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One of the projects that we took part in was the gardening of palm and orange trees to help sustain the community. As Luke has said throughout the day, it was an extremely rewarding feeling to know that what we did today will make a long lasting impact and last for years and years to come. Afterwards we took part in watching the skits and dances they prepared for us. Finally, as donations of beach balls, yo-yos, paints, and other things to play with were distributed while our group played with the kids of the community, I started to face the reality of the end. Needless to say, the final goodbyes were bittersweet. The rewarding feelings of making a positive change, bringing joy to less fortunate children were soon going to conclude. If there’s one thing I learned from this trip it’s that nothing should be taken for granted. The gratification of having the chance to make a personal contribution at the global level is tremendous, and not easy to come by. Not only was I able to make an impact in another community, but I was also able to experience hands-on learning about another country and culture, and to exchange ideas with people I might not otherwise meet. As an international volunteer, I learned great value from the communities I worked in, and from the experience of traveling in the country and interacting with new people.
This was truly a life-changing experience. I used to think the purpose of life was to be happy through a hedonistic view, by making the most of my own self–pleasures. But this has helped me to see that what is more important is to matter. To be productive, to be useful, and to have it make some difference can make me feel that I have really lived a fulfilling life. And I think with this sense of fulfillment, comes the happiness. I’m a strong believer that one gets very few chances in his/her life to really make a difference. But being able to be a part of something so positive for other people as well as myself, and to have it end on such a bright note was truly a special feeling to me.
As Gaby had shared earlier in the trip, the life-changing experience does not end when we return home. Returning home should be an opportunity to share the enthusiasm and inspiration of our experience and be a voice for greater social involvement. By sharing our international volunteer experience with those in our home community and finding ways to incorporate what we learned into our daily lives, we play an important role in fostering cultural understanding between people. I would really recommend this type of traveling to anyone who thinks they have problems. Life’s not that daunting once you take a look around and see what other people have to deal with. -Eric
I learned something new about myself today. I had been contemplating what to do after I graduate from Long Beach State next year, whether to immediately go to graduate school or do some volunteer work with a non-profit organization. After working in the townships and seeing the poverty that exists in the townships, especially in Khayelitsha, I know that I want to do some volunteer work before school. I don’t necessarily want to work with HOPE, but I do want to come back to South Africa or another country in Africa, and help in anyway that I can. I love being here in South Africa and I really enjoyed working in the Care and Support program. The home visit was a life changing experience for me that I will always remember. In the end, what I want to do is take my volunteering experiences back with me to the United States and implement them in our own society. -Geneva
I learned that I have been missing out with volunteering. After being at the senior home I realized what a difference I made in someone’s life. I had never interacted in a senior home before and I really enjoyed it. I hope I am able to continue this once I get home. The people I met today were delightful. It was fun dancing with them and hearing their stories. I’m glad we went there. -Sara F.
The more I learn, the more I feel like I need to do something to help. I know I can’t do much right now, but I’m seriously considering coming back after graduate school to work with the people here and do anything I can to help. -Jody