SOLON - A journal is one of the few personal items Lori Cardella hopes to cram into luggage filled with dozens of school and medical supplies as she prepares to join a humanitarian effort in Africa.

Going to Same, Tanzania, are, from left, Barb Kalm, Jeanne Erhart, Leslie Mowry, Therese Barenz and, back row, Doug Thompson, Cheryl Reyhons, Tracy Hufford, Linda Manary, Andrew Barenz and David Barenz. Not pictured are Tom Cardella, Lori Cardella, Jackie Steuter and Roxanne Clemens. Submitted to the Press-Citizen

Cardella, 40, and her niece, Jackie Steuter, 14, of West Point, Neb., will join other Solon residents for a two-week trip to Tanzania. The group leaves Monday as part of "Solon's Africa Connection" to help with everyday life for people in Same (pronounced SAH-may) village. The 20-hour journey - 18 by plane and two by Land Rover - will take them to the village, which is about 65 miles from Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.

The cost for the mission is estimated at about $2,200 a person.

"My reason for going is probably as much for personal growth as well as cultural understanding and to see how small the world really is," said Cardella, a former nurse at University Hospitals. "By reaching out to others and being open to their way of life, we make the world smaller."

For information • To find out more about the humanitarian mission, visit www.solontoafrica.org.

Residents were inspired to make the journey to Tanzania after the Rev. Mansuetus Setonga, a native of Tanzania and a University of Iowa graduate, visited Solon in November, group member Tracy Hufford said.

Setonga, who is director of development for the Same Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, spoke to residents about the need for humanitarian aid while he was in Iowa doing graduate work. Solon native Sarah Mahoney also inspired residents with her experience working in the village.

The goal of the 2004 mission is to raise awareness about the plight facing Tanzanians, said Hufford, 44.

"My goal is really just to show that others care for these people and if we can bring a little compassion and hope, I guess," Hufford said. "We aren't going to change the world in the two weeks there, but if we can bring a little help, then we can share a little with them."

Tanzania is an agricultural country with a population of 30 million people. About 8 percent of the population has AIDS. Life expectancy is 45 years, and a little more than 10 percent of babies don't survive.

Three major fund-raising events collected more than $10,000 in donations, medical supplies and school supplies, Hufford said. In addition, group member Dave Barenz was able to collect six laptop computers from Rockwell Collins and community members. The laptops have been loaded with educational software for the children to use in school, Hufford said.