Going into college, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I majored in marketing because I knew that there would be many jobs available. When people would ask me what I was going to do with my degree in the future, I never knew what to say. They’d ask me what I was passionate about or what I could see myself doing, and I just really did not know.
About two years ago, I had this small dream of joining the Peace Corps. Everyone that I told about my very small dream told me not to do it because it was dangerous. They’d tell me horror stories about girls like me being raped or beheaded, but it wasn’t that I just wanted to join the Peace Corps. I really wanted to do something with my life to help others in need. Now I am a senior in college majoring in marketing; I finally figured out what I am passionate about, and it is not marketing. Last week I watched a Ted Talk in my social work and social welfare class. I’m not sure if it was the content of the video that brought me to tears or if it was the fact that it made me feel so small and helpless. The Ted Talk was about the link between violence and poverty, something I have never put much thought into.
If you are anything like me, when you think of poverty and the people who need help you’ll automatically think of the basics: food, water, and shelter. We rarely think about what happens to those people after they have food to eat, clean water to drink, and a roof over their heads. These people are still not safe. People who live in poverty stricken countries and cities are always at risk of violence and crimes. Budget cuts and lack of funding for law enforcement lead to innocent people being raped, attacked, stolen from, and often times killed. These people do not have an emergency number to call when someone is breaking into their home. When they are being raped or attacked, police and bystanders will just walk by because they don’t care. Although people in poverty need and will continue to need our help to provide those basic necessities, they also need support to stop the violence and make them safer at home.
Maybe I won’t join the Peace Corps. At the time, that was the only way I could think of to dedicate my life to what I am passionate about. Walking home after watching that Ted Talk, I thought about different ways I could help. It could be as simple as saving loose change or collecting small donations from my neighbors, but I know every penny could help save a life. Many local churches collect for these causes, there are go fund me accounts all over the internet, and there are so many other ways to donate, making it so easy to help. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to do the mission work I dream of doing, but in the meantime, I intend to practice my passion and help others in every way I can.