In my opinion many things affect a person’s
education; it goes from interests, personal perspectives and life experiences. I
moved to Kenya when I was 14 years old, in 10th grade. I am a Lebanese citizen, originally Armenian.
The change was a terrible experience at first seeing as I took about a year to
adapt. Given my personal background, I have different points of view on important
world issues. One of the many things that have helped me develop these points
of view is my CAS experience. CAS was
not only a program at school where I had to do service action and creativity;
it was much more than that as it helped me be the person I am today. In all
these clubs and teams I have been part of, I met friends from more than fifty
different countries and I am so grateful for that.
Over the
past three years, I have been involved in many clubs and teams: Operation
Smile, Friends of Marich, the Greenhouse, HeARTS, The varsity Tennis team and
Zumba. I have been involved in building a school for Kenyan children with the
Me to We Organization (as I went on a trip with them in both 10th
and 12th grade), I have helped raise money for the Operation smile organization;
I have visited hospitals here in Kenya and helped children heal using all forms
of art, and started building a library in West Pokot (Friends of Marich).
Before moving to Kenya I wasn’t aware of such poverty and inequality, in fact
only now I realize how privileged and lucky I am. I know that I have helped, even a little bit,
many children and I tried to give them a better future and I am proud of myself
for that. My CAS experienced made me realize the world I live in; it made me
aware of some of the terrible aspects of poverty and discrimination (in Kenyan
culture). CAS helped me raise awareness on the reality of rural Kenyan education and
health.
I have
developed several skills though my CAS experience, I learned how to be
committed to something like for example staying every Wednesday after school
for heARTS, or practicing tennis four times a week or dancing Zumba every
weekend, which was a lot of pressure seeing as I am a full IB student. This
also taught me the importance of time management and gave me a better work
ethic. In addition to that I learned how to collaborate with others and plan activities
with a large group where everyone gives their opinion and is heard. CAS also
made me aware of personal strength and skills I didn’t know I had, for example
advertising skills used in Operation smile, some serious determination used in
Varsity Tennis. There have been many ups and downs, there were many challenges
along the way, especially with the most recent group I joined; heARTS. I was
worried at first because I had never tried to “heal” sick children using art
forms and having this huge responsibility, we were all very worried and didn’t
know if we were going to make a difference. We soon realized, through the help
of our chaperones and a psychologist who helped us in the process, that it
wasn’t an issue at all. In fact, we are not responsible for their happiness, we
just have to try and make that change and it is okay if we are not successful.
I feel like I not only enjoyed myself throughout
these activities and opportunities, but that I was able of making, even if a
little, change in this world. I realized even that small contributions and
donations can make a difference, that anyone who is willing to help can actually
make a difference. Every challenge was a lesson on the way of success (success
was being able to make a difference), and it was all worth it, worth all the
effort and the time. Teamwork has taught me that if people worked together and
were willing to improve a life and make a change, they certainly can. Teamwork and perseverance are key factors in
helping others.
As I
previously said, I met very different people in my three years in Kenya and
that has also helped me build the person I am today, people enrich each other’s
life with their culture and wisdom. I now look at things very differently than
when I first moved here and I am very thankful for what I have and the
opportunities I was given. I now am also very aware of issues of global
importance and I hope when I go to university next year, that I will be able to
contribute and be part of service, creativity and even action clubs and groups,
and continue making a difference in this word and putting a smile on people’s
faces. I also hope that I will get more familiar with important issues in
Lebanon and help in creating a change, as I am only aware of such problems here
in Kenyan culture.
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