Sabrina Johnson '03: Making a difference in Tanzania

In 2002, Sabrina Johnson ‘03 was a junior in Mr. Janezic’s religion class. Like most high schoolers, being social was par for the course, even during class.  

“I was seated up front for talking too much during class!” she says while laughing. Her new seating arrangement served its purpose; Sabrina did pay attention in more ways than one. “The new location of my seat gave me the opportunity to pay very close attention to the docuseries ‘Field Afar,’ an educational program that highlighted several countries and discussed the culture, social ills and injustices happening across the world.”

Sabrina vividly remembers the impact watching these videos had on her. “I sat forward in my seat and I watched. I listened. I felt.” The stories shared in Field Afar remained with her. Little did she know, the chance of a lifetime would present itself: the opportunity to take part in a cultural immersion trip to El Salvador, San Salvador, with VASJ’s Campus Ministry department. Sabrina jumped at the chance to experience a world so far away yet so close to her heart. 

While in El Salvador, Sabrina recalls seeing first-hand the poor living conditions, poverty, hunger, and impact of civil war and gang violence. She also paid close attention to the individuals she calls “change agents” -- those fighting against atrocities and hardships to improve the lives of Salvadorians. The cultural immersion trip never left Sabrina.

“El Salvador really opened my eyes and served as one of the very important catalysts in my desire to work with marginalized populations,” she says. 

As the years went on, Sabrina knew that one day she wanted to work abroad. 

“I consider myself a global citizen. I have a responsibility to foster positive change so that the collective has access to its basic social and economic rights,” she says. “Not everyone can help in the same way, but I believe each and every effort makes a difference whether it be on a micro or macro scale.”

Taking this realization to heart, Sabrina began reading online forums, threads and websites that discussed how individuals like herself could become part of the global community. One day, after reading through the comments on a YouTube video, she noticed that someone suggested the Peace Corps as an option for those looking to make a difference abroad. Sabrina began to research joining the Peace Corps over several months. But then life happened. 

“My great-aunt passed away; she was like my grandmother. My mother suffered a stroke,” she says. These events prompted Sabrina to set aside her own goals to focus on family. 

Once confident in her mother’s recovery, she found herself ready to be the global citizen she knew she was destined to be. She talked to her mother, who urged her to follow her heart. “She was as supportive of me at 32 as she was when I was 16,” said Sabrina while thinking back to her journey to El Salvador. While the encouragement from her mother helped Sabrina to move toward taking a big step, nerves still plagued her. She knew she had to turn to a higher power. “I was so nervous, but I asked God for further direction and clarity.” Sabrina finally had the guidance she needed and began the application process for the Peace Corps.

The application process for the Peace Corps is lengthy, taking about a year to complete. As part of the process, prospective volunteers are able to name three possible countries in which they would like to serve or allow the organization to decide on placement based on need. Sabrina chose the latter and was appointed to fulfill 27 months in Mang’oto, Tanzania, with the Peace Corps. Though the choice of where she would end up was out of her hands, some might say there was simply no coincidence that she was placed in Tanzania. 

A year before her journey, Sabrina felt drawn to Tanzania. She researched the political climate, culture, social injustices, cuisine and even what Tanzanians did for fun. Reflecting on her placement, she says, “I truly believe that in the time leading up to the submission of my application, I had been led to learn more about Tanzania because this is where I was meant to serve.”

In February 2019, Sabrina left the cold winter of Northeast Ohio and made her way to Africa, first landing in South Africa. From there, another flight took her to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Sabrina was surprised at the amount of people and traffic she saw, feeling a bit of sensory overload. Even so, she had made it. “I just remember being grateful to have made it safely and prayed to make it a successful service for the people of Tanzania.” Sabrina was home.

Before joining the Peace Corps, Sabrina worked extensively with community organizations such as the Cleveland NAACP, Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center, Early Head Start Program, supervised a team of case managers for Garfield Collaborative and others. She worked to facilitate programs for vulnerable populations, including those who faced homelessness, domestic violence and substance abuse. Sabrina says she loved the people she helped and receives messages from many of them even today, “ My former clients often write me via Facebook to encourage me and tell me about how their life has turned around for the better.” Her background in and compassion for helping those within her local community translated seamlessly to the needs of those she serves in Tanzania. 

Sabrina works as a health sector volunteer, primarily serving individuals living with HIV. She provides education to adults and children on how to prevent disease as well as the importance of balanced meals, getting necessary checkups, reducing stress and handwashing. She also writes grants to bring in much-needed financial aid to further her efforts. Health care and education are an absolute necessity for the village. “Many of the people here have no working knowledge of how to prevent diseases,” Sabrina says. For some common ailments, teaching proper handwashing with soap makes all the difference in preventing the spread of illness.

Even with education, many people in Tanzania face ongoing medical concerns. Many children experience malnutrition from improper diets, upper respiratory infections and pneumonia, and gastrointestinal issues from unsafe food and lack of handwashing. HIV/AIDS is prevalent. Some invididuals living with HIV experience discrimination, losing their employment or homes because of their diagnosis. For many, the loss of income results in the inability to access nutritious foods that are especially important for those taking medications to control their HIV. Frequently, women experience sexualy transmitted diseases, along with urinary tract and bacterial infections due to the limited availability of feminine hygiene products. However, education is helping to modify behaviors that lead to these preventable illnesses.

Much like her journey to El Salvador as a student at VASJ, Sabrina has immersed herself in the culture and traditions of Tanzania. “One of the first things I did once I arrived was conduct home visits,” she explains. This strategy allowed her to introduce herself and get to know her new community. She noticed quickly just how cherished relationships are in Tanzania. Despite limited resources, the people are exceedingly thoughtful and generous. Sabrina mentions the numerous “just because” gifts of homemade food, fresh vegetables, handmade crafts and books. “It is a feeling of community and unity here. ‘Tupo Pamoja’ (‘we are together’) is not just a saying; it is truly a way of living.”

The idea of togetherness is especially demonstrated when a member of the village passes away. The entire village attends the funeral ceremony and later comes together in support and celebration, sharing in feast and fellowship. The love, genuine care for others and selflessness of her new neighbors has helped Sabrina further come into her own. “The people of Tanzania are truly impacting my growth as well; there is something for all of us to learn from one another,” she says.

The warmth and care for one another in Tanzania helps Sabrina to feel connected to her new home while thousands of miles from loved ones in the States. To further help combat homesickness, Sabrina uses social media to share photos and stories of her experience as well as text messaging apps and voice messaging to check in. The many photos and videos saved on her phone help during times when it’s especially difficult to be so far away. Even on her worst days, Sabrina keeps the purpose of her journey afar close to her heart. She often pauses to redirect her sadness, “I take a second to ask God for help and remember my ‘why’ because I came here to fulfill a purpose.”

Sabrina’s journey shows how, at any time, we can be called to serve. Even as a talkative teenager in religion class, Sabrina heard her calling and took the opportunity that was presented to make a difference. Throughout her story, Sabrina emphasizes the importance of having a relationship with God and asking for guidance in order to do what is right. Her story is also one that highlights the unique opportunity that VASJ students have to grow in their faith and serve their community, even if that community is thousands of miles away from friends and family. 

When asked about her plans once her time ends in Tanzania, Sabrina says, “Will I return is the question. If it is the Lord’s will, I will become an expat and continue to work in Tanzania.”

For anyone who thinks they’ve missed their chance or may be nervous to take a big step, Sabrina has some advice: “It’s never too late to pursue a dream of yours. Talk to God about it, and then follow your dreams because they know the way.”