Volunteering to Make a Difference

How does a fifty four year old naive woman get up the nerve to travel to Kenya to volunteer at an orphanage? I have been asked this question alot and the answer is always the same. I had dreamed of visiting Africa and I have always believed that one person can make a difference--one person touching the life of one other person can rewrite the future for so many more. Romantic idea right? Well I am here to tell you, that it can happen. I discovered this at ByGrace Centre Orphanage in Kenya. After visiting ByGrace I am now active in supporting this orphanage through a nonprofit organization in the USA www.brightfuturechildren.org and the future is very bright.

I visited Kenya in August of 2005. I thought I was well prepared for my adventure but found out that you can never be fully prepared for this experience. Not in my wildest dreams did I think that it would teach me so much about myself and change my life forever.

I had done all the research, and thought I was mentally prepared for what I would see. I thought I was going to give to the children so much and came to realize that what I received from them was far more than I ever gave. Arriving at the orphanage I was shocked by the extreme poverty. The bathroom facilities, lack of personal hygiene products and fifteen children sleeping on thin mats in one room was more than I thought I could handle. My shock turned to horror and then my horror melted away when I was greeted by the smiling children. These children have been through so much in their lives that the Center offers many the only true home that they have ever had. They receive love, health care, education, food and shelter and they feel so blessed for it. They no longer have to roam the streets and are happy to be here. Although food may be only a cup of porridge or rice once a day they are thankful for that. They may share a textbook with ten others but they are bright and serious students. They have their dreams. They dream the same dreams that all children dream and they see themselves becoming pilots, teachers, doctors and journalists. With the help of dedicated volunteers their dreams are going to come true. You don't need any special talent to volunteer. If you can give hugs, read stories, play games or have a balloon parade with them, (like I did), than you will be seen as a hero.

If you think that you would like to use your vacation time to volunteer, I strongly encourage you to do it. Whatever age you may be, you can make a difference in the life of a child forever. You will have the trip of a lifetime and it may change your life. Whether you come to ByGrace or somewhere else to volunteer, make the decision and follow your dream---it will be well worth it, I promise! You will travel, meet amazing people, go on safari and do alot of good. Prove to yourself that one person can make a difference, just like I did! For more info visit us at www.brightfuturechildren.org