As she arrived at the airport and stepped out into snow for the first time, Annitah said: "It feels like a freezer out here!" One of two Tanzanian youths selected to participate in a new Youth Ambassador program, Annitah, 21, had left Africa for the first time to visit Canada.

Youth Empowered Events
At a series of six Youth Empowered events across the country, Annitah spoke about life in Tanzania and the challenges that young people like her had to overcome growing up.

Travelling to seven provinces and meeting over 700 Canadian youths in one month, Annitah felt overwhelmed at times. However, she found the experience very rewarding since "the young people I met were all so wonderful and so nice."

Global Connections
Building bridges between two different countries and cultures can be difficult and complex. Through the Youth Ambassador program, the opportunity is made possible for Canadian and Tanzanian youth to connect. Together they learn how important issues such as poverty, injustice and development affect and impact different parts of the world.

Along with learning more about how to address these issues, the program allows for a real connection between young people in Canada and some special youth, like Annitah, from Tanzania.

Final Thoughts
Before her flight home, Annitah was asked if she would like to visit Canada again. She replied, "It was such a wonderful experience, and I would love to come again someday…but…maybe in the summer next time?"

World Vision is very excited to complete Part II of this new program. Three young Canadian leaders will soon be selected as Youth Ambassadors for World Vision Canada to visit Tanzania this July.