Extracts from this document...

Introduction

At the beginning of my CAS project, I hoped I would have a deeper understanding of the importance of doing things out of compassion as opposed to doing things in exchange of receiving a reward. I also was very curious to see how significant the power of one really is. I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity and make my CAS hours matter. I wanted to learn new things, things that I can't learn in a classroom and get a new perspective as to how my community operates or should operate. I choose to volunteer at the Dumb Friends League for my project because I wanted to be a part of the animal welfare movement. My I share a similar philosophy as many animal rights, liberation and welfare groups. I believe that animals have intrinsic rights, which should be guaranteed just as humans are. Animals should not be forced to work or produce for our benefit, we should try to eliminate all types of animal use and abuse. ...read more.

Middle

Once you learn to accept and interpret the possibilities of other's ideas, many opportunities open up. When I was a volunteer as a leader for the Vacation Bible School, I listened to what the kids had to say and due to that, the kids taught me more than I taught them. There was one little girl in particular that changed my perspective on life greatly. We were playing with play-dough and throughout my entire life, I was taught to keep the colors separated. I had the understanding that if the colors were mixed together, the play-dough would not be pretty anymore and it would be ruined. However, when Sabrina and I were doing arts and crafts, the first thing she did was mix the colors of the play-dough and to my surprise, the outcome of this was so intriguing, the mixed colors gave the objects that were crafted out of the play-dough a whole new look. ...read more.

Conclusion

The family that was going to move into the house was completely appreciative. Both the spouses were working two jobs and had a baby on the way; they had had a tough life and struggled to get by prior to getting their application accepted by Habitat for Humanity. I felt a simple CAS project would not have a significant impact. I was wrong. To me, I was working on my IB volunteer project to get enough hours to receive my diploma. However, to the family, I helped put a roof over their heads and built them a house to raise their family. Once I realized how the volunteers had an impact on these families, I understood the importance of a society coming together to help each other. If we want to eliminate homelessness and reduce poverty and suffering of families in our community, we cannot wait for someone else to take the leadership role. We need to selflessly join together and make time to graciously lend a helping hand to others. ...read more.

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our International Baccalaureate Misc section.