Define Service

From this ongoing experience and involvements in other service opportunities such as volunteering in my community has shown me that service comes in different forms, yet what motivates me to serve has remained the same. Motivation to serve comes from the impact that you leave when your service is over. For example, during my time as a sex-educator part of my job included teaching various workshops on sexual reproductive health to young adults. Passing on valuable knowledge on how to protect against STD’s and the effects of contracting such diseases was a memorable experience for both them and me. Watching the kids learn about topics they never discussed before and engage in meaningful conversations about the importance of sex education and the use of protection was proof of the effects of your service can have. However, not all effects of service are immediate. This is the case while conducting my research.

            While working for an international non-governmental organization such as Action Aid Zambia, service has a took on a whole new meaning. Action Aid is a foundation strictly based on strengthening human rights especially for vulnerable populations within the community and throughout the country. To be working with people who have dedicated their lives to serve and support has been a great experience and motivation to me while completing my research topic on climate change. Knowing the work, I am doing will directly be used to educate multiple groups of people and be used as a lobbying platform to bring light to an issue that is greatly underrepresented in government and legislation is a very inspiring. Even though the effects of the research we have conducted will not be immediately implemented, knowing the impact it can have and eventually will have is great to be a part of.

            Yet as this research opportunity allows me to do a service for this organization, it has also allowed me to learn and grow as well. Therefore, service is not only being able to help others in any capacity that you can but also allowing others to help you. This was exhibited on my Peace Corps trip last weekend. The opportunity to shadow our Peace Corps volunteer Sunni was an amazing experience. The work she does in the community from advocating for HIV education, implementation of youth support groups with HIV/AIDS and organizing sleep away camps for the youth is an awesome example of service. However, as she helps change her community through her service, Sunni attested to how her service was also changing her. While engaging in new health projects, in a new community of people she has learned new things about herself and volunteering has been an eye-opening experiencing for her. She began to change the way she values things especially the way Zambians value relationships more than materialistic possessions.

            All in all, service isn’t always easy but witnessing the effects of your service is always worth it. To engage in service not only benefit others but it changes you. It helps you grow, learn and it’s a great feeling to know your help making a difference.