MAGDALENA (USA)

Volunteered From DECEMBER 2015 TO JANUARY 2016

2017 In December of 2016 I had the opportunity to volunteer as an English teacher for Habibi Center, when it was located in Eleousa, Greece. Having very little experience with victims of war, I really didn’t know what to expect. What was revealed during my time there was a fantastic group of people, both students, teachers and locals. It was very inspiring to be part of a grassroots organization that was independently funded and run by the love that everyday people had for humanity. Looking back on the experience I believe that I learned just as much if not more from the kids than what I imparted. Their resilience and triumph over on going challenges just to survive day in and day out was something very inspiring and humbling for me. Their drive to learn and live life to the fullest in the face of adversity is something that I have taken with me since returning to the States. In a period of such darkness it is hard sometimes to see the light. For me, these children are that light, they’re the future and we need to invest in them. If we hope to break the cycle of war, violence and poverty, education is our best bet. That is why I believe so strongly in the Habibi Center and what they are trying to accomplish.