Oh life...

"...about the only thing you can't do is ignore them.

When I sit back and think about my earlier years, my current path and where I want to be, there are a few strands that remain constant. A few strands I would love to carry on in the future. Planning and participating in community service projects is an activity I really enjoy doing. Over the years, I have met the most amazing and inspiring individuals while being involved in these projects. When I went to South Africa, my class and I were able to take a day away from touring the country to repaint the Ginsberg Creche. It might not seem like much to paint the outside of a nursery building, however the locals were so grateful for our help because they didn't know how they would have been able to afford the paint and supplies to do it on their own. With the nursery serving the entire community's population of children, it was really important to our class to get to know some of the children and adults who spent their days there. That day was one of the best experiences I had over the span of the entire trip, mainly because of how genuine everyone was. While we were in South Africa, we also brought and handed out t-shirts, soccer balls and few other articles to a group of boys at a small town school. It was great to see how much they enjoyed the gifts, and it was an irreplaceable experience to hear them sing one of their school songs to us, as an expression of their gratitude. As you can tell, my experiences doing service projects over-seas have all be amazing!

 

Ginsberg Creche Before

Ginsberg Creche After

Because they change things.

Being involved in community service wherever I am located is an important part of my life. As long as I am able to give back to other in greater need, both locally and worldwide, I will do so. Most recently through this class I learned more about Habitat for Humanity and have been working on a project in Corning, New York. Building houses and sheds is something I would never have guessed I'd enjoy as much as I do. When I move back to Connecticut in the fall I hope to become more involved in the Habitat projects there. Back home, I also try to volunteer my available time by helping out in the local food bank when they are short on volunteers. However, more than anything my favorite activity to do at home is during the holidays. There are so many elderly who receive Meals on Wheels during the week, however that service does not run on holdiays, which leaves a lot of those recipients wondering how they are going to prepare a meal for themselves if they do not have family to rely on. One of my teachers in high school came up with a great idea years ago, which is to get a list of those individuals who receive those meals and are staying home for the holidays. My teacher then recruited high school students to donate their time, money and/or food to cook them wonderful meals the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas. At the end of these days, the students deliver the meals ot each person's house or apartment, allowing them to have a worry-free holiday with a few meals that only need to be warmed up to eat. Even though I am in college, myself and a few other students go back to our high school each year to help out preparing, packaging and delivering these meals because it is so rewarding and enjoyable to be a part of. What I have found is the endless good experiences I have had being involved around the community keeps me wanting to continue to give back. I hope those positive experiences never end!

 

They push the human race forward.

One of my biggest passions in life is to travel, and it is through my experiences on these trips that I have seen first hand the impact a little kindness, generosity and love for humanity can have on others. Since getting travel fever in the ninth grade, I have traveled to England, France, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Canada, Russia and South Africa. The most rewarding experience I have had abroad would be during my travels throughout South Africa. It was there that I realized how much of an impact generosity from outside factors has on their life. For many people living in that country, and in many of the surrounding nations, their situations require such dire help; outside support is truly the difference between life and death.

And while some people may see them as the crazy ones. I see genius."

When I think about all the free time people around the world have to be helping others in the world, rather than wasting the minutes of their days away, I wonder how we can encourage understanding so more people will help one another. It's important to know that help is needed and can be provided on a daily basis, without any financial investment and with minimal time occupation.