Commitment to Service
u·bun·tu
Ubuntu is an African Philosophy that is often directly translates to "I am because we are" and signifies humanity towards others. Ubuntu embodies all virtues that maintain harmony, solidarity and compassion towards others. It encourages a constant awareness that an individual’s actions today are a reflection on the past, and will have far-reaching consequences for the future.
To fulfil the Commitment to Service Requirement of GLASS I have:
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Breast Cancer March on October 15, 2023. Organised in collaboration with the Academic Achievement Program and the Alpha Mu NY Chapter.
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Volunteered at Huellas De Pan in Mexico which provides meals to children in Mexico.
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Volunteered at the Bowery Mission in New York. We served communities ready-made meals contributing towards lowering the hunger crisis which had been exacerbated during the pandemic. Other than serving meals, the Bowery Mission also provides the homeless with temporary housing before helping them relocate to another shelter. Considering the cold weather in New York, they have tried to accommodate people in their facilities so that they are better protected from the harsh weather.
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Volunteered at the International Health Center (IHS) in Hawaii over my sophomore spring break. They provide various forms of support to members of society who are underserved and vulnerable. This includes:
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Providing families, women, men and children with shelter as well as a day care center so the children can learn
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Proving therapy and counseling to address the mental health challenges experienced by the homeless such as schizophrenia.
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Providing medical care for those who are sick as well as psychiatric help.
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Rehabilitating and integrating drug users and the homeless into society so that they can be self sufficient and empowered. This was achieved through skill training such as teaching them how to start and operate hydroponic gardens as well as the collection of donations for beneficiaries.
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We had worked under Leona and had assisted with preparations for their mental health training as well as the serving food to people in their men’s shelters.
From this experience we witnessed the challenging and complex homelessness is not just the physical aspects but also the mental and emotional effects it has on the people and those they know. As well as the difficulties they experience in attaining the resources they need such as therapy for instance. We were able to hear the various stories of those affected and how these organizations had helped them. Therefore, helping communities is not just about giving them physical resources but also providing them with the necessary skills, resources and guidance so that they can be integrated back into society and eventually become self-sufficient.
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Volunteered through NYU UNICEF such as providing letters and support messages for old age homes and children's hospitals.
My community service experiences have highlighted the importance of making time to help our own community outside of work. We can easily be caught up by our own lives, accomplishments and goals but life becomes so much more meaningful and worthwhile when we help others and uplift them. This is something I have and will always value and continue even after I graduate this May 2024.
