8 July 2013
Wine to Water Paper Almost everyone goes through a new transition in their lives; many experience a new challenge, a new journey, and new friends. The transition is not easy and many struggle to fit into a strange environment. We all have that feeling of shock and nervousness when entering in a whole different world or society. It is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of it is a common emotion that human face when facing new obstacles. Doc Hendley, founder of Wine to Water was an ordinary person who struggled to find a purpose of his life, until one friend inspired him to do something with his life that would change his destiny forever. That inspiration has turn Hendley into a world-wide recognition for his achievements of delivering and accessing clean and safe water in Sudan. Like Doc’s transition to Africa I myself also experiencing a new progression in my young life as I begin my college years at Florida International University. Hendley’s accomplishment and recognition did not start overnight as he struggled early in his first few months in Sudan trying to get used to the culture, the language, and the people. Hendley felt like a minority because he was one of the few white people around the area, also majority of the people were Muslims so he had to respect the rules and laws that many of the Sudanese’s follow such as praying five times a day and fasting day and night during Ramadan. He also learned some Arabic to help better communicate with the locals and the leaders. I too felt the same way as Doc as I am one very few Asians at FIU where majority of the students are Hispanics and African-Americans. Many people at the school speak Spanish and sometimes it bothers me that many are speaking languages that I don’t understand. But feeling outnumbered did not stop Hendley from accomplishing his goal and defiantly would not stop of achieving my goal to earn a Bachelor’s