Memphis, TN 1- Children's Health (Post 5)

Spring Break for Mizzou students tends to mean one of either three things: going home for a week and sleeping the seven days away, road tripping to some beach south and spending the week drinking clear liquids and getting a tan, or going on an MAB trip. While it may be obvious which of the three I have just spent my spring break doing, I can assure you it is the best option by far. The things I have learned, the people I have met, and the inspiration I have experienced from a mix of the two blends together to create incredible memories I wouldn't trade for the world.

We have spent our week working with children that are all different ages, shapes, and sizes and all have different backgrounds, personalities, challenges, and goals. Starting the week off working with children under the age of 5, then slowly working our way up to the end of our week working with other kids, the oldest being 18. I have really enjoyed this wide range of children we have had the pleasure of working with because it has helped to expose us to how beautiful people really are, how lucky we have been to live the life we lead, and how much of a difference we have a potential to make as long as we give our hearts to those around us.

Both yesterday and today, our group served children and staff in Youth Villages that is a center for troubled teens. While yesterday we worked with young woman participating in the "Therapeutic Drumming Program" within Youth Villages, today we switched the playing field and worked with young men in the "Recreational Therapy Program."

In all honesty, when we first encountered this group of young men, I was extremely intimidated. While we were all aware these men have faced unimaginably difficult situations in their lives that have led them to this point, we are still unsure as to what the actual circumstances are. However, I was so incredibly impressed and surprised with how respectful and well behaved these young men were. These young men were smart, kind, unique, interesting, and all had so much potential. It was very uplifting but sad at the same time.

Today was uplifting that these kids had been through so much in their lives, more than I could ever imagine, but they still had hopes and dreams and aspirations that are bigger than the moon. I talked to a young man who loved to read Edgar Allen Poe, another boy who loved to talk about alien conspiracy theories, and another who wanted to go to college to play football. On the other hand, this group of young men disheartened me greatly because I know that these kids are just like any other, they have so much potential, but if they don't have a solid support system their chances of succeeding in life are greatly threatened. This is where Youth Villages comes into the equation, acting as a makeshift support system for this group of young Memphibian teens.

While not a day has passed on this trip that I haven't learned a valuable lesson that I can apply to multiple situations in my life, today I learned to understand that a person is nothing but a product of their surroundings and their past. Today has solidified how thankful I am for my own life and it has also confirmed that it is my responsibility to help those who are less fortunate with the cards the game of life has dealt them.

xoxo,

K