Originally published November, 2011 – By Angela Ciroalo
Have you ever thought about traveling the world? What about leaving your friends and family behind to help citizens in Africa?
Mary Jane Gallo, a teacher at Holy Cross in Rumson, did just that.
Gallo has taught at Holy Cross for the past 10 years. When she was younger she joined the Peace Corps and committed to go to Kingston, Jamaica, on a mission.
But at the last minute she cancelled her trip and continued her life, got married and had children.
Throughout her life she had her dream of traveling past the American borders and serving a purpose, but never knew what she could do or where she would go.
While at Holy Cross the school was introduced to the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB).
At a CMMB presentation Holy Cross was involved with, Gallo became interested in the program.
Teacher goes to Africa
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She met a woman named Amber who was a physical therapist in Peru. Gallo and her class at Holy Cross kept in contact with Amber, emailing back and forth creating a bond.
Amber mentioned that the children she cared for in Peru had very little clothes and were in search of a sense of community. She asked if Gallo could raise money to assist her in attaining uniforms for the children.
The class quickly set up fundraisers and were fortunate enough to raise $3,000. In contributing to such an amazing experience Gallo realized the vision in the CMMB and found her second chance.
She said helping Amber and the CMMB provided her with such a rewarding experience that she decided to be a part of the program herself.
“The vision of the CMMB program is remarkable and I am blessed to be a part of it,” Gallo said.
Traveling across the world to help students will not only energize her life but experience will create a new approach to her teaching upon her return home.
Gallo seized the opportunity in joining the CMMB. She began her application process saying it is a difficult program to actually be accepted into. “I don’t know how I slipped under the radar,” Gallo said.
The CMMB program’s main goal is to develop a world where health care is available to everyone. The program began in 1912, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.
CMMB sends out volunteers around the world, distributing medical supplies, sending out medical professionals, and creating healthcare programs.
The World Health Organization provided a release that there is a shortage of 4 million health care workers. In Africa alone the shortage is 1.5 million.
Gallo took five months out of her life and will be going to Mwanza, Tanzania to aid the people of Tanzania at the St. Francis of Assisi school. She said she is open to changes in any way possible.
She didn’t know who she would be dealing with when she arrived.
“She [Gallo] had the only information I do know, which is not a lot. I was told that I will be teaching English to the future leaders of Tanzania in the secondary grades.”
She wasn’t even told much about where she would be staying. Mary Jane was told that she was going to have her own room and her own bathroom – which is very big deal in Africa.
She is beginning her journey overwhelmed and excited to experience all that Tanzania has to offer, with hopes of bringing back all of the values she attains over the months and share them with her family and community.
Gallo left Tuesday, October 12.
Her first flight was from Newark to London where she stayed overnight, then a second plane flew to Tanzania. On Friday, the final flight to Mwanza left, and she arrived Friday, October 14th.