I am barely able to put my experience as a volunteer in India into words. Given the opportunity to work in an orphanage and see first hand the difference volunteer work can make, I have come to firmly believe that people can indeed have a great impact on the lives of those in need. The first day that I arrived at the orphanage in New Delhi, India I was immediately greeted with nearly 30 smiling Indian children. While a bit of a language barrier did exist, it did not matter at all. A common language is not needed to convey a hug, a smile, or simply playing, singing, and dancing with each other. In fact, because of the language barrier I felt that my interaction with the children was enhanced. As many of the children have lost their parents at extremely young and vulnerable ages they may not receive the interaction or loving affection most children need at such a young and crucial age. Therefore, by simply singing a song to a toddler or playing a game with a ten-year old, they feel as if someone out there does in fact care about them. Simply showing a child that someone does want to spend time with them, and showing them that they do matter and are important in the world can have a huge life-long impact on children.
The instant connection I made with the children was one of the most enriching experiences I have ever had. While my visit to the orphanage was much shorter than I would have liked it to be, I will never forget their laughter or the way they opened up to me. Most people have seen advertisements for children in need over seas, but it never entirely seems real until you can experience it first hand. Imagine holding the tiny hand of a child who only wants you to smile at them, or simply listen to them. One of the little girls at the orphanage told me how she had a dream to grow up to start her own medical clinic and help poor and sick people in India. Just like all the other children in the orphanage, she is full of aspiration and holds endless amounts of promise. But if no one had ever given her a chance, she could not have the opportunity to go on and do great things with her life. Children need someone to tell them that they can be and do anything that they set their heart and mind to, and that they can make a difference in the world. On that note, this trip has proven to me the ways in which volunteering can affect the lives of so many. While living conditions or the heartache from a life full of misfortune are often hard to change, some things cannot be simply bought but instead given through the help of volunteers. I firmly believe that volunteer work is absolutely crucial in developing nations, and I will never forget the experience that I have had here in India.
Jessica Mills
