MUN Donations

Last year, I played a significant role in helping the OSC Delegation win the Service Award as I worked tirelessly for two months writing letters and organizing meetings with local business owners such as the CEO of Keels, Careems Jewelers and the Owner of Hayleys, to name a few. My aim was to convince them to sponsor OSC’s Service segment of MUN, in which, each school is asked to fund as many school bags, inclusive of a set list for stationary, and the school that produces the most is compensated with the Service Award. Last year, I helped to source 165 bags, which were proceeded to donate to poverty-stricken families around Sri Lanka. Although the primary focus was on the debating, I thoroughly enjoyed this segment within the program as I felt that it gave me an opportunity to not only showcase and exercise my skills of leadership, commitment, patience and resilience but to also present me with the perfect occasion to give back to the community that has nurtured and fostered my development through the years.

This year, contrasting our usual agenda, during today’s MUN lesson the SG and our Faculty advisor decided to donate not only the surplus bags from last years’ service run but remnants of a culmination of activities. The group organized ourselves into different sections, depending on the item, books, bags, stationary… etc. and furiously sorted through the messy clumps of materials, hoping to pack them into the multitude of empty boxes in time. These boxes are to be donated to an organization called, ‘Hope for Kids’, that centered on sheltering and nurturing a group of marginalized, poverty-stricken children. This non- profit organization addresses the global issue of poverty, in which they plan to create a safe environment in which children can explore their physical, spiritual and relational needs.

While packing the boxes, I contemplated whether these donations might create a drastic dent as I questioned the significance of the impact of these materials. I then realized that something that might be an everyday norm for us privileged students might be a gem that the hope for kids’ students might cherish. This train of thought (unexpectedly) triggered a deeper reaction within myself … a more permanent one and one of gratitude. I often mistake the act of thanking as being in ‘gratitude’ as I find that they are synonymous. However, I stand corrected, as the basis for the act is of temporary gratefulness whereas gratitude has a more permanent and resilient foundation. Thus, this MUN lesson proved to be one that was pivotal in updating me as an individual, given that it was truly one of service … for both parties.

Link for Hope for Kids

https://www.facebook.com/hope4cancerkids.org/