In The Service of What?

"we try to consider the life and disposition of those for whom we are caring. We attempt to "apprehend the reality of the other" and then to "struggle [for progress] together."8 In so doing, we create opportunities for changing our understanding of the other and the context within which he or she lives".
     In reading this article it made me realize I want to do more Service Learning Projects. Throughout my years growing up I did several and I forgot how they made me feel until reading this. The first project I did was a soup kitchen at my church; here, we served food to the homeless. At first I did not know what to expect, again it was "the fear of the unknown". I thought the homeless people were going to be sloppy mean people who did not shave or have teeth, but to my surprise only few looked like this; the others, looked normal if thats what you would call it, and many were even young. Walking around I only got to serve food but what I really wanted was to hear their stories and get to know them. If I can I am going to volunteer at more soup kitchens because it was rewarding to know that I helped someone get a meal so they would not starve. It made me appreciate what I have more than I did before.
     Another service learning project I did was during high school; we went to a nursing home and helped them make tiny christmas trees. This project was brief but just as rewarding as the soup kitchen. I love the elderly so it made me sad to know some did not get any visitors. Making the decorations was fun and they seemed to enjoy it very much. Also, in high school I worked with the special needs kids on a basketball team. This gave these children an opportunity to play a sport they normally did not get to play. I was new to basketball so we learned how to play together; and the funny thing is some of them were better at it than me. Seeing them score baskets and win the game was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Nothing made me more happy than to see them smile because they scored a basket; the grins on their faces were so big they almost did not fit on their faces.
     I think that working with the children in Providence is also a service learning project, even though we need to do it for class. This not only helps the children we're working with but it also betters us to become better teachers. I teach children dance so I know how it feels when I child finally learns a step, or is able to read without messing up. It fills your heart up and you feel so proud of them. I love seeing these children every week .
     Overall, I think everyone should do a service learning project atleast once in their life because it really does change you. I think it should also be a requirement in schools because it teaches equality. A simple act of kindness like giving a homeless person money on the street in my eyes can be seen as just as rewarding as a service learning project, even though it is not as intimate. A simple act of kindness can not only change your life but also the person/people you helped; they probably will never forget that day and neither will you.