Spread My Wings to Help Kids

Tweet

As a human, we have our own passion and interest. I was teaching Korean students in one of the biggest academies in the city. Then, I had acquainted with my co-teacher who was connected to being a UN volunteer before. Along the days, weeks, and months of being with her, I was so amazed at the selfless act she did during her time working with the UN. That's the time that I wanted to try this selfless act. She recommended a UK-based organization to fulfill my dream. After the long process of selection, I was able to make it. It was a tough one in dealing with activities and examinations before I finally passed the organization's requirements. The selected volunteers have their own categories and I am under disability. We have done some training and activities prior to our departure in respective placement countries. As an outgoing volunteer, I was initially offered to have the mission in Indonesia, India, Thailand, Kenya, and Papua New Guinea. It was promising countries to render my professional services and anticipate working with the local people in another country. However, there are so many requirements of these countries to check in choosing the best volunteers from the Philippines. Regardless, I wasn't matched to these countries mentioned. I am still an outgoing volunteer and waiting for a perfect match of my profession as a Physical Therapist. I had worked for an international NGO in my country. It is good preparation and things had been falling into the right places. After a month of waiting, my professional skills hit a match in Tajikistan. As I received the detailed information about this country, I managed to research it. Tajikistan is in the middle part of Central Asia. I had checked all the needed concerns before having my confirmation. It was too fast and I was given a month to be with my family in July 2010. The target departure to carry out my mission is in the following month. When things are being packed and prepared for the departure in August 2010, I was a bit apprehended of pursuing a mission. There is no turning back at this point in time. My family accompanied me to NAIA airport and say goodbye for a while. It is picture-perfect seeing my family and waiting for me to enter the entrance of the airport. I took a deep breath and was ready for a new event in my life in Tajikistan. Oh boy! It was a long journey that took me almost 24 hours traveling from the Philippines, Qatar, Turkey, and finally to Tajikistan. It was breathtaking as the plane landed at my final destination in the capital Dushanbe. A taxicab was waiting for me to jump in and the driver has my full name on his board. It must be a jet lag and take the time to pull myself together. I can vividly remember that the taxi driver handed me a mobile phone and a letter from the organization's office. As I arrived in the volunteer house and gave a key to my room, I finally rested on my bed. I was dozed off and woke up because someone is knocking on the door. The staff greeted me and accompanied me to the welcome party venue. It was an overwhelming experience and after the party, orientation was done. After a week of learning the Tajik language, I am ready to set off in Kurgan Teppa. It is the center point to transfer my professional soft skills. I was caught off guard with so many things to deal with before carrying out the mission. After a month, it is time to work and accomplish my action plan for the whole year of stay in Tajikistan. I was surprised by the number of children with disabilities or impairments. The pressure is on and able to teach the medical staff to cater to the needs of the children. Some disabled or impaired children cannot able to visit the hospital. I spread my wings to have fieldwork and visited the children in their houses. I felt the joy of seeing their faces and it made me more energetic to extend medical assistance. The story will not end here. It will continue as mylotters would able to read this and respond. Thank you for having the time of reading this post. I hope it will not be deleted. My story in Tajikistan is like a never-ending story despite being back here in my homeland. Image Credit: Shavkat