Dru Bailey and Professor Robert Barrett, Illustration
When I began the process of applying for this grant, my idea was to go to Haiti and serve the children there. However, after I had received the ORCA grant, I discovered that groups were no longer allowed into the country due to safety issues during the elections in Haiti. I discussed this with my mentor, Robert Barrett, and was advised to choose another organization. I was introduced to “Bridge of Love”. This organization serves the abandoned and needy children in Romania. I decided upon this group and went to Romania for two weeks. During that time, I was able to visit many orphanages and assist in a week-long summer camp for the children affiliated with “Bridge of Love”. I documented my journey with a journal as well as photographs. I created six paintings based on my experiences with the orphans in Romania. These paintings are on display in the Harold B. Lee Library for the month of February. Pamphlets about “Bridge of Love” are available with my paintings for people to learn more about this organization. Hopefully, my paintings and experience will inspire others to reach out and serve.
Before I arrived in Romania, I was very naïve in what I expected my experience would be. I didn’t realize how needy these orphans were. It was apparent how much these children lacked when I spoke with some of the teenagers. It is obvious that they need clothes, food, a warm home, love and attention. But it’s less obvious and equally important that they need to learn: how to make choices, have good morals, develop communication skills, make goals and achieve them, and how to work. A few other concepts that seemed foreign to them were that life is worth living, that they are worth something, and that God loves them. I feel that I had a very different idea about how these experiences would affect me. I knew I was there to serve and help in any way I could. I also knew that I was there to uplift, inspire, and show love to the orphaned children in Romania, and with that I knew would come the feelings of fulfillment and warmth that come from service. What I didn’t realize was that I would be learning more about life, love, and serving others then I ever could have known. This experience was definitely life changing, and a moment in my life that I will never forget.
Some of the problems that I had to adapt to were understanding the cultural differences and dealing with the language barriers. It was interesting to recognize these differences and begin to understand why the children thought the way they did. One of the differences that I noticed was the children and teenagers did not have an understanding of right and wrong and the consequences of their actions. Many of the teenagers didn’t think that they were able to achieve anything in life beyond living on the streets. They thought that it didn’t matter what they did, they would never rise above this level in society. So in their minds, they didn’t think it necessary to evaluate the quality of choice they were making. They didn’t realize that by making good choices, they could change their future. One of the main principles we tried to teach to the older kids was how to make good choices, which could lead to a better life. We encouraged them to finish high school, go to college, get married, and set goals for themselves.
To adapt to the language barriers, I spent a lot of time and energy learning words and phrases so I could communicate. I was amazed that I was able to communicate with most of the children, with the little Romanian I had learned. The children were patient teachers and wanted to communicate with me, which made it easier to learn. By the end of the two weeks, I was much more confident in speaking with them. I was able to get my points across to them and I feel I was able to make a difference in the way they thought about life and themselves. It was very humbling to see even the smallest change in them because of something I said.
I would love to spend more time and energy involving myself in further research and service. Romania is a very needy country; there is so much to do and many children to help. “Bridge of Love” is always willing to accept anyone who would like to volunteer. I wish that there was more that I could do for these children as well as the country. I feel a bond there that will never be broken. I hope that I will be able to return someday soon. There is so much left to do to help the needy people of Romania.
The results from my experience affected me well beyond my expectations. I feel that this experience has greatly changed my perspective on life. I cherish my upbringing and am indebted to my parents for the values they have taught me. I feel so blessed to know that we are all children of God and have a purpose in life. Through this experience, these things have become so much more meaningful to me. I feel I will not take for granted all that I know and that I have been given. We are truly blessed in this nation to have the conveniences that we enjoy as well as the knowledge and understanding of the world. I plan to continue to help those in need so that they might also recognize these important truths. I feel that my paintings were a success and have touched those that have viewed them. I plan to have these paintings displayed in other galleries in the San Francisco Bay Area. I hope by doing this, it will initiate peoples’ interest to be inspired to serve.
