Maya Rajeh
WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT MYSELF:
Upon completing this experience, I learned that my collaboration skills are quite strong. For group projects at school, this skill is required in order to be successful. I feel that in the classroom I use my collaboration skills effectively, however being able to use them in the real world has not only shown me how important they are, but how well I can use them. While working to create an organized system that would allow us to package food the fastest, collaboration skills were required in order to establish a rhythm. Without my use of collaboration skills, it could have taken us much longer to package the food, which would have caused a delay in serving. Realizing this about myself has motivated me to continue developing my collaboration skills as this experience has proved how essential these skills are in real world situations.
Maya, Jaedyn, Faven, Daniel, Izzy & Lily serving meals
WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT MY COMMUNITY:
This experience has also taught me that communities are stronger when people come together. Without assistance from others, not only are we not connecting with those around us, but we are also left feeling alone. As a united community, people can build relationships and work through problems together. Bermuda’s community is much smaller compared to communities in other countries. For this reason, it is even more essential that we help each other and remain connected. On top of this, COVID-19 has put as all through both different and similar situations.
“Being there for one another has never been more important, which is why I feel so proud to have contributed to my community by giving those in need access to food. ”
Maya, Daniel, Lily, Izzy and Jaedyn taking a break.
WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT FOOD:
Prior to this experience, I never saw food as much more than something we eat to survive. But now I know that it is more than that. Food is also a way to bring people together. In this case, a group of students were brought to a group of volunteers, and through this connection, they were brought to those in need. It is funny to think that food is what drove these connections into place, but this experience has shown the power that food has to strengthen bonds within communities. Of course, you have your typical bonding which takes place in restaurants, but this event created a stronger sense of connection. Physically packaging each meal, imagining someone in need opening the box, provides such a strong feeling happiness that I hope that person will feel as well. Keeping them in mind while working builds the connection before you even meet them, and it is all thanks to food that we have the opportunity to build these relationships.
“This experience has shown the power that food has to strengthen bonds within communities.”
