She finds hope in the midst of nothing

By Emily Campbell
Examiner Staff Writer 12/25/08

Dinnis goofing around with some of the children at the Asha Missions Children’s Home in Delhi, India, last year. -Courtesy photoLast year, 22-year-old Diana Dinnis just had to get away.

“I felt so overwhelmed by everything I had as an American,” said the Howard County resident. “I needed to go and see what’s out there. I needed a different perspective.”

To donate to The World Race

»  Visit http://didinnis.theworldrace.org to make a donation for Diana’s trip, or to donate directly to Adventures in Missions.

 

She decided to spend Christmas in India, throwing holiday parties at orphanages. “It really opened my eyes to how lucky I am to be American and have everything I need. It changed my whole mindset.”

While in India, Dinnis, a Towson University graduate, found out about The World Race, a program of Adventures in Missions, an organization that focuses on helping the poor throughout the world. During the World Race, Dinnis will join a squad of 52 other people spending 11 months in 11 countries, spreading humanity and love to the poor, desperate and hurting. Dinnis will be doing anything from working with children with AIDS in Swaziland to comforting sex trade victims in Thailand.

“I’ll get to do a lot of different things, and get my feet wet in different areas, find out where my heart is,” Dinnis said. “I know I have a passion to help people around the world, I just don’t know what country I’m drawn to yet.”

When she told her parents, they were shocked, Dinnis said, but eventually supported her decision.

“Diana has a very good heart,” said Connie Dinnis, her mother. “She’s this teeny weeny person with a wonderful heart and such a zest for life. I think this will be her work for life. She’s a special little girl. I’m extremely proud of her.”

Dinnis plans to use her degree in journalism and film to produce mini-documentaries about her experiences in every country to raise awareness. “I just think it’s really important for us to be aware of what’s going on around the world. My goal is to be an advocate for poverty in third-world countries.”

In order to take her trip, Dinnis has to raise at least $16,000, or $1,454 a month, for expenses. She has already raised about $8,000 but is currently seeking donations.

Although lack of funds isn’t likely to stop Dinnis. “After being in India, and seeing kids who have nothing find hope in the midst of their poverty, I decided I need to go back to help bring hope to the hopeless around the world.”

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