Tilly Grey has used her talents in various careers throughout her life, including teaching and reporting.

But she says something inside her changed when she turned 50. A year later, she quit her teaching job and started volunteering for Habitat for Humanity International’s headquarters in Americus, Georgia.

A few years later, at age 58, Tilly accepted an offer to move to Africa to be a news correspondent for the organization.

Now 68, she has released her first book about her adventures.

She talked to Growing Bolder about what drew her to Africa and what it’s like to work with President Jimmy Carter.