Civic Engagement--Global Paz

Hello, all!

      During our Civic Term, we chose one core (main) class to master surrounding worldly important topics. I chose Global Peace. Throughout global peace, we have visited many different places and done volunteer work which is one of the many ways to present peace. 

        One of the first places we visited was Feed My Starving Children on December 8th. At FMSC they work with food distribution partners that stay long-term with communities and meals are hand-packed for consumers. For about the first 20-30 minutes, I worked with pouring the powder vitamins into the funnel which reached the bag packaging. Then, I switched to holding the packaging for the food, I ensured the ingredients were poured (in order) and passed to the weigher. In the beginning it was a bit difficult to open the bags. We were required to rub the bag loose, pinch, then pull the bag open but because of the plastic gloves I was wearing it was difficult to get a grip on the packaging. We weren't allowed to place our hands inside of the bag, which I completely understood; we want everything to remain as sanitary as possible. While working in Feed My Starving Children connected to the principles of sarvodaya because we were put into groups that worked at different stations. If someone made a mistake, we made sure to let them know that it was okay, and we could always start over. It also felt nice knowing a few more mouths would be fed, and we were helping with that. We also collaborated; when someone was tired or wanted a different job we switched and took their places. 

        Second, I volunteered for our school. The entire school packed lunches for the homeless. We packed baloney and cheese sandwiches as well as provided small snacks and a juice pouch. We then created hand-made cards to go along with the bags, hoping to brighten their day. It felt great knowing we’d be helping someone who probably didn’t know when they’d have their next meal.

        Another organization we did community service for is Cradles to Crayons. Cradles to Crayons work with kids from ages 0 to 12. They also work through ALL donations, sorting them between quality and not quality and handwork with everything. GCE students and staff, along with other volunteers, were placed into different groups who were assigned different jobs. My group was assigned book sorting. We did a “quality check” on books placed in large bins and boxes, looking for any visible damages. Then, we would put them with either the “quality books” or “non-quality” books. The “non-quality” books would be recycled or donated while the “quality books” would reach children. This was a very fun experience. It helped me to realize that anyone could have this experience; needing basic necessities and being unable to have them immediately. Everyone working in Cradles to Crayons were very sweet and it was clear that they love what they do!5

The most recent community service my class did was volunteer at Greater Chicago Food Depository. There, we packed oranges. We were provided net bags, and a large box of oranges. There were 4 people at a table. The boxes were flipped upside down so that the oranges were inside of the lid of the box. We then had to fill the net bags with 10 oranges and return them to the box. Once all oranges were in the box we returned the lid, then pushed them down a roller. This was a super cool experience! My classmates and I raced to see who could pack the most boxes–this helped us to move much faster than our original pace. It was also cool to get some insight on how oranges were packed in net bags. It takes a lot of collaboration and patience.

These were wonderful, fun, and eye-opening experiences!!