Sam Redett. If you don’t know her, you should get to know her because she is one interesting and fun gal. Her home is right here in sunny St. Petersburg, just a short drive from USFSP. When she first came to tour the school, she was instantly impressed with how kind and inviting the USFSP students and staff were. She loves the great sense of community that the campus has. “You can’t beat the beautiful scenery either,” says Sam. Arts and crafts are her jam and she is always down for an adventure with friends and family.
There is one adventure in particular that she claims to have changed her perception of life in a whole new light, and that was her trip to Africa.
Photo Courtesy of Sam Redett
This trip was initiated by her best friend who adopted two children from Ethiopia a few years back. Every year, they spend some time giving back to the community and decided to bring Sam along for the journey, “It’s an opportunity I couldn’t resist passing up,” she says. Her journey began in Ethiopia, where she would soon after travel to every corner of the country visiting both rural and suburban villages. This trip consisted of playing with children at the foster homes, feeding the malnourished babies at a daycare, providing clothing to the eight-year-old children attending an academy, and much more. Her favorite memory was painting with the brave boys residing at the safehouse. Painting was unfamiliar to them but they were so happy to partake in it and “seeing that lightbulb go off when children see and learn new things is something I simply adore,” says Sam.
Photo Courtesy of Sam Redett
Sam was amazed by how happy these kids were with so little belongings and resources to call their own. Seeing this gave her a whole new appreciation for life. It opened her eyes and showed her how all these “problems” we think we have now are nothing compared to what these families in Africa are going through. This trip is a constant reminder for her to be grateful for all that she has been given in life.
Photo Courtesy of Sam Redett
After being a part of this amazing experience, it sparked interest in Sam to look into joining the Peace Corp right after college. She wants to make her mark and she cannot wait to pay it forward in the future.
“Travel to Africa, serve for others, and I promise your heart will never feel so full.” – Sam Redett
HCXOXO,
Shayla Fajardo