Once in a Lifetime Experience

Participating in Uplift Humanity India was the best decision I have made in my life by far. Going into this experience, I had no idea what to expect. As part of the Hyderabad leg of the program, my group was the only one working with children in juvenile detention centers. I was already nervous and scared about opening up to and teaching kids I had never met before, and my preconceived notions about juveniles only added to that. I walked into the center on the first day expecting the kids to laugh at me for my broken Telugu, act disrespectful, and not be receptive to what we were teaching them. However, they were the exact opposite of this. I was shocked. These kids are some of the most driven, hardworking, and tremendously talented people I have ever met. Their poise and grace never failed to amaze me, and I only ever saw smiles on their faces, despite the conditions they were living in. These kids are nothing like the media portrays juveniles: uncontrolled, impolite, and reckless. Rather, their lifestyles forced them into these situations as a way to survive, and they are amazing people. I will never forget the feeling of going to the facility every day and being bombarded with love, warmth, and even hand crafted personalized drawings. I truly feel like our work there made an impact on their lives, and if I had the chance, I would go back in a heartbeat. While I was the one there to teach them, they taught me so much more than I could have imagined. They taught me what it is like to work hard and how to have a positive outlook on life. This is a once in a lifetime experience, and I would highly recommend Uplift Humanity to anyone who is looking for a volunteering abroad program.