Time is precious; use your time to make a difference in the world.
When I was in India, I used to go door to door with a bowl begging for food and money, but was often turned away with a grumbling stomach, not knowing when I would be able to eat another meal again. I used to be small and skinny. I lost a parent, my Amma, a special word I use when I refer to my birth mother. It was a death which no child should see: a violent, graphic, horrible death. From time to time, I get nightmares and flashbacks. After my amma died, I thought another person would never love me. Sometimes I wonder how my life would have been different if she were still alive.
After many years of waiting to be adopted, I finally came to America where my life changed .When I first came to America, I didn’t know any English. There was nobody to speak my language, Telugu. I didn’t have any Indian friends at school. I was frustrated, lonely, and missed my friends and country. I was teased and made fun of a lot in school because of my accent and the fact that I came from India. Whenever I wanted something, I had to point my fingers at things or pictures of them. I struggled with many subjects.
For a long time I was ashamed of being Indian. I didn’t wear my traditional Indian clothes or have anything to do with Indian culture. I wanted to fit in with other groups, be an American and dress like one, too. But the truth is that I was still the same person both inside and outside. Things changed when I came to Catalina Magnet High School. There are many international students from many countries. I started to reveal myself and open the doors I had shut for many years. The past three years I made many refugee friends. Because of my refugee friends, I wanted to start helping by volunteering. These friends taught me something about life. I am no longer embarrassed to be an Indian girl; I feel comfortable in my own skin.
Now that I know who I am, I want to reach others who are experiencing what I went through. For the past three years, I have volunteered with Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network. I assist Barbara Eiswerth, the coordinator of this organization. Volunteering to me is an important and simple gift I can give as unconditional love to the world. As part of the organization, I help harvest produce, do office work, answer phone calls, and help sell art work made by refugees. As a young teen, I want to do my part to make the world a better place.
Like Barbara, I devote my time and energy. It is the least I can do, to make a difference in the world. I may not be able to help everyone but I can help whoever comes into my life. Happiness for self is found in helping others find happiness.