_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
January 2009 – August 2009
One of my best experiences was volunteering in the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. Every week I would go in to serve as a volunteer in the child life center on the 6th floor. Mott cares for children with all types of needs, but often accepts the most difficult cases from across the country, and even around the world. By playing with and comforting the children, I took their minds off of the traumatic experiences that they were going through. I also setup various arts and craft activities for them and their families to enjoy. These children are often unfairly robbed of a happy and carefree childhood because of their lifelong medical illnesses. I knew that by being there to entertain them, I brought a little more happiness into their lives.
February 2009
I traveled down to New Orleans, Louisiana (post-Hurricane Katrina) for one week to participate in an Alternative Spring Break program. We stayed in a small town that had been so severally damaged that many kitchen appliances could still be seen lodged in tree branches. Throughout the week we helped build and renovate houses for Katrina victims that were still recovering from the disaster. While the work itself was rewarding, the part I most vividly remember was interacting with and meeting community members. One night we hosted an open discussion where citizens shared their stories and experiences of the four years since the storm had hit the area. I was able to get a heartbreaking glimpse of the suffering they had endured.
Palestinian Medical Relief Society
August 2008
I served as a mobile clinic volunteer with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) for four weeks. The mobile clinic was a unique program dedicated to providing weekly care for residents in different rural villages around the West Bank city of Ramallah. I worked first hand with doctors and nurses to give health care to the most impoverished individuals and families. The impact of relieving the pain that these peopled struggled with was inspiring and reinforced my desire to pursue a career in medicine. During my time with PMRS, I learned that anything is achievable with enough dedication and perseverance.
September 2005 – April 2006
I volunteered at St. Andrews Breakfast Kitchen in Ann Arbor, MI once a week for eight months . I served patrons bowls of hot cereals, filled juice cup, and cut desserts to be distributed. I also helped with the clean up after breakfast had concluded. At St. Andrews I met many struggling individuals with stories of despair and defeat. Through the experience, I learned that helping others teaches humility by revealing the human bonds that we all share.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
