12.2 Readers' Forum - Volunteerism

Summer 2004 (12.2)
Page 11

Readers' Forum
Volunteerism

I'm studying in the United States right now and while here, I've come to miss and appreciate my country even more. We all know there are so many problems to solve, especially in relationship to the nearly 1 million refugees, many of whom still live in camps. While studying here in the States, I've begun to learn what self-help is and what community service means. We can't expect others to solve our problems. We need to work to find solutions ourselves. These things are a bit new for Azerbaijan. High school and university students can do a lot to help refugees, to help educate, tutor and train younger kids. And there's a lot we can do to provide kids with books and school supplies. I have a dream to go back and try to get some volunteer projects going.