Worcester, MA
United States
Last semester I studied in Cape Town, South Africa. While abroad I volunteered for an organization that works with women and children infected with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. This wonderful opportunity allowed me to work with youth living in Khayelitsha, one of the largest and most impoverished townships in South Africa. Throughout my time with the organization I implemented a program called Art for Action which exposed the youth to various forms of creative expression. Although my experience was challenging at times, the youth truly had a lasting impact on me, and I would like to think that I did the same for them.
We all know the saying- don't judge a book by it's cover. But this is inevitable. We see someone and automatically make assumptions based on their exterior characteristics that are visible. It is what we do after the fact that matters. Put those judgments aside, and recognize there is a lot more to that individual than meets the eye.