The Benefits of Public Service

"Loving your country shouldn't just mean watching fireworks on the 4th of July. Loving your country must mean accepting your responsibility to do your part to change it. If you do, your life will be richer, our country will be stronger."

These are the words our President spoke in Colorado Springs. He is, of course, correct. Public service can be life-changing. I have volunteered both at home and abroad. All of my domestic volunteer work has made me proud to be doing something for my country, connecting me to my nation. What I really suggest, however, is going abroad if you can afford it.

This summer, I traveled to Cape Town, South Africa to volunteer in two children's homes. The experience was nearly indescribable- but I'm going to describe it to you anyways. Seeing the children, the effects of HIV, and even the still-lingering effects of apartheid changed my views of South Africa, the world, and even the United States. They need our help! Most of the children's homes' volunteers come from countries where public service is mandatory because people want to escape the military. I think more Americans need to see Cape Town for themselves however. I don't mean the side of Cape Town that one finds at The Mount Nelson Hotel either. I mean the real, true South Africa. The majority of blacks still live in townships and have very little money. Most of the children at the homes had HIV. All the children wanted was to be picked up and held by the volunteers.

However, something struck me about these people. They were all so open and hopeful. Blacks did not notice that they still lived in townships...they were just thrilled that they could vote. Moreover, nothing is taboo to discuss. Schools have time set aside just to share issues and concerns. People are "black", "colored" (mixed race), and "white." In the states, people feel uncomfortable even referring to an African American as "black." I'm not saying the US should suddenly be this open- that would be catastrophic. However, I am saying that if everyone goes abroad or works for their country, perspective's would be changed, as would our reputation as an arrogant nation.