Ann Herlin: The Magic of Volunteering
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Working with the women on the Women To Women trip this past
month was a remarkable experience for me. Having been here once before just 9
months ago, the experience of my first time was fresh in my memory. I could
remember the fear, trepidation, sadness, love, inadequacy, and excitement I
felt as I began working with the people in the colonies, the children at
school, and the staff at Rising Star Outreach. But during this trip I made a special
point of watching those women who were here for the first time. I saw fear as
they spent their first rotation removing bandages and doctoring wounds from
those affected with a disease they had never seen before. I saw the sadness as
they watched people remove their prosthetic limbs for their treatments. I saw
inadequacy and trepidation as they touched and administered to humble, gracious
people. I saw joy and excitement as they taught and played with the wonderful
students. I saw respect as they worked with and learned about the work of the
dedicated staff. And lastly I saw the love! There was a light that
lit up their eyes and then changed their faces as they looked into the eyes of
such sweet, gentle men, women and children. There was a change in their
hearts as they touched and hugged those whose lives are so very hard, but who
are always so thankful and happy. There was magic as I watched volunteers who
came to India and Rising Star Outreach
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