Journal+Entry+1

=24 August, 2011= = = //I just got back from one of my favorite days of the year, the annual Cancer Iftar. As I am in tenth grade, this is the second year that I volunteer to help out. Last year I volunteered even though I was not in service learning because many of my friends were doing it and I thought it would be an enjoyable and enlightening experience. The first time I volunteered, I was shocked by the experience. My eyes were open to a whole world that I was unaware of. I had heard about cancer in a general, scientific way but I never got personal with the issue. Because of the Cancer Iftar Trip, I learned so much about the meaning of service and I learned a lot about myself. It made me so happy to see how happy the kids got when we gave them toys; I felt really good about what we were doing and realized that this is something I want to continue doing in the future. I look up to Ms. Mazhar for what she does and I decided that I want to do something similar when im older, provide continuous service to the community. //

//Although I was late last year for the packing up portion of the day, this year I was one of the first people there. I did many jobs; packed food, packed utensils, put things in boxes, organize the bags. My favorite duty was working in the kitchen. At some point they needed some help frying chicken for we were running low. I offered to help out with that; although it was hot and I got burned by the oil a couple of time, I enjoyed this job the most because I love the kitchen. We then all helped carrying the boxes to the buses, even the girls. When we arrived to the children's cancer hospital, we walked around to every room and gave food and toys to the children and their family members. To see the sick children so happy despite the fact that they are suffering inside made me think about how our own everyday problems seem like nothing in comparison to what these children have to deal with. I respect them and look up to them. The children were so excited to see us and the parents were grateful for what we brought with us. The nurses were always trying to ask for more and more food, and sometimes they grabbed and pushed; it was important to stand our ground. This year we were able to give the nurses extra food because we had a lot of excess packages. Although the sun had set, I refused to eat until every package was delivered and we were completely done. I don't think that there will be a Cancer Iftar next year because it wont be Ramadan but I still hope we do this cancer trip. //



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