As a volunteer of Focus Hope the team I went with I served Detroit citizens with a food bank, early childhood education program, initiatives for adult education, and more. Service projects typically consist of preparing, packaging, and delivering food throughout Detroit. I took care of infant kids, I helped them by sleeping with the kids, giving them food, and playing with them.
My view on the world has shifted/transformed after being involved in this project. I was able to help people, I realized how a small act of kindness can make a huge difference in people’s lives. It wasn’t too much work to pack the food and deliver it to the senior’s houses, but knowing how big of a difference it makes in their lives and seeing the reaction on their face was worth all the time and energy I spent. I also learned how to take care of infants and learned how pure and sweet kids are.
There were students from different backgrounds, cultures, and different grade levels. I was able to learn from other people’s cultures and also learned to accept our differences and live together. At night, we had a reflection activity where we reflected on how the day went and “our high and low” of the day. Also, we write a positive note to each other every night, so basically we build and cheer each other up. These activities have helped me to realize how saying something positive can make someone’s day, which I will be applying to my daily life from now on.
I also learned that true happiness comes from making others happy. Packing and delivering food might not take a lot of time but it made my soul happy. Also spending time with the kids was so much fun, they are such pure souls. I remember a moment when one kid got a stomach ache. She was crying the whole time and wasn’t able to sleep when all the other kids were asleep. And then I asked them if I could try to get her to sleep. Then I took her into my arms, then I started to walk in the hallway while patting her head. Then she slept, this situation made me realize I want to be a pediatrician and help kids heal from the pain. It was so hard seeing kids in pain as they could express how they felt.
I was also able to see some interesting places in Michigan like “Coney Island”. I used to think Michigan was not as interesting as it is. The city is beautiful and also I was able to see Canada from far away, so I will take my friends with me next time and visit it even more. I will also be involved in more Buck-I serve trips.
This project has given me the lessons that will help me succeed in my life. I learned how vital kindness is in the world we live in. In my life, I will make sure to lend my hand for help because the goal is so satisfying. The other thing this project made me realize is how I enjoy spending time with kids so it made me consider pursuing a career related to kids like a pediatrician.