Gifting Celebration

As mentioned in my previous post, I along with Alyona Sukhova and Polina Semochkina were responsible for the fund that we have raised during Valentine’s Day in BIS 3. Half of it was allocated to sponsor “Podari Prazdnik” (“Gift Celebration”) program. 

On Monday my sister and I went shopping for the items that children have requested. It was a real pleasure for me to do that and not because I love shopping so much (although I do). While walking around stores in search for a perfect pair of flats for Marina or sneakers for Alyona, I felt like I was doing something worthy in life, even by helping someone who I know nothing about. In addition to what was requested we also invested a small sum of our own pocket money to buy books for each child. 

Right now I am on my way from the organization’s main office. I gave away wrapped up presents and spend a little bit of time purely chatting to programs representatives. I found out about other possible volunteering opportunities, asked about life in orphanages and left my phone number to keep in contact. I also told them about our school and the fundraisers that we organize and was promised a written thank you letter to be sent to the school and a mention on their website. 

As much as I loved today’s experience, if I was to do it again there will be some things that I would do to make it even better. Firstly, I would take a group of people with me because I felt like by communicating with the organization’s representatives, I have learnt a lot about their sphere of work and the ways that people may help without investing a penny (kopeika?) in. This is definitely something that a lot of IB students could benefit from and get inspiration to do some real service. Secondly, next time I would try to actually join a group of volunteers and go with them to visit children at orphanages because I would get a chance to talk and play with them, share the warmth of my heart so to speak. 

By participating in the fundraiser and directly handing the presents to the responsible organization I:

• planned and initiated activities 
• considered ethical implications of my actions
• engaged with issues of global importance 

• proved to be a reflective, communicative, open-minded and caring IB learner