<p>I will not pretend to know anything about your particular program. I am going to try for an answer to your question… sort of.</p>
<p>I am guessing you are at least 18 based upon how you set this up. If so, your parents really have little but advice to give about whether you go or not. Unless, of course, you are living off of their largess. If that is the case, then you need to wait until you are self-sufficient and then if you still want to go volunteer in Africa, enjoy. </p>
<p>From your parents’ perspective, you are their child. They have spent 18+ years protecting you from harm and doing what they could to keep you safe and prepare you for life. It is very hard for some parents (I would say most parents) to let their children spread their wings and fly. I don’t know their life situation either, but what if one of them could come along? </p>
<p>Ultimately, if it comes down to you truly needing to convince them to let you go, you are probably going to need to 1) put together data showing them how valuable the service really is 2) put together data showing them how safe it is. Be prepared that your research may or may not support your desire. If that is the case, you may want to consider other options.</p>
<p>Full disclosure: My godson did a college summer research thing in Africa. He survived. His was psych research on gorillas or something like that, so it does not equate.</p>