Through this service learning project I hope to have my eyes opened, become more patient and understanding of others in less fortunate situations than myself and realize I have so much to be thankful for. Last year for Urban Plunge, my site happened to be World Relief which is where I will be completing my service-learning project. Before Urban Plunge I knew absolutely nothing about the organization or what they stood for. I assumed any organization like World Relief took in any immigrant no matter what their reasoning for leaving their own country. World Relief is a organization that takes in refugee families from all over the world (those who must flee their country to avoid death or other serious consequences), gives them a place to live, helps them get on their feet and teaches the families the American ways of life. While visiting for Urban Plunge I had the opportunity to bundle packages for families and help with the organization of their warehouse. Through this experience I did not have any interaction with the families in which they assist as I will this time. The population that World Relief serves is that of a wide variety. Some cannot speak English, and know close to nothing upon their arrival in the United States, not to say they were not very qualified in their home country. Others know the language of the United States and adapt to our lifestyle very well. Most do not have the best financial stance which is why World Relief helps them out for a few months upon arrival. I am very interested to hear stories of the population World Relief helps. I have always lived in the same house, never had to worry about whether or not I was going to have clean clothes or a hot meal three times a day. I am very interested in hearing the hardships they have over come to come to the United States and to learn a little about where they come from from a first hand perspective. I am very excited to meet with the family I have been assigned to for the first time in a few days.
