Just as Enrique arrives, there is tension between his mother and him. They begin to argue about how Enrique had developed bad habits such as drinking and staying out late as well as sniffing glue. These problems do not surprise me because he had been through alot on his intense journey all the way from Honduras. It hurt Lourdes to see her son do nothing but hurt himself and her family because the money he was spending on alcohol should have been sent back home to help pay for school. Enrique also put his mother down by constantly making her feel guilty for leaving and that she did not deserve to call herself his mother. Looking back at the relationship between them before she left, I thought that their relationship would have been stronger than ever after not seeing each other for years and that he would appreciate the fact that he found her unlike many of the other immigrants that search for years and are still unable to find their family members.…
In literature, a character’s journey is almost always characterized by a change in the status quo that presents a problem and the character’s reaction that presents a solution. However, that solution is not always successful as some characters choose to be proactive and take action while others hesitate. Compared to Young Ju and The Hunger Artist, Janie most successfully adjusts to different environments by placing a strong emphasis on individuality while she takes action.…
I am all for helping out those less fortunate than we are, especially children. In this case we were helping children facing adversities ("Littles"), get matched with adult volunteers ("Bigs"). This way they can foster strong, enduring and professionally supported relationships to change lives for the better. Sometimes all you need is a mentor to make your life a lot more…
Oxfam, the international charity that works to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice, states that “The obligation of States to respect, protect and fulfil the Right to Food as a fundamental human right requires the appropriate policy initiatives. As such, its legal recognition is a necessary –though insufficient - step in its fulfilment and provides the framework for justiciability.” I felt that the human Rights issue that was highlighted in the book Enrique’s Journey was the one of the right of access to adequate food. In the book, the mother Lourdes, leaves Honduras to make the trek to illegally work in the United States and earn money to send back to her family because “Lourdes can barely afford food for Enrique and his sister Belky.”.(p20). In Honduras the world food program runs an initiative where smallholders provide food for the school meals program, providing 1.4 million school children with a meal every day. However, many young children in…
The Kiwanis International Club held a survey where they asked when is it important to help out others? 75% of people believe in helping others when it will have an important impact on not only their lives but on other people's lives. When asked what type of community service makes the biggest difference, ⅔ answered hands on activities such as donating supplies, volunteering with a local service club, or participating in local community events have a bigger influence than just giving out money (Most Americans Believe One Can Can Change the World). Today, because of the sacrifices and achievements of many strong leaders, others now have their independence from countries, they have the right to vote, improved working conditions, or just an opportunity to be a better person. According to the survey on volunteerism done by the Kiwanis International Club, 86% of Americans believe one person can make a change (“Most Americans Believe One Can Change the World”). If this many people believe that humans are capable of making a change in the world, then the only thing stopping us from improving the world is us. As a quote by an anonymous person states “If you’re searching for that one person who will change your life...take a look in the mirror”; humans are the future of the world, and to live prosperous lives, we should be willing to help improve not only our living conditions, but to not be selfish and lend a helping hand to others in need as well. What the world is molded into is because of us, and as John F. Kennedy once said, “Making a positive difference in our own life or the lives of others, organizations, and the world at large starts with a healthy mind, body, and spirit, and a change of daily thoughts, communications, and actions of our own self…
My aunt doesn't just help her family she is also the children ministry director at Mason County Reformed Church. Every week she works really hard to make sure that every class has a great lesson to teach the kids about God. Even when you get to older and can't go to class you can go help out in the nursery's or you can help out with the K-5 area. All of the kids love her. All of us helpers love to try and help every week. We just had are grand opening of the new children's wing. They worked…
Later that year, my mom volunteered my dad to help out, by watching the children at Hughes Elementary School. After that, he started helping people, who are less mobile, out by shoveling their driveways and mowing their yards. He lectures me by always uttering, “Do anything for those who need help, so one day someone can return the favor.” In addition he started doing more things with the community to help the people who live in Marshall. Even though he cannot work, he is always looking for a way to help others become more successful.…
Countless times I wished to be face to face with the child or group I was indirectly supporting through monetary donations or through volunteer work and somehow provide them with more than just a temporary solution to their lifelong dilemma. I believe that the only true solution is to educate and provide them the means of which to construct a maintainable lifestyle without the constant support of others. In a perfect world, organizations such as American Red cross, Unicef, the Salvation Army, and every other organization that relies on donations would not exist and we’d simply live a life in which we primarily depend on ourselves. Simply because something seems unattainable or beyond our grasp doesn't mean we shouldn’t at least strive for it and that is exactly what my continued volunteer work will aim to do: work towards a perfect world. This idea reminds me of a commonly used expression by Norman Vincent Peal: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the…
Volunteering has driven me to becoming a better person. It has taught me essential life skills that will follow my footsteps for the rest of my life. I volunteer to give back to a community that has given me so much. The opportunities I have received throughout my life has given me motivation to be involved in my community. I am grateful for the help I received from others. I have always been challenged by members of my community to go above and beyond the expectations. Without the extra push, I would not be where I am today.…
I volunteer in my community whenever I get the opportunity. For example, I helped students get to school safely and I helped out around the school. I volunteered at the public library to help younger children. I now see it is hard work to get children focused and help them not make a big mess, but I enjoyed helping them in any way I can. Volunteering at the public library also taught me about patience. Not everything went exactly how I planned it out, but at the end it still worked out. My time at the library also taught me about effort.…
I am Brazilian with Korean heritage, born and raised in Sao Paulo. Although I had the resources for good education and health, I was never in peace knowing that others needed help or were in disadvantage. My emphatic nature has shown early on in my life. When I was eight years old, I started rescuing cats and dogs from the streets on my walk home from school. I felt responsible to protect them from accidents and other harms.…
My grandfather has and always will be my role model. I treasure many memories of him and I devoting our time to serving of our community. He led a local food pantry that required him to continually shop for food, then deliver it to his food pantry. About five years ago, together we made numerous Thanksgiving baskets. On Thanksgiving morning, we rode in his filled up truck and delivered them to countless families who may have not been able to experience the typical holiday meal without some assistance.…
I am writing to you because I have just discovered a wonderful opportunity for an overseas experience that is bound to change my life. Cross-Cultural Solutions, a non-profit volunteer organization, offers a program that places volunteers in countries such as India, Ghana, Costa Rica, Brazil, Guatemala, Tanzania, Russia, China, Thailand, and Peru for a variety of community development projects. Cross-Cultural Solutions' mission is to operate volunteer programs around the world in partnership with sustainable community initiatives, bringing people together to work side-by-side while sharing perspectives and fostering cultural understanding. My placement will focus on children, who are an integral part of all societies around the world and providing adequate care for them is becoming an important part of everyday life. I will have the opportunity to teach, learn from, and care for children in an entire community. In addition to the services I can provide in child care my knowledge will enable me to speak on the importance of immunization programs, HIV/AIDS awareness, women's empowerment, etc. in Costa Rica when I return.…
I was privileged enough to be a part of a program in my high school that encouraged participating in volunteer work for both the community and school. For the past 3 years of my high school career, I was able to volunteer at neighborhood events hosted by a recreational center to a larger scale event like the Little Feet Meet hosted by Old Dominion University, where a Special Olympics is organized for elementary students across Norfolk who have mental and physical disabilities. By volunteering to these type of events, I realized that one of the fundamental aspects of being a good citizen is helping provide an environment in which everyone can feel free and…
In this era of political mistrust, division and controversy I sought to volunteer in an impartial organization that works for the benefit of the entire community. The American Red Cross organization relies on the power of volunteers and the altruistic nature of supporters. It warms my soul to interact with donors, ensure that their experience is positive, and listen the stories that motivated them to come in at 7:30 AM on a Saturday morning to give blood. It amazes me how some have benefitted from blood donation in one way or another, while many others, just want to help the community. Their stories have transformed me into an every fifty-six day donor.…