Ain Badami

I helped set-up for lunch, read books to the children, and played with the kids inside because it was raining outside, so we stayed in. It was one of the kid's birthdays and so they celebrated by singing "Happy Birthday" to him and ate cake. I was offered a slice which was a very sweet thing to do. I learned that two students from SHU went to Caroline House as a kid and they were in the same group as me volunteering. It was a full circle moment for them and they were giving back to the home that they were educated in.

Caroline House was cancelled due to a half day. I went in the car with the other students from SHU and when we got there, we realized that no one was inside. We tried calling the phone number and no one answered. The driver called Erin and she told us that it was a half day for them and told us to come back and that we will still receive the hours for going to Caroline House.

Wilbur Cross was cancelled due to a memorial service that was happening at the Chapel for a student who passed away. Instead of volunteering, I attended the service which was a beautiful service where friends and professors in the student's life talked about him and how he was always smiling. It made me reflect that life is short and I can't take any moment for granted. I am glad I was able to attend the service and learn from it.

I had a lot of fun with the kids. I helped set-up for lunch, reading books to the children, and spending time with them outside playing. I learned a lot about Caroline House that the children downstairs are learning English and that their mothers are upstairs also learning English as well. I learned that these families live in extreme poverty and that they only eat two meals a day. I am glad I volunteered at Caroline House and I am excited to come back and volunteer again.

I was in a second grade classroom where I helped children with math by adding and subtracting on a number line. The children asked me many questions and I was able to connect with each student. I really enjoyed being in that classroom because of the way the teacher and the students welcomed me.

I helped serve the kids dinner and helped with the kids' homework. I helped the 1st graders complete their math homework in identifying the sides and edges of different shapes and label drawings with the first two letters. I had a lot of fun helping the kids out and would love to come back and volunteer next year!

I had fun helping out with the kindergartners in art and gym class by asking them about their artworks, helping them read aloud in gym class and the activities they were doing, and helped with snack and clean up.

In my Community and Justice LLC meeting, Annie discussed volunteer activities and making a difference in Bridgeport by providing worksheets that we completed in Community Connections discussing the type of impacts we want to make and how.

I helped members in my Community and Justice LLC make a kindness quilt where we created drawings of how we can help make the world a better place by recycling, being kind, and caring about the Earth that we live in. We hung the quilt on the east side second floor of Bergoglio Hall.

I enjoyed learning about the volunteer work I can do this semester including how many hours I can get up to a specific date in February.