Amnesty International by Meka

Amnesty International by Meka - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

Root, Meka

Amnesty International is a non-governmental organization focused on human rights with over 7 million members and supporters around the world. This type of organization has the goal of supporting and advocating for the rights of people of all cultures. Warwick High School is one of many school districts around the globe, which participate in the effort to help those who are in need of vital resources. Amnesty International is not only an extracurricular opportunity that is important in helping people in dire need, but it creates a connection to the soul of a person and opens the mind to viewing the world differently. While working with the club all throughout my years attending high school, the way in which I perceive life has changed. It is quite easy to become caught up in negativity and all the drama circulating in a community. However, I took a step back from worrying about how others view me and constantly thinking about living up to an accepted “high school image”. Amnesty International has inspired me to live in the moment and to accept the past and move on and not to constantly think about the future. My mindset has changed from focusing on wants and to look at what is actually needed. This club has also inspired me to actively participate in fundraisers to help those in need. I, along with other members, have contributed to raising donations for multiple causes: anywhere from raising money for vaccinations for children who were in Africa when the Ebola outbreak was occurring, to collecting food for local homeless shelters. Out of all the extracurricular opportunities Warwick has to offer, I believe without a doubt it is one of the most influential clubs to bring awareness to helping people globally.
Every year, the Amnesty International club, collects boxes in all of the homerooms throughout the district to donate to local homeless shelters. Participating in something so wonderful warms the heart; knowing that people will not be going to sleep hungry. Seeing people on the streets who are starved, cold, and lonely takes a toll on the mind. Knowing that people just minutes away from my home are living off scraps, saddens me. I begin to feel that something has to be done to make this right. Through working with Amnesty International, I have been able to help reduce people going hungry. I have also worked with my local church, LCBC, to collect food for people, especially around the holidays. I do not participate in fundraisers or donations to ease my conscious, I do it to improve the lives of people less fortunate. I do not make helping others about me, I also do not think about how I benefit from helping out, which many people often do. I just want to make a difference and to help people find the happiness they have been longing for. Helping people should be a selfless act and should be done without the need of receiving something in return.
I have been an active member in the club and have been attempting to attract more members and to bring awareness of the importance of the Amnesty International Club. I joined the group after my older brother informed me that it was life-changing. I was unaware that the club even existed until a month into my freshman year. I found that quite astonishing after attending only one meeting. To this day, I wonder why more people have not joined, because it really is a wonderful movement to be active in. However, I did contribute to attracting more participants through reaching out and explaining the goals of Amnesty International. My 11th grade year I was voted the President of the club and used my role to ensure everyone stayed on task and to organize what fundraisers would be held. Unfortunately, in the spring of 2016, I was suffering from medical complications and now that my health is restored, I plan to participate in the club once again. The time spent in the hospital, I continued to think about how the club was progressing without my presence, but I knew my fellow members would continue to actively grow the club. I was distraught at the fact I was unable to participate in helping the world become a better place. That is how much Amnesty International has become a part of not only me, but my life. Once again, I am looking forward to being a part of helping sick, abused, and homeless, children and adults both locally and internationally. When people ask themselves the question, “Am I making a difference in my life and in the world around me?”, my answer, as well as other members in the club, would be “yes”. Not only has this club changed my life, but I am actively participating in the cause to changing others.