September Blog

Volunteer Hours Completed - 4 hours

My volunteering Journey with Vibha NPO

Over the past few months, I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer with Vibha, a non-profit organization committed to empowering underprivileged children. My role was rewarding as I served as a tutor for two children from Bhutan, who had arrived as refugees. The experience was not only about teaching English and Math, but also about providing companionship and emotional support to these young minds in a new life. From the beginning, I focused on creating a safe and supportive environment for these children. At our weekly sessions, I could see their confidence grow as they became more comfortable with the subjects we were working on, especially Math and. I designed a personalized learning plan made for individual needs, ensuring that our time together was focused on improving their academic performance. It was rewarding to witness their progress, not only academically but also in their confidence to tackle these problems. Beyond the tutoring sessions, I also had the opportunity to advocate at Vibha events back in May. I spoke about the importance of education for refugee children, especially during the difficult times of their move to a whole different country. These children often carry the weight of traumatic experiences, and education can be a distraction that helps them adjust to their new lives and leading to success. My goal was to raise awareness and encourage others to join in supporting the education of refugees.

Future Plans around New Orleans 

Although working with Vibha was super rewarding, I am interested in working with the community of New Orleans and getting more hands on. I have been pulled to a couple of organizations that resonate with my previous experiences. One opportunity that excites me is volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. As an international student, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of New Orleans, along with its rich culture, is its hurricanes. The storms cause widespread devastation, displacing thousands of families and leaving lasting scars on the community. But with this tragedy also came an incredible display of resilience and community-based help for vulnerable individuals. The way the city pulled together to rebuild has always inspired me, and it's something I want to be a part of. In line with this, I plan to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. I've previously volunteered with another branch of Habitat for Humanity, and it was an incredibly rewarding experience. Being able to support their efforts by working to help with rebuilding efforts aligns perfectly with my desire to make a meaningful impact in this city.