This trip has taught me to not be afraid to face my fears and that if you are not born with a silver spoon in your mouth you can be born with a golden mind. I have been out of my comfort zone, but that’s how I know that I have so much more ability than I thought.
This last week, I worked with an organization called Greenpop. This organization plants trees for the local community. I joined them for a few of their projects. On the first project we planted 20 trees at a school nearby with the kids who attend the school. It was fun and something new for the kids. My partner, a 3rd grader at the school, wanted to do everything on his own and didn’t want any help. I found it funny and cute.
On the next project with Greenpop we planted 500 trees. It seemed like a dream, because never did I think I would be planting any trees, but planting 500 trees at that! That was a long, hot and rough day. I thought I was going to give up, but I didn’t. I kept working and that told me that I could do anything that I really put my mind to. It inspired me to do something at my school to help my friends that get bullied. Starting next school year I would like to start up a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) at my school. The reason why is I feel like everyone should be comfortable with who they are. I believe that I can start up a GSA, because I have a strong and big voice that can be heard and such a kind heart.
A few days after our big planting day, the Learn Serve group went to Victoria Falls. There were monkeys everywhere; I was so afraid that I didn’t want to get off the bus and I didn’t even want to go see the waterfalls. But, I realized that this was a once in a lifetime chance and that so many people would be happy to be in my situation. Once I got to Zambia I realized that I’m more than blessed and that I should always be thankful for my family. The hardest part about being on this trip is that I can’t talk to my family, because they are my support team and without them none of this would be possible.
All and all this trip made me realize that I have no reason to be upset at the smallest things, because there are kids here with HIV who are really sick and you would never know. They will hug you and laugh with you and smile at you and it will change your whole day. Everything I got to do on this trip I should be thankful for. This is why I say this trip to Zambia has taught me not be afraid of my fears and that I’m a leader and I should use all my leadership ability to the best of my ability.
Kenya, 15, Ballou High School