteers of all ages and nationalities can coordinate their efforts by forming coalitions for projects and sharing advice and experiences through forums, listserves, and other social network interfaces.Through monetary and frequent flier mile donations, this year we hope to give volunteers the opportunity to apply for scholarship packages based on their project proposals to defray living and travel costs. In SPAN's first 1.5 years of existence, we have sent over 50 volunteers to East Africa to work in 30 different organizations.These opportunities can and should be affordable and personal enough that they are possible for greater numbers of student volunteers, and better serve the communities the volunteers work in. SPAN aims to assist our generation in not only acquiring the knowledge, but the real life ability to understand and attack the most pressing issues in Africa.
