This past week of service has been inspiring and insightful.
I have gained a great amount of knowledge about several social issues. This
trip consisted of a variety of issues. We learned about health, agriculture,
poverty, and sustainability. As a dietetic major learning about agriculture and
health was a wonderful experience. I got to see it from another perspective
than what I have been used to. I did not realize how much it goes into
producing the goods that you desire. I have gained only a small percent of
understanding being a farmer but it has inspired me to learn more. I want to
become more aware of what all farmers and local business owners go through.
When back in Springfield I will be researching and talking to many of them in
the area. What was pretty interesting also was that the organization that
produced the gardens or homes for people and turned it over to them entirely.
They created a sustainable life for their community members that may have not
had the best luck or were in the best situations. They provided them a way to
get unstuck .The community members who were given the gardens or homes were
treated as if they still mattered even though other parts of society may have
given up on them. This was incredible to see. Rebuilding the Wall would take
not so lovely houses and completely make livable again and work with felons or
community members in need to get their credit better to be able to receive a loan to get the house
at a very low price from the organization. Rebuilding the Wall would give the
person a job and in return for working for them they would receive a home they
helped rebuild. Therefore the member went from homeless and jobless to an
employed community member and a home owner. However what most stuck out to me
was that all the people who work for Rebuilding the Wall live within 10 blocks
of each other. They believe in keeping the organization made of only community
members because if the organization is going to make changes in a community
they need to live in it and see how it functions on a first hand basis. Overall
this trip has been inspiring and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
Aubrey Snedeker
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