Rachel Smalheiser, a University of Florida senior, spends her summers in Comayagua, Honduras, volunteering at a children’s orphanage and day care. She goes with a church group known as All God’s Children, but anyone can volunteer in this program.
She has been involved in the program for about 5 years, and plans on returning this summer. She began volunteering because of her passion for children, as well as her passion for helping others in general. Rachel says, “Being able to bring a smile to someone’s face, or assist someone with some task, has enriched my life in ways I cannot express in words." She believes that even though she goes abroad to help others, they have helped her grow and become the person that she is today.
Rachel describes the area in which she volunteers as very poverty-stricken. Unfortunately, the children in both the daycare and the orphanage are malnourished due to limited food supply. Sadly, some days the children may have nothing to eat at all.
Her time in Honduras is divided between the children and a service project, which is different every time she goes. The project can range anywhere from building cabinets to classrooms. As for the kids, “we do various activities with the children, but more than anything they just want someone to hold their hand, to play a game, to talk, even just to sit with them in silence."
The children they volunteer with are between the ages of 6 to 18. At age 18, the children at the orphanage can attend college if they have available funds. Many of the children on the orphanage have sponsors who help provide these funds; Rachel and her group are working on getting more for those at the daycare.
Even as volunteers, their living accommodations are not ideal, but Rachel doesn’t complain. They stay in a “hotel” 20 minutes from the places they volunteer. Hot water is scarce, and so is uncontaminated water for drinking. They also have to be careful about the food they eat so they don’t get sick. Rachel says these conditions are nothing compared with those the children have to face, which makes it all worth it.
The word Rachel chose to describe the experience is, “genuine." “The pure, untainted joy emanating from these children and sincere smiles on the faces of these children helped me to see what matters in life. These children helped me to understand that there are certain things that may seem so important to us in life, but when really examined, are such trivial matters."
The greatest reward she has experienced is the feeling of giving. She describes the gift that the children have given her as “unparalleled” to what she gives to them. The children hold a special place in her heart and she looks forward every summer to seeing them, who are now like family to her. These children weren’t looking for help, but just someone to be there for them. They don’t put emphasis on material things, but rather the relationships they develop with others.
When it comes to the future, Honduras will always be a part of her. “You can tell people all the stories in the world but you will never truly know what its like until you go yourself. The feeling you get from making a difference in someone’s life is like nothing you’ve ever felt before. I finally found the true meaning in my life and felt like I was really making a difference."
We found this story extremely inspirational and a true representation of inner beauty. LAE Beauty would like to offer Rachel a $20 gift certificate for any spa service in honor of her incredible work.
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