Grad sets sights on South Africa

Geneieve MacKenzie has wanted to go to Africa since she was about 14 years old. She also wants to go into the medical field. She's combining her passions in a month-long trip to South Africa in June.

The 2012 Sisters High School graduate will travel through International Student Travelers (www.isvolunteers. org/destination/south-africa/4-week-program). The first two weeks is a community-development mission.

"I'm hoping for a hospital setting," MacKenzie said.

The second two weeks will be spent with a host family, touring South Africa.

"I've heard a lot of good things about the people, how gracious and welcoming they are," MacKenzie said.

MacKenzie is currently enrolled at Central Oregon Community College, working toward a pre-med program. She said her interest in medicine was sparked when her first nephew was born and she got in inside view of the workings of a hospital.

As for her interest in Africa, she says she's always been fascinated by the wildlife, the different cultures and the biodiversity to be found there.

"I always just wanted to go on a safari," she said.

MacKenzie is fundraising to meet the $3,700 cost of the program.

"I'm looking for sponsors and anybody who can donate," she said.

For more information, contact her at 541-815-4198.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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