My name is
Kaeleigh Heatley. I graduated from DCDS last year in 2014. Although most people
continue on to college after high school, I decided to take a gap semester,
traveling throughout Southeast Asia. It was extremely painful to leave my
family, my friends, and the security and comfort of my home. Leaving home was
one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but returning after my trip
was the most rewarding things I have ever experienced.
I had the pleasure
of meeting Tibetan refugees, who have wrongfully been forced from their homes as
a result of persecution and violence in their home country. I was enraptured by
their stories of hardship and tales of escape, interested by their cultures
attempt to remain intact in spite of adversity, and amazed by their strength
and way of life. I was fortunate enough to work at a school for the blind. In
an area where there is absolute poverty and little to no health care many
families often suffer but unbelievably, all of them had smiles on their faces.
My time abroad
showed me just how lucky I have it. Although there are still a multitude of
problems present in our society today, very few reach the level of gravity that
the people I met those face every single day. I played with, worked with, and
lived with these amazing people and to see their troubles and sufferings was a
very humbling and eye-opening experience. It revealed to me the power of the
human spirit and the resolve of the heart.
I encourage all of
you to look beyond your TV or your computer screen to the people around you.
You don’t necessarily have to travel to the other side of the world like I did.
There are people in need all around.
No comments:
Post a Comment