Building more than Schools in Mexico by Abigail

Building more than Schools in Mexico by Abigail - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

Growing up I was taught the importance of service from my older sisters who had participated in a humanitarian trip, and I knew that one day I would love to follow in their footsteps. During my junior year of high school, I worked long hours after school and on weekends to earn enough money to be able to participate in a humanitarian trip in Mexico.

When my team and I arrived in the town, my heart sank as I saw the impoverished state in which the people lived. Soon after, we began working arduously to build a small school for this community. Covered in dirt and sweat, it was clear that any amount of work I did would significantly benefit these people.

When we were not working on the school, we were teaching English. The children were excited to learn. They wanted to do nothing but practice and were anxious about the idea of attending the school. For the next two and a half weeks, my work meant more than simply building a school and teaching English; rather, it was about creating a future for the children so that they could rise to better circumstances through education.

I’ve been taught that service blesses the giver as much as the receiver. My time in Mexico proved this to be true. While the children were extremely grateful for a new school and improved vocabulary, I am deeply thankful for the change that I experienced. In Mexico, I built not only a school, but friendships and memories that I will cherish forever.

I understand now that I don’t have to travel around the world to serve others. There are opportunities to serve in my own community, neighborhood, and even in my own home.

Until this experience, I did not completely understand how blessed I am to have such accessible education. The childrens’ example strengthened my own desire to become further engaged in school. Now, instead of simply completing an assignment for a good grade, I recognize that receiving an education is far more important. Building an education is a privilege and every assignment can become a valuable learning experience.