Volunteering

Since becoming home schooled and moving to a more international community, volunteering has become very personal to me. While it took some difficult self reflection over a long period of time, I one day came to the realization that I was born into a place of privilege. My family was never poor enough to miss meals, and we have always had a roof over our heads; my gender and the color of my skin have granted me access to a path in life that has almost no obstacles compared to others. I have (and have had) an excess of privilege in almost every way possible, and so it has become important to me that I dedicate my privilege to anything and anyone that lacks it. I've found volunteering to be one of the best ways to use my privilege, assisting communities, individuals, and the environment in any way that I can.

Saadiyat Beach Turtle Patrol

The hawks-bill turtles' successful reproduction depends on them returning to the place they were born to lay their eggs. When that place no longer exists as it did before (due to beach resorts or beaches open to the public) they often fail to reproduce, causing the species as a whole to veer towards extinction. Our purpose during the Turtle Patrol was to detect and preserve any nesting sites during the turtles reproductive season, as well as evaluate the harm public beaches and beach resorts could be inflicting upon the hawks-bill species.

                    

          

Mangrove and Beach Cleanup
Both mangroves and beaches are critical parts of Abu Dhabi's environment. They both provide a habitat for multitudes of creatures, and they both reduce the effects strong tides have on coastal and island inhabitants. Mangroves play an additional role in the environment - they provide copious amounts of clean and breathable oxygen to their surroundings. Our goal in volunteering with Al Mahara was to preserve the vitality of these parts of our environment, making Abu Dhabi a healthier place for humans and animals alike.

        

        

Special Olympics
Special Olympics is, on the surface, a program designed to create a fair and unbiased platform for people of determination to play their sport competitively. On a deeper level, Special Olympics is a platform for people of determination to champion their message - that they are just as human as anyone else, and that they deserve opportunities equal any others. I had the privilege to become a part of this incredible platform in 2019 when I volunteered for the Special Olympics tournament in Abu Dhabi.

          

     

Nepal - Projects Abroad

The Nepal medical trip through Projects Abroad has been, without a doubt, the largest volunteer commitment I have made to date. Alongside 25 other volunteers, I traveled to Nepal in December of 2018. Upon arrival we promptly traveled to Chitwan, where we would spend the next two weeks volunteering in hospitals and schools. We not only observed and learned from seasoned doctors and nurses, but we also assisted individuals from the community on a regular basis. Nepal was a real eye opener in regards to the living situations of people who lack any financial income, and it was a learning experience in more than just medical regards.