When I first heard about the service-learning projects my immediate thought was “Oh great, something else I have to worry about for the next two years”. That all changed however, the day I volunteered in Overtown in the Roots In The City Project. I was surprised to see that although I’d heard and passed by Overtown a couple times, I had never actually stopped to take the time and take everything in. On Gandhi day I had the opportunity to do just that. I noticed the run down buildings in need of a good paint job and a couple of repairs. I also noticed the people walking in the streets. Some obviously under the influence of drugs, and others just looked troubled. I immediately realized how lucky I am to have all that I could ever want and need. It saddened me to know that there wasn’t much I could do to help this community. The garden however, made me reconsider that. Although I wasn’t making a huge difference in planting and picking up fresh greens, I was starting somewhere. I felt that this garden represented the heart of the town because technically it’s in the community’s center. Even though everywhere you look all you see is broken windows, forgotten beer bottles, and growing weeds, when you’re in the garden its like you’re in a completely different place. The garden is like an escape from the troubles society has created. At that point you’re connected with nature in a whole different level, a gardening level. It’s like an opportunity to start over by planting good things, fresh greens that have no way of doing anyone any harm. In this garden nature has allowed us to plant, take care, water, and grow something with our own hands. This garden gives hope to the Overtown residents as it shows them that there’s still something beautiful within this once great town. This garden represents something to keep working for because you can’t just leave a garden on its own. A garden must be cared for. That’s exactly what the people in Overtown need. Something to fight for and hope for. Hope for a better life, for freedom of oppression, drugs, violence, and poverty. We can open all the houses our pockets can pay for but they also need hope. I truly believe the garden gives just that. I would recommend that everyone at one point in their lives should volunteer in such a project. It’s good to get away from what you’re use to and experience what’s out there. It helps you become more conscious of your decisions and the way you treat other people. It’s also a good way to recognize that we all need help in some way and we are also all capable of lending a helping hand to those who need it. Volunteering there made me feel good. It helped me realize that seeking my own gain was stupid. I only have a short amount
of time on this earth and I don’t intend on living it selfishly. I now want to help and reach out to as many people in need as I
possibly can. I want my hard work to be worth something. Not for your everyday job in which you only care to get that raise or
bonus. But for that job that leaves behind a legacy, a change in the world for the better. In the end we are all connected in
some way. A great mind once said, “The earth is not ours, we are only borrowing it from our children”. I want my children, and
my children’s children to live in a world with equality, freedom, happiness, and love.
