The first reason that I began to look into South Africa for Winter Term was the opportunity that I would have to participate in various service programs. Having gone to a Catholic high school, I have been participating in community service and service learning for the past six years, and have enjoyed every single minute that I was involved in these projects. To me, the concept of giving and receiving experiences that can change lives is amazing, and is one of the most worthwhile ways of learning.
I was very impressed to learn that Dr. Layne began the Adopt-A-Student program in South Africa, as I had assumed that it was a program that Elon students had simply embraced while traveling there for Winter Term in years past. I was also surprised to learn that it only costs $40 to support a South African child’s education for a year, and that in 2009 enough money was raised to support 155 children. These facts made me proud to be a part of this program and excited to join in the opportunities that I would have to serve.
The service opportunity that particularly struck a chord with me is the Christine Revell’s Children’s Home, where I hope to obtain an internship while in South Africa. I have done extensive research on the organization and feel a strong connection to its mission of “striving to nurture and develop every child in need, and work towards their successful re-integration into a family and the community.” For my senior service-learning project, I worked at school for the year, tutoring and spending time with the children in one classroom. I learned so much from this experience, and was thrilled that I was able to give back to these children and teachers who benefitted from our aid. I would love to have the opportunity to work with children in South Africa who have been abandoned, abused and neglected. I know that I will benefit and learn a tremendous amount from this experience, and I can only hope that I will be able to give back to this children’s home that needs all the help that it can get.
I am tremendously excited to travel to South Africa and continue to deepen and improve the imprint that Elon students have left in the country in years past. I have heard only wonderful things about the experiences that students take away from this Winter Term trip, and I believe that the least we can do is to leave as much behind with them as we will take away.