volunteering to  make Street children PC literate

Zoe Rutherford . Wrote in her volunteer application 06 October 2013:

why Volunteering: "Since a young age, I have felt very passionate about working with and improving the lives of children around the world-- especially those who have faced adversity in their young lives. All children have the right to a fun, warm, safe childhood, and when children do not experience such, I believe that it is the duty of others to intervene and provide such a childhood for them. As I read on your homepage, Bruce said "Or how we should face ourselves at the hour of our death confessing we did nothing". When I am older and weaker, I want to be able to look back at my life and know that I made a positive impact on at least a few childrens lives. This is why I am very interested in working with Bruce Peru.

experience: "Since the age of 16, I have been a summer camp counsellor in various forms. For 3 summers, I was a counsellor at a camp in Ontario through the YMCA which would bring children in who came from low-income families, children with learning disabilities and children with physical disabilities. This experience not only taught, but showed, me first hand how simple things like games, a warm meal, inclusivity and fun can bring such joy into a child's life. I saw children who were very difficult and angry at the beginning of the summer turn into children who loved life and never wanted to leave summer camp by the end. After this summer, I volunteered as a camp counsellor for Camp Moomba, a camp in BC that is for children whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS. Either the parents had HIV/AIDS or the children themselves had it. Many of the children came from foster homes, as their parents were too sick to care for them or had passed away. Working here was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I knew that these children had experienced severe hardships in their life and held a lot of anger within them-- directed either at themselves or their parents or simply society for the stigma that is held against those who have HIV/AIDS. However, these at Camp Moomba-- these children were anything but angry. They took the time at camp to personally grow and reach out to others. This experience showed me that when children who have faced adversity are shown unconditional love and care, and are treated like equals, they in turn reach out to others around them to give love and care themselves. I think volunteering with Bruce Peru would be somewhat similar to this last experience at Camp Moomba. Giving love, shelter, food and a childhood to those who have unfortunately been unable to experience a regular childhood due to factors that are out of their control will improve these childrens lives, and inspire these children to do the same for others as they get older. It creates a sort of "pay it forward" mindset, which can benefit more than just an organization, but an entire community".

Veturn to "Words From Our Volunteers": http://bruceperu.org/volwords.html