Afghan Orphan Relief (AOR)

Spring 2012

            I have tried my very best to plan and organize events to raise funds for orphans but so far, there has not been much improvement. I feel disappointed in myself. Every year since 2007, AOR had managed to host events and accomplish something. Each year we had raised at least $1000 for the Kabul Orphanage. This year we have not accomplished much. I exhausted myself in trying to find the time, place, and the opportunity to do something. It was either myself or the other group members who was not available to attend a meeting or write proposals. So therefore, we have not yet fully organized any events. We have come up with ideas and plans but nothing further. It was my first year in college and I had some health, personal, and family issues to deal with, I honestly do not blame myself for failing to accomplish much. However, I am now more determined to accomplish more. I have realized that school will come and go, my health might get better or worse, and family issues will always be there. I just have to learn to deal with these things. I cannot let such things stop me from doing what I love the most- helping those orphans. I will continue to make plans and organize events. I will stay in touch with the children. I will approach others to help me make AOR goals come true. AOR will rise again and accomplish its goals, no matter what. Though I did not spend enough time working, I did accomplish some other important things. I attended seminars and meetings in order to meet individuals who are doing the same thing as me, except they are much more experienced with nonprofit organizations. They even do this for a living. I went to about 3 seminars, each was about 4 hours long, and I met some interesting individuals. The next step is to learn more their organizations, contact them, and write them proposals in order to be presented at their events (which are bigger and more well known) so we could be recognized. One organization even suggested that we work together to host an event and we get 50% of the charities, donations, funds, etc. will go towards our organization. Then AOR can use the funds to accomplish its other goals. Our main goals are: to build a dam in the areas where there is no water, and provide the orphanage with books such as children’s story books, science books, math books, etc. We also want to provide the children with clothing and shoes since some walk around barefoot under the blazing sun.

Total hours attending helpful/ beneficial seminars: 12

However, I would count 3 hours out of the 12 since I spent about 3 hours planning and researching for other fundraising ideas (actual work).

IEC Library

Saturday April 21, 2012

            It was a humid and hot day. I wanted to go swimming or shopping at the mall. But I had something better planned. My plan was to visit the local mosque, Islamic Education Center (IEC). I have been to the mosque several times. Every year, my family and I are involved in the Ramadhan, Muharram, and Eid programs. Sometimes we help serve dinner other times we vacuum the prayer halls. My plan was to walk in there and see what they need help with and help. That day they did not need help. Lunch was served, kitchen was clean, and the hallways were vacuumed and mopped. I walked past the library to my car to drive back home. I was disappointed- I drove for an hour in the heat with no AC to find that they did not need help. As I was walking by the library, I looked at the tinted glass windows to fix my head covering. Through it, I saw the inside of the library for the first time. The lights were off but the sun was shining through the outside window. I could see piles and piles of book but I could not read the titles or anything. The small room looked pretty messy with books everywhere. I approached one of the janitors and kindly asked him to open the library door for me. He hesitated at first but then let me in. The moment I walked in, I smelled books, which by the way I love. I walked to the nearest pile and picked up a book. It was dusty and kind of heavy. I flipped through the pages and noticed that it was in some foreign language. I think it was in Greek. I looked through some more books. Some were religious while others were literature and science. Ah, science- my favorite subject even though I am not doing too well in at the moment. I sat down on the floor and placed each book according to its subject. I read some here and there as I was organizing them. There were some very interesting books. A few minutes passed by, then hours, and then some more hours. A total of nine hours had gone by, it felt like an hour or so. As I was organizing my last few shelves, I heard the evening prayers through the loudspeaker phones. Then I knew I was in trouble with mom. I was supposed to be home by then but I had completely forgotten. I quickly called mom and apologized for not calling her. She would not have believed that I was organizing books at the mosque library if it weren’t for the loudspeakers. Thank God. I barely organize or clean my own room. I finished organizing the rest of the books and even swept the floor. I went to the prayer hall, prayed my evening prayers, and got ready to leave. As I walked past the library again, I saw a man standing there talking on his phone. I peeked inside and asked him if he was looking for something. He walked up to me and asked if I was the one who organized the library. I nodded and said yes. He said, “Alhamdullah!” (Praise to God!). He told me that they have wanted to do that for a long time but no one ever volunteered to do so. They eventually got tired and locked the library so no one goes in there with such mess. Thanks to me, the library was now organized and available for use. Each book was placed according to its subject and now one was able to walk in there without falling or getting dust in his or her face. Nine hours that I could have spent shopping or swimming was used to turn a place into a better place. Thanks to me someone could come in there and use the books to gain knowledge. The amazing science books and encyclopedias were now ready to learn from! Who knows, the next Albert Einstein could gain his knowledge from there.

Total volunteering hours: 9

Ronald McDonald Dinner Charity

Saturday April 14, 2012

It was one of those days where you just want to sit under a tree, read a book, or spend time with loved ones. The weather was absolutely beautiful- sunshine yet windy. That day’s weather reminded me of Afghanistan, making me feel a bit homesick. It was the day to enjoy signs of spring as flowers were blooming everywhere and grass was bright green. Although I was very tempted to have a fun day with friends and family- I knew better. It was the day I signed up to visit sick patients and their families at the hospital. I was sleepy and tired as I woke up to get ready for a day of cooking, baking, driving, serving dinner, and staying long hours at the hospital. I had to get to Elizabeth Kuncewicz’s house, which was a 45- minute drive. I think I fell asleep on the wheel a couple of times. Once I reached her house, I met two other girls who were part of the service project. I could clearly see that everyone was exhausted and wanted to go back to sleep since it was 9 in the morning on a Saturday. We greeted each other and got into Elizabeth’s car to get groceries for the dishes we were going to serve that day. Let me make this clear now: I do not enjoy grocery shopping nor cooking or baking. My mom and I always argue over that. Yes, I am a young lady and I should cook, clean, bake, etc. But I simply do not enjoy it. Yet here I was grocery shopping and about to cook. Anyways, we reached the store and collected the items we needed. We split the bill, each of us paying twenty dollars for the groceries. That was the twenty-dollar bill I had saved for a dress I badly wanted. We drove back to Elizabeth’s house and immediately started the meal preparations under the guidance of her mother, Mrs. Kuncewicz, who was very sweet and patient with us beginners. We baked four different dishes of lasagna, loafs of bread, and two different types of fresh salad.  The drives back and forth, grocery shopping, preparations, and baking took us about three hours. We rested for a few hours then we got ready and drove to the hospital, Memorial Hermann, at the medical center. Of course, we got lost. Unless you work at the medical center, you will always get lost there. Not to mention we almost got in a wreck. Then we waited for the hospital staff to bring carts to carry the food inside. Again, we were lost. We were at the wrong entrance of the hospital and there was no service so we could not make phone calls. At this point, we were all having a bad day. We were tired, hungry, thirsty, stressed out about school, and kept getting lost. Eventually, we found the right entrance. We took the food inside and met the other volunteers. There weren’t too many volunteers there that day. We set up the food on the kitchen table. And yes, we all tied up our hair and wore gloves. Since Ronald McDonald House of Charity was located upstairs and downstairs, we had to split into groups of two. I went upstairs with Ruth and set up another table. When we walked in there no one was there. It was past 5 o’clock and the hallways seemed empty. After a few minutes people came in.

The first group consisted of three Hispanic families, adults and children. They sat there quietly, not even looking at the food. I was surprised. Our food did smell delicious and looked even better. The strange moment of silence was quite awkward. Time passed by, our food sat there untouched, and they sat there in silence. I had to break the ice so I introduced myself and asked them if they wanted some food. The children their heads “yes” and the adults just smiled. They were not fluent in English. I served the children and then asked the adults again. They walked to the table one by one and helped themselves. Ruth and I just looked at each other, knowing something was wrong. I took a seat nearby and started with the children first. The two girls told me their names and that they were cousins but more like best friends. They were very cute. I looked up at the adults; they were still eating in silence. I desperately wanted to know what was wrong but I knew it was not right to just ask. They did not know me. I kept talking to the children and then to some of the adults. One of them knew some English. She translated for me and told the rest that I was a university student volunteering at the hospital. She asked me why I was volunteering at the hospital. I told her that I want to become a doctor one day and being at the hospital was great experience for me. Also that I love helping others and I like to make new friends everywhere I go. She smiled and said that is very good. We kept talking and eventually the others joined us. They all thought I was Hispanic. After they found out that I am Afghan and came here as a refugee- they were a bit more interested in me. They had never met an Afghan before. I told them about Afghanistan and how I wish to go back one day and help those in need, perhaps build clinics and hospitals. They were very impressed- they kept smiling at me. I had waited long enough so I asked them what brought them to the Neo-Natal Internal Care Unit (NICU). They look at each other and then they told me. The elderly couple’s grandson was born pre-mature and had difficulty breathing. The infant was their first grandson. I could sense that they were starting to get emotional as they told me how he kept grabbing the oxygen lines because it was bothering him but they had to tie his hands on the bedsides to keep him from touching the lines. The grandma started tearing up. I felt sudden mix of emotions. I did not know what to do- I was also had tears in my eyes. I walked up to her and hugged her. She grabbed me tightly and said something in Spanish, which I did not understand. However, I did let her know that I will pray for him. I will pray and pray till he gets better. And I told her that if I were a doctor already, I would go out of my way to make sure he gets well soon. She kissed my cheek and said thank you. The others also thanked me. I noticed that their plates were still full; I told them that they had to finish their food because I made them. They had no choice. They laughed and ate their food. They were finally talking and eating.

I would have not wanted to be elsewhere at that second. I felt so good. I felt like I belonged there. I had not completely wanted to go there at the beginning but there was no better place for me than that kitchen with some strangers. I did not know their names or anything else but I knew they needed that support. The fact that there are people out there who care for each other and pray for each other’s health is one amazing feeling. And I provided them with that feeling.  I felt their pain and sorrow and in return, I gave them sympathy.

I have realized that in order to get somewhere in life, one needs good communication skills and a friendly nature. If I want to become a doctor- those are very important skills. I will need to approach my patients the right way. I have visited doctors who do not know how to talk to patients. They just walk in, check up, ask a few questions here and there, and then leave. People go to doctors when they are at their worst and they seek help from them. As a doctor, you have to get to know your patients and create a bond with them. You have to let them that you value their health and are there to help them feel better. A friendly smile and conversation would let them feel comfortable and less scared. 

Total volunteering hours: 8 (3 for preparing meal and 5 for serving dinner)

-we went to the hospital around 5 and left around 10.