INT. DAISY'S ROOM-DAY

Daisy frantically searches around her room.

Daisy was born and raised in Beverly Hills. Her life was what every girl would dream of. She got whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. (V.O.)

DAISY
(yelling from upstairs)
Mom, where is my new dress? I need to try it on!

MOM
(yelling back)
Daisy, why are you looking for that?

DAISY
I want to wear it for my 18th birthday party. I need to try it on!

MOM
(trying to change the subject)
Uhh..why don't you come help me unload the groceries?

DAISY
Whatever, mom.

Daisy walks downstairs and begins unloading groceries.

MOM
Daisy, when your dad comes home, we need to talk about your birthday plans.

DAISY
Okay! I'm so excited. I already started the invite list.

MOM
Well, it might be a little different than you're expecting.

DAISY
Okay...whatever you say, mom.

INT. KITCHEN-DAY

Mom is putting away the groceries when Daisy's dad comes home.

DAD
(walks inside and kisses his wife)
Hey sweetie!

MOM
Hey honey. How was your day?

DAD
It was alright, but I'm exhausted. I think I'm gonna take a nap.

MOM
(speaking in a low voice)
Should we talk with Daisy first or wait till later?

DAD
Let's get it over with now.

(calling out)

Daisy! Come downstairs, please!

Daisy walks down the stairs and her and her parents go into the den. They take a seat on the couch.

MOM
Daisy, your father and I have thought long and hard about this. We feel like you've been going down a bad path for quite some time now.

DAISY
(interrupting)
What are you talking about?!

DAD
We know we've always given you what you wanted. But things need to change. We know you've been excited about planning your birthday party.

DAISY
Yes I am! Don't tell me I can't have it! I've already told my close friends!

MOM
Honey, you're not having a birthday party. We found a program that helps teens like you and we know it'd be great for you. So, in two weeks, you and other girls your age will be going on a journey to Malawi, Africa.

DAISY
Are you crazy?! I'm not going ANYWHERE! I'm having my party with my friends and you can't do anything about that!

Daisy storms out of the room, goes upstairs, and slams her door.

(Flash on screen) Two weeks later.

INT. DAISY'S ROOM-DAY

Daisy is in her room finishing up packing and preparing to leave.

MOM
(walks in)
Are you almost ready?

DAISY
Please just don't talk to me.

MOM
I know you don't want to do this. But trust me, it's going to be a great experience.

DAISY
I'm being sent to a foreign country with a bunch of people that I don't know. How am I supposed be happy about that?! I don't know why you couldn't just let me celebrate my birthday like every other teenager would do.



MOM
It's a learning experience and something you need to go through. Just go in with an open mind. I know you'll gain so much from it.

INT. PLANE-NIGHT.

Daisy is writing in her journal.

DAISY
(V.O.)
Dear Diary, where do I begin? A few weeks ago I was planning my eighteenth birthday party. I was so excited and I knew it would be so fun. Now, I'm on a plane on my way to Africa. My parents are sending me away. They say I am spoiled. They say this will change me. Well they're wrong. If anything, this will just make everything worse. I don't know what I did to deserve this. Well, until next time. Daisy.

EXT. AFRICA-DAY.

Daisy and the other teens in the program have retrieved their bags and are waiting outside to be instructed.

RHONDA
Welcome girls! I am Mrs. Rhonda. I will be your counselor for the next few weeks. First we're going to drop off our luggage and then I'll introduce you to some of the people here! If you need anything, come to me. I'm excited for what these next few weeks have in store for us!

INT. SHED-DAY.

The group of girls to into a local's home to meet them.

RHONDA
Girls, these are the Balewa's. They live here with their four children. Today, take your time to get to know them and a little bit about their lifestyle and culture.

ZARA
(walks up to Daisy)
Hello! My name is Zara. I'm one of the four Balewa children.

DAISY
Hi. I'm Daisy.

Daisy scans the room, taking everything in.

DAISY
(V.O.)
How do these people live like this? This place is tiny. It smells horrible. Everything is dirty. Why did my parents send me here?

ZARA
Are you alright?

DAISY
(rolling her eyes)
I'm fine.

ZARA
Well I'm excited to spend time with you!

DAISY
(whispering under her breath)
I'm excited to get out of here.

INT. CAMP-DAY

(Flash on screen) One week later.

DAISY (V.O.)
(writing in her journal)
Dear Diary. It's been one week since I've been in Africa. It's a whole different world here. Everything is opposite from where I live. Back at home I had everything. Shoes. Clothes. Jewelry. A huge house. Here, they have pretty much nothing. They live in tiny huts. They wear rags for clothes. But they are still so happy. I don't understand it. I met a girl named Zara. She's sweet. I still don't want to be here and don't know why my parents sent me away. Daisy.

ZARA
(running in)
Daisy! Come quick!

DAISY
(closing journal and getting up)
What's wrong?!

ZARA
Little Amina is very ill. We need to help her!

DAISY
Well what happened to her?

ZARA
She has a virus. It's getting worse by the hour. Her body is too tiny to handle it.

Zara and Daisy run out to see Amina.

ZARA
How's she doing?

MOTHER
Not so good. She's dehydrated but we used all our water for the day. She can't wait till tomorrow, she needs water now.

DAISY
Well can't we get more?

MOTHER
It's not that easy. You'd have to travel up the hill to the well to get it. And there's no guarantee that there will even be any left for today.

ZARA
We'll go.

DAISY
We will?

ZARA
Yes. We'll go and bring back water for Amina. She'll be okay.

EXT. TOP OF HILL-DAY

Zara and Daisy are breathing heavily and sweating as they reach the top of the hill.

ZARA
We finally made it.

DAISY
(wiping sweat from her forehead)
You know it's crazy how different our lives are.

ZARA
How so?

DAISY
We just had to climb in the blazing heat for forty-five minutes to try to get some water. If I wanted water at home, I would go to the fridge and get some. If there were none in the fridge, I would turn on a sink and fill my cup from there.

ZARA
Sounds nice. Things don't work like that around here. Let's get this back to Amina.

INT. HUT-DAY
ZARA
(runs in)
Here mother. We were able to get some water.

MOTHER
Oh bless you two! This will help Amina substantially.

Flash on screen (Two weeks later)

EXT. CAMP-DAY

Daisy is walking towards Zara's home.

ZARA
(shouting from afar)
Hey Daisy!

DAISY
(smiling)
Zara!

ZARA
(pulling out a piece of paper)
I have something to give you.

(handing it to Daisy)
Open it!

Daisy opens the paper to find a flower (daisy) drawn on it.

ZARA
It's from Amina. She wanted to thank you for helping nurse her back to health. She's very grateful.

DAISY
(tears welling up in her eyes)
She's so sweet. I'd do anything for that little girl.

(V.O.) NARRATOR
And in that moment is when she realized it. This is what life is all about. It's not about what kind of clothes you wear or what car you drive. It's not about the possessions you own, but the people in your life and the moments you share with them.

DAISY
To be honest, I didn't want to come here, at all.

ZARA
(laughing)

DAISY
What?

ZARA
I could tell! But now you're glad you did, aren't you?

DAISY
(smiling)
So glad.

DAISY
I love you Zara! And your family too. I'm so glad I had the chance to meet you. You've taught me so much in such a short period of time. Thank you.

ZARA
No, thank you! You've been a great friend. I'll never forget you.

Zara and Daisy hug.

INT. CAMP-NIGHT

DAISY (V.O.)
(writing in journal)
Dear Diary. Today was my last day in Africa. I've been here for three weeks, and so much has changed since then. I came into this with a bitter attitude. I didn't want to take part in any of it. I was mad at my parents and had no idea why they even thought about sending me here. I thought they were crazy. Now, I finally understand it. The people here are so generous and genuine. They have so little but are the happiest people I've ever met. They makes sacrifices for each other and you can feel the love they have when you're with them. I became really close with my friend Zara and her little sister Amina. They're like family to me. I feel as if my worlds been flipped upside down, in a good way. My heart is filled with joy and I can't wait to get home and share my experience with my parents; whom I am so thankful for. Without them, this wouldn't have happened and I wouldn't have experienced the things that I did. I'll never forget this trip; the trip to Africa that changed my life. Until next time, Daisy.

(Fade out)