So hello this is my first post for this FNED class. my names GIana Verducci, im a sophmore here at RIC. i live in new hall but im orinally from Johsnton, NO im not a Gudio as jersey shore says. im an elementary edducaiton major consentrating on special ed. i chose this becuase of this missionary trip i went on.

In April 2009 I embarked on a life changing trip to Kingston, Jamaica, that changed my views on life forever. Making a difference in a child’s life was my main priority upon entering this trip. After a lot of preparation and fundraising I reached my fifteen-hundred dollar goal. Filled with enthusiasm I knew that this trip with my high school, LaSalle Academy, would be the best trip ever.
We arrived at our destination called Mustard Seed Communities. This is a community center for orphaned children that have mental and physical problems, HIV/AIDS and young mothers. These children, ranging from one to eighteen, are taken in and given education and taught how to live their lives outside of the community center. While there, I was able to help the nurses and play with the kids. In the specific area I stayed in, I fed the children ever morning and night, played with them with bubbles and other small games, and prayed. Some, if not most of the children, were handicapped so playing games such as throwing the ball around was not a good idea. One of the students did bring instruments and the children were able to shake them so on Easter Sunday we were able to sing our praises to God.
The most memorable moment was when a child named Anthony was in his crib at night. He is deaf and blind and has hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is a disease that enlarged his head to twice the size of a football. He was moaning and not really making any movement. Timidly I walked over to him and wrapped my hands around his hands. I started to clap his hands together; I did this a couple times to see if I could get a reaction. This made no difference to him. One the verge of giving up I placed my hands to his sides. He took my hands and placed them in front of his and clapped my hands like I did to him moments ago. Tears streamed down my face, tears of joy.
To me volunteering is not a job but an enjoyment. Being with kids and helping others is a great experience. It is something I plan to do for the rest of my life. My future plan is to become a teacher and travel back to Jamaica to volunteer teaching the children. Doing community service is the best way to interact with children, learn something for your life and help teach others. If it wasn’t for community service I would have never met Anthony and learned to never give up on anything.

i love telling this story to everyone and i have so many more!! just ask i can keep talking about it for hours... anyway...idk what else to say so ask me anything and ill tell you anything