Ayusa Students Make the World a Brighter Place

Community Service is a great way to get to know people in your neighborhood, make friends, and gain the personal satisfaction of helping others! Volunteering is also an important aspect of American culture. Read what Ayusa Regional Director Doris Robertson had to say about a recent community service event she helped organize with her Ayusa students in Oregon:

"The Molalla River Cleanup was a SOLV (a non-profit organization that focuses on cleanup, beautification and enhancement projects) event. I organized this event in conjunction with a River Watch Group and they were thrilled to have the extra help. One student brought her host sister and another brought her host parents, host sister and host brother. The students who helped live in the surrounding cities and represented five different high schools and five different countries. Most of these Ayusa students live in rural areas or small towns near the city Of Portland, Oregon.

Daphnen Groeneveld from the Netherlands and her host sister Halie; Cochell Gulnaz Ali from Pakistan; (Jason) Xiaoxing Xia from China

"We went to camping areas and picked up trash along trails and dug out fire pits. After cleaning our specified area, we went back to the park and enjoyed a BBQ lunch and hot drinks with the committee.

"If someone is interested in finding out about a volunteer experience, they can scan the newspapers for planned events to join. Habitat for Humanity said they could use extra help. Food banks and Kiwanis thrift stores are good places to volunteer. Each student has been challenged to give back to their community by volunteering. I'm very proud of our effort and looking for more involvement."

Top Row: Svitlana Baranova, FLEX student from Ukraine; Yulia Strotska, FLEX student from Ukraine; (Jason) Xiaoxing Xia from China; Gulnaz Ali, YES student from Pakistan. Kneeling: Leonid Mynko, FLEX student from Ukraine; Ikuko Sakaguchi from Japan

Find out about volunteer opportunities in your community at Volunteer Match, or ask your local Ayusa representative or host family for more information.