I finally know what my life is meant for... how do I get started?? please help!?

Question

I am 16 years old and have pondered this question for a very long time... What am I going to do with my life?

Most of the questions on here are asked by people concerned with themselves which is a good thing, people need guidance but right now I need guidance so I can do something better

So I bet you are wondering what this purpose of my life is well here you go... I am saving up a bunch of money, going to Africa and bringing food, clothing, clean water, and a safe place to live. You may think this is rediculous and completely out of reach but I don't. I am completely ambitious and I have finally realized that if I don't do this I will never be happy. I have to make others happy before I can feel good about myself. I am also planning on doing some photo journalizm on the area to bring people to more awareness about the issue.

So the actual question is where do I start and what do I do?? I can't just march off the airplane to the closest villiage and start handing stuff out.

Answer 1

My best advice to you to start would be to find a college near you that offers summer classes, possibly a community college, and take up photography. Using a digital camera isn't going to be the best way to go as you need the ability to control every aspect of the picture (light, focus, etc..) and a healthy understanding of composition and the basics of the art to communicate through the medium. Once you have a basic grasp of that get out there and start taking pictures. It's a cliche but practice really does make perfect. You'll most likely be taking pictures of people so work on portraits, action shots, etc. Get your timing down and learn how to bring out the humanity in your subjects.

The Africa side of your plan is a bit more tricky...
I'd say do some research into the organizations that are accepting volunteers and figure out which you think is best suited to your specific goals. If you're in America maybe the Peace Corps, or possibly Red Cross. If you want to build shelter get some proficiency in carpentry, maybe apprentice with a local carpenter and learn the trade. Dress in traditional clothing for the area, white people are generally distrusted in most of the third world so try and make yourself as familiar and accessible to the locals as is possible, do the work they do, eat the food they do, don't judge and help as much as you can!

Answer 2

At some point, you're going to ask yourself why you think this is your purpose in life. Why is helping these people your purpose? As you say, It is to make yourself feel good about yourself, isn't it?

Seen from this objective of gaining good feelings for yourself, "helping others" becomes "using others" to get those good feelings. If you think about it as it is, the whole idea loses its nobility. You're just doing it for yourself.

You have to have a basis that is more than just gaining good feelings for yourself.

"Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” –Bertrand Russell

Answer 3

My daughter goes on a missions trip every year to the dominican republic doing all those things, through a local baptist church.... if you really want to look ahead, become a nurse, many of these Christian missions trips have medical clinics as well that are amazingly helpful... good luck

Answer 4

Look up some volunteering sites. Check out Peace Corps and stuff like that.

Answer 5

RESEARCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Utilize the internet to contact all the Embassy of the different African Countries.....
Be frank with them, and see which countries offer 'protection' for people wanting to "help".
Consider joining the Peace Corp. when you get out of school, they have programs in place, that are proven and accepted to help countries/people.
While with them, you might be able to visit multiple locations, and then decide where it is you want to spend your time, energy.

But...... there are impoverished towns, counties locations in the US too........