Slap in the face

I chose to go abroad and specifically volunteer because I was disgusted by how much money is poured into regular abroad programs full of partying and not really exploring. So once I found the opportunity I signed up immediately and my parents were very worried that I was going by myself and didn't understand what I was looking for in this, since getting to college I became very philanthropic as being a sorority member I just saw a bunch of girls who were great but were just a bunch of self entitled kids who have worked for nothing nor deserve it and still aren't giving back. It made me sick and I wanted to get away and help. I know I could've helped locally as I do but, I wanted to indulge myself into the society and be a traveler not a tourist. It was the most humbling experience and I have been home for a few years now and still a day doesn't pass where I look back and just count my blessings and count the days till I can somehow go back and live there. They have the way of simplifying your life and there is no greater feeling than feeling free of American norms of pressures from society. I wish the language would have been easier to learn and that I could've extended my stay to help understand them more. I kept a daily journal as I decided to take an independent study course where I wrote everyday, lead group lectures and was able to interview local teachers. I feel that I got the most out of the groups experience because those women shared their life with me, how they took in 4 children because they were left and how they are all just happy and thankful regardless of the situation. We would then walk through the townships cleaning it up, gathering rocks to help build a wall for the school and redo the outside structure. Animals roam free in the township so pigs, goats, cows are always in the way. Older kids who begin dropping out of school by 14 start to rebel stealing things from the school, cutting down swings, so we would try and gather them to play sports to keep them busy, its incredible how tough they are. Upon returning to our house, there was 10 in a small beach house with one bathroom but we all just respected eachother so much because you knew everyone was full of pure goodness just for being there with you. That common bond brought everyone together the moment we met.