College Admissions Essay: The Experience that Changed My Life :: College Admissions Essays

The Experience that Changed My Life I volunteered with Outreach Kenya Development Volunteers for three months in Bungoma, Kenya. As a team of half dozen volunteers, we lived with a traditional Kenya family and shared in their daily poses. Our primary commission this summer was back up education. We reached over 7,000 Kenyans about the potential dangers of HIV/AIDS. We utilize a secondhand vehicle bought by OKDV during the summer of 2000 and an old TV and generator to educate Kenyans. We traveled throughout rural western Kenya and reached throng of all age groups and backgrounds. One day, we would teach a group of devil hundred high school students whereas on another day, we educated a womens group of ten members. As well, using funds collected from cliquish donors throughout the academic year, we built the first public library in Western Province, Kenya as well as a preschool in Kabula hamlet (the village we lived in this summer). OKDV also worked with several womens groups to set them up with chapiter so that they could start up their own sewing shops and schools. By providing them with sign capital, they were left to their own creative and business skills to make efficient go for of resources. I dont think there are enough words to learn the amazing experience I had this summer. I believe my whole stance on life has changed for the better. After living in a underdeveloped country for three months, I have realized just how nearly of the world lives. It was as though I got a true glance of the human condition. There are so many poignant images that have the appearance _or_ semblance in my mind when I think of Africa street children begging for money, AIDS patients wasting away in the darkness of a tiny room, toothsome skulls at genocide sites in Rwanda and many more. But what gives me hope and keeps my pot likker optimistic are the positive images people welcoming me into their homes, laughing and performing with children who dont even spea k the same language as I do and many more. Even though Africa is a continent of contrasts, my summer experience helped me shatter my own stereotypes of the land and offered me an honest glimpse into the lives of ordinary Africans. not only did I get a glimpse at their lives entirely also got to make a difference in their lives.