Lucien Sánchez van Kammen – UWC-USA

“I’ve learned the pleasure and joy of volunteer work”

Being at UWC has taught me a lot of things. From balancing my time between academics, social life, and sleeping, to learning how the law system in Palestine works. I’ve heard and seen things I could not even have imagined before coming here. But by far the most valuable thing I’ve learned is the pleasure and joy of volunteer work.

On Tuesdays I go to the behavioral health institute in the city nearby. There I do, together with a couple of other students, activities with dement elders. This can be hard especially when you have also two essays and a presentation due for the next day. But every single time I go it is worth it. It gives such a satisfaction to see that these people, that have such a bad quality of life, still can be happy and have fun. Every time the students come in, their absent minded faces get filled with smiles. I have a great respect for all the nurses and caretakers, who do all day, every day, what exhausted me in that two hours a week. They deserve so much the shot break we are able to give them.

Every Thursday I go to a little school in the town. There I do after school activities with children, from 4 up to 10 years old. Each week we have another creative activity planned for them. It gives such a feeling of fulfillment to see those children distress themselves, have fun, and also develop themselves creatively.

These are just two examples of what one is able to do here at a United World College, of all the experiences we gain. UWC gives us joy, insight and helps. For that I want to thank you.

Thank you!!