My Nonprofit Reviews

When a friend asked me to entertain her during her temple’s community service day, I had no idea what I was getting myself into; what I thought was a day of good deeds turned into four years of dedicated involvement with an inspiring organization. While I cannot tell you the difference between a laryngoscope and an ophthalmoscope because my knowledge of medicine is limited to a single year of biology, I know they are both important to struggling communities all over the world. My modest understanding of medicine, however, has never prevented me from sorting and packaging a box filled with miscellaneous medical supplies whenever I go to the AFYA warehouse. Helping out at AFYA has primarily taught me that no contribution is too small for an organization that believes in small, yet powerful change. As someone who plans to engage in non-profit work for the rest of my life, my experience at AFYA has provided me with a foundation for contributing on an international level while working locally. Struggling communities and the way they function fascinate me—how they either rebuild or collapse in the aftermath of conflict or disaster. I am passionate about understanding how governments and non-profit organizations, both domestic and foreign, impact individuals’ lives and well-being; I want to help end the suffering and dislocations these communities and governments face, and volunteering at AFYA has given me more perspective and foundation than any class I could have taken in high school. While I am fascinated by discussions in school about the political and humanitarian consequences of disasters, like the earthquake in Haiti or the typhoon in the Philippines, working at AFYA has helped me recognize that there is a difference between understanding and doing when it comes to improving individuals’ lives.

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