Prehaps I should introduce myself. My name is Barb, and I am a masters student at American University and this summer I am working with the Kosova Women’s Network in Pristina. For more information on me you can look at the bios on the Advocacy Project website.

Training has started this weekend. Meeting the other interns is pretty overwhelming. They are all talented, bright, driven and passionate individuals. I feel lucky just to be counted among them. In the couple of days of training I have already picked up great tips on advocating for KWN in the US while I am there. Obviously, this blog is the first of these initiatives. Learn something new everyday right?

I am excited and nervous about my departure. It feels like everything is up in the air and I have not good plans — and yet, I m leaving in 2 weeks! Everything will work out I suppose. It always does, because it has to…I have plane tickets!

So after my fundraising rush (I raised over $3,500. Thank you to all the lovely people who sponsored me!) Now I am concentrating on my advocacy. I ll be contacting Centenary and American, for the college connection; The Shreveport Times, because the Washington Post will never carry my story; and any place that will host my blog. I ll keep you (and hopefully some well connected and concerned philanthropists) updated through this while I m in Kosova.

I also ask that if you can think of anyone who would want to read this — pass it on. I ll advocate for KWN and hopefully you will advocate for me. I can’t properly explain how much gratitude I have for all of my sponsors, friends and family, the Advocacy Project and the Kosova Women’s Network for giving me the opportunity to learn and work with such wonderful people.