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KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
After work, Rebecca Anderson returned home to find a somewhat unwanted surprise waiting for her in the form of a piece of paper.

Rankin Inlet youth Rebecca Anderson will be travelling to Tanzania in August. After two months in the country she will fly to Ontario to stay on Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. -Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo

Her mother had retrieved a Canada World Youth (CWY) application form for her and told her to fill it out.

Like any teenager Anderson was reluctant to listen.

"I was a little upset at first that she was telling me what to do," Anderson recounted.

"But once I got to meet everybody I wasn't very upset anymore."

The 19-year-old from Rankin Inlet travelled to Nicaragua for six weeks with CWY starting in February.

She enjoyed the trip so much that she decided (on her own volition this time) to apply again.

The youth was chosen to go on a four-month trip to Tanzania and Ontario where she will be placed with a host family on the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. It is home to the Anishinaabek people.

This will be the first time Anderson has ever been to Africa or lived on an reserve before.

She said she isn't sure exactly sure what to expect from either place.

"I know (in Tanzania) we'll be on the east coast and we'll be there right at the beginning of their rainy season," she said, adding she wants to go on a safari.

"I look forward to seeing what work we'll be doing and just what it will be like to live in a country like that."

The teen has already picked up a few books on Swahili and is hoping to learn some of the language.

Anderson also hopes to gain knowledge about the different cultures, such as she did on the other trip.

"We went and visited a few of the indigenous people in Nicaragua and they talked about what it was like being aboriginal in their country," she said.

"They kind of experienced all the same things. They were invaded by the Spanish and they were just always treated badly."

In order to travel, Anderson needs to fundraise $3,200. So far she has brought in $2,200 by having a house sale and a bake sale.

She has also received donations from residents in Rankin Inlet.

To raise the rest of the money, Anderson is considering having another bake sale. She is hoping for more contributions as well.

With her departure date inching closer, Anderson said, she is getting excited about leaving.

Anderson's mother, on the other hand, is less than enthusiastic about her daughter departing for Africa.

"She doesn't want me to go," the youth said about her mom. "She's pretty nervous."

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