Me with a dog
Tiny kitten!
Cat eating
Kitten running down little stairs
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Community Service - Final Reflection
My objectives while doing community service this year were to be more aware of what was going on in Nairobi, acquire a passion for the cause I was contributing to, and to make a difference. I feel like I completed these goals during the course of my service-learning this year.
I was reasonably successful at reaching these objectives, because I saw with my own eyes the animal cruelty that is going on all over Nairobi, and therefore brutally stumbled into the real reality of the situation. My pity for the people and animals I was helping made me grow more passionate in my service, and therefore I hope that I made a difference in their lives through my work. Next year I will try even harder to fulfill my objectives, through taking on more leadership positions and trying to grow more confident in who I am.
This year I did the family challenge (which helped those with mental disabilities), participated in MUN, painted a mural, did yoga, joined the swim team, climbed Mt Longonot and Mt Kenya successfully, helped paint the Charlie Brown set, and went on the KSPCA service trips.
All of these experiences helped me and my team learn about others, and ourselves. We helped those who were less fortunate than ourselves, and succeeded. We all grew as individuals during the course of our service-learning, becoming better people with more responsibility and kindness.
Service helped me personally to gain confidence in myself, because I realized just how much of a difference I could make if I tried. I also discovered how far I could push myself, and what I could achieve (Mt Kenya was the best experience for this). It also helped me unwind and improve my health, for example yoga was a very peaceful experience, but at the same time tested my flexibility and endurance. My mural painting and set paint were very fun to do, I loved the creativity involved in the work and I am planning to try and do these two things next year as well. Most of all, it helped me open up my eyes to what's going on and gave me the fire to continue on this path. I definitely feel like a better person after doing this.
In my community service I encountered a few difficulties. For example while I was a part of MUN I struggled with my shyness, I had to muster up the courage to speak out and voice my opinion. In my yoga and swim team I strived to give it all I had, and had to work very hard to stay on top of things with my schoolwork. My greatest challenges/difficulties occured on my Mt Kenya climb. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, struggling forward each day with awful blisters covering my ankles and just wanting to go back home to my family and bed. On that IC trip I was more determined than I have ever been in my life.
MUN: I thought that this activity helped young students acquire the leadership skills that they would needed later on in life, and gain more responsibility. I never really enjoyed MUN, but I appreciated how it was slowly helping me conquer my shyness. I learned how to evaluate world problems in a group and individually, and come up with logical solutions to them. I have developed analytical values, and it has helped me step onto the path that will lead me to develop my leadership values as well.
Mural Painting: I thought that this activity was extremely fun and creative. It helped me unwind, and express myself as much as I wanted. It meant a lot to me, because it let me be myself. I learned more about art while doing this, and I discovered how important it is to never give up on something. I have developed greater creativity and determination while doing this.
Yoga: I thought that this activity was very peaceful and calming, while being physically tiring at the same time. It meant a lot to me because it helped me escape from stressful schoolwork, increase my flexibility and physical strength, and relax with friends. I learnt to never give up (no matter how painful it can be!), and to let my problems and worries slip away and embrace calm. I have developed physical values, and maybe even some inner peace.
Swim Team: This activity was very tiring and fast paced, the coach drove us hard and we grew more fit because of it. I'm not sure if I enjoyed this activity, but I definitely benefitted because of it. I learned the power of determination, and strength, and how they are important in life.
Mt Longonot and Mt Kenya: These two trips were extremely challenging, they were long and grueling and required vast amounts of mental strength as well as physical. Mt Kenya guide: "This trip is 80% mental, and 20% physical". While doing this I learnt how to push on despite the odds, gained confidence in myself, and realized that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I also learnt a lot about the environment of Mt Kenya, and the animals and plants that live there. I have developed confidence, and determination.
Set Paint: This short sweet experience was fun and helped others. It taught me just how much work had to be put into a play! I never realized before this just how much effort was put into the set, and costumes. I have developed awareness, creativity, and inspiration from this. I am thinking about doing this next year.
KSPCA: This activity was fun, satisfying and just a little mucky! This activity meant a lot to me, the most out of all that I have done during this school year. This is because I am an animal lover, and I believe strongly in animal rights. This obvious display of how little humans care for these wonderful animals hit me hard, I felt such sorrow for these animals and all that I wanted was to do something, anything to help them. I learnt about human cruelty, love, devotion, dedication, and suffering from this experience, not naming the many other things that I realized. I have developed amazing willingness to help these animals, love, strong compassion, and determination from this experience. Without a doubt, I am doing this again next year.
I can apply what I've learned to new situations by using leadership, compassion and awareness. The numerous values that I have developed in this service-learning year will definitely help me in the future, whether it is in schoolwork or my social life. What I've learnt will always be driving me to give more to the community.
I was reasonably successful at reaching these objectives, because I saw with my own eyes the animal cruelty that is going on all over Nairobi, and therefore brutally stumbled into the real reality of the situation. My pity for the people and animals I was helping made me grow more passionate in my service, and therefore I hope that I made a difference in their lives through my work. Next year I will try even harder to fulfill my objectives, through taking on more leadership positions and trying to grow more confident in who I am.
This year I did the family challenge (which helped those with mental disabilities), participated in MUN, painted a mural, did yoga, joined the swim team, climbed Mt Longonot and Mt Kenya successfully, helped paint the Charlie Brown set, and went on the KSPCA service trips.
All of these experiences helped me and my team learn about others, and ourselves. We helped those who were less fortunate than ourselves, and succeeded. We all grew as individuals during the course of our service-learning, becoming better people with more responsibility and kindness.
Service helped me personally to gain confidence in myself, because I realized just how much of a difference I could make if I tried. I also discovered how far I could push myself, and what I could achieve (Mt Kenya was the best experience for this). It also helped me unwind and improve my health, for example yoga was a very peaceful experience, but at the same time tested my flexibility and endurance. My mural painting and set paint were very fun to do, I loved the creativity involved in the work and I am planning to try and do these two things next year as well. Most of all, it helped me open up my eyes to what's going on and gave me the fire to continue on this path. I definitely feel like a better person after doing this.
In my community service I encountered a few difficulties. For example while I was a part of MUN I struggled with my shyness, I had to muster up the courage to speak out and voice my opinion. In my yoga and swim team I strived to give it all I had, and had to work very hard to stay on top of things with my schoolwork. My greatest challenges/difficulties occured on my Mt Kenya climb. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, struggling forward each day with awful blisters covering my ankles and just wanting to go back home to my family and bed. On that IC trip I was more determined than I have ever been in my life.
MUN: I thought that this activity helped young students acquire the leadership skills that they would needed later on in life, and gain more responsibility. I never really enjoyed MUN, but I appreciated how it was slowly helping me conquer my shyness. I learned how to evaluate world problems in a group and individually, and come up with logical solutions to them. I have developed analytical values, and it has helped me step onto the path that will lead me to develop my leadership values as well.
Yoga: I thought that this activity was very peaceful and calming, while being physically tiring at the same time. It meant a lot to me because it helped me escape from stressful schoolwork, increase my flexibility and physical strength, and relax with friends. I learnt to never give up (no matter how painful it can be!), and to let my problems and worries slip away and embrace calm. I have developed physical values, and maybe even some inner peace.
Swim Team: This activity was very tiring and fast paced, the coach drove us hard and we grew more fit because of it. I'm not sure if I enjoyed this activity, but I definitely benefitted because of it. I learned the power of determination, and strength, and how they are important in life.
Mt Longonot and Mt Kenya: These two trips were extremely challenging, they were long and grueling and required vast amounts of mental strength as well as physical. Mt Kenya guide: "This trip is 80% mental, and 20% physical". While doing this I learnt how to push on despite the odds, gained confidence in myself, and realized that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I also learnt a lot about the environment of Mt Kenya, and the animals and plants that live there. I have developed confidence, and determination.
Set Paint: This short sweet experience was fun and helped others. It taught me just how much work had to be put into a play! I never realized before this just how much effort was put into the set, and costumes. I have developed awareness, creativity, and inspiration from this. I am thinking about doing this next year.
KSPCA: This activity was fun, satisfying and just a little mucky! This activity meant a lot to me, the most out of all that I have done during this school year. This is because I am an animal lover, and I believe strongly in animal rights. This obvious display of how little humans care for these wonderful animals hit me hard, I felt such sorrow for these animals and all that I wanted was to do something, anything to help them. I learnt about human cruelty, love, devotion, dedication, and suffering from this experience, not naming the many other things that I realized. I have developed amazing willingness to help these animals, love, strong compassion, and determination from this experience. Without a doubt, I am doing this again next year.
I can apply what I've learned to new situations by using leadership, compassion and awareness. The numerous values that I have developed in this service-learning year will definitely help me in the future, whether it is in schoolwork or my social life. What I've learnt will always be driving me to give more to the community.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
KSPCA- May 9th, 2012
Today was our last trip to the KSPCA. It was a memorable experience, and as usual, we all had a lot of fun.
The bus ride there and back was much longer than it normally is, because there was traffic. Again, most of the people who signed up for the trip didn't show up. There were around 6 middle schoolers, and three high schoolers (me, lucie vovk, and gwynne liversage).
When we got to the KSPCA we went straight into one of the shelters and helped dish out steaming food to the hungry dogs. At one point two dogs fought, but one of the workers came in and pushed them apart. It was scary to see it though. In one room there was a mother dog with around ten puppies, this was a bittersweet thing to see because the puppies were absolutely adorable, but their stomachs bulged out too much and their ribs showed. I was shocked to see how hungry they were, and wondered how they got to be in such dire conditions.
After this we swept the courtyard a bit, there was a lot of leaves covering the floor and it took us a while to get even half of it looking clean again! We were then allowed to go round and play with the animals, most of the group squeezed into the cat section, but I went to the puppies. It was hard to get into the cages, because every time I opened the door one would slip out and start running around the compound! Two got out and the fluffy white one was so hyper that I thought I'd never catch it!
There was a tiny jack russell that I fell in love with, it was so soft and nestled onto my lap, licking my hand with its soft pink tongue. I wondered why these beautiful animals weren't adopted quicker, for example I saw some dogs that I had known as tiny puppies. They looked so ready to love a family and be given a home and I wondered how anyone could deny them that.
When the lady called for us to come back to the bus my shorts were covered with mud, and I didn't exactly smell like roses, but I was sad to leave nonetheless. This experience was amazing for me, I can't believe how much I enjoyed helping these dogs and making a difference in their lives. I learnt a lot about what animals go through and why. Most importantly, these trips only solidified my decision to try and help out at the rescue center in France, and join this trip again next year. I wish there was more I could do, but I am certain more opportunities will come.
The sadness, love, and hope I saw in these animals eyes will stay with me for the rest of my life. I will always want to go to the KSPCA and ADOPT THEM ALL, but until then I will strive to do what else I can to help.
The bus ride there and back was much longer than it normally is, because there was traffic. Again, most of the people who signed up for the trip didn't show up. There were around 6 middle schoolers, and three high schoolers (me, lucie vovk, and gwynne liversage).
When we got to the KSPCA we went straight into one of the shelters and helped dish out steaming food to the hungry dogs. At one point two dogs fought, but one of the workers came in and pushed them apart. It was scary to see it though. In one room there was a mother dog with around ten puppies, this was a bittersweet thing to see because the puppies were absolutely adorable, but their stomachs bulged out too much and their ribs showed. I was shocked to see how hungry they were, and wondered how they got to be in such dire conditions.
After this we swept the courtyard a bit, there was a lot of leaves covering the floor and it took us a while to get even half of it looking clean again! We were then allowed to go round and play with the animals, most of the group squeezed into the cat section, but I went to the puppies. It was hard to get into the cages, because every time I opened the door one would slip out and start running around the compound! Two got out and the fluffy white one was so hyper that I thought I'd never catch it!
There was a tiny jack russell that I fell in love with, it was so soft and nestled onto my lap, licking my hand with its soft pink tongue. I wondered why these beautiful animals weren't adopted quicker, for example I saw some dogs that I had known as tiny puppies. They looked so ready to love a family and be given a home and I wondered how anyone could deny them that.
When the lady called for us to come back to the bus my shorts were covered with mud, and I didn't exactly smell like roses, but I was sad to leave nonetheless. This experience was amazing for me, I can't believe how much I enjoyed helping these dogs and making a difference in their lives. I learnt a lot about what animals go through and why. Most importantly, these trips only solidified my decision to try and help out at the rescue center in France, and join this trip again next year. I wish there was more I could do, but I am certain more opportunities will come.
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