Embracing Joy

Ingrid NASR, Terminale

This past summer, I came across Offre Joie’s summer camp on
Instagram. I decided to register as a volunteer for camp 2 not knowing that this experience
would forever mark me. I’m used to the volunteering work lifestyle since I am a current
member of a scout organization and have been for the last 10 years as well as a volunteer in
“Order of Malta Lebanon”. Therefore, I am extremely grateful to say I volunteered at Offre
Joie since it is something I hold very dear to my heart.
From the moment kids entered the camp till the second they left-one week later- they
radiated an overwhelming amount of love. The exhaustion that I and other volunteers felt
during that week was instantly forgotten every time a child flashed us a heartwarming smile.
Their laughter echoed throughout Kfifan, and it was this unwavering enthusiasm that fueled
our determination to never give up or show them how tired we were. Each child expressed
their gratitude in their unique way; one called me “Sousou,” while another crafted a bracelet
that I still wear proudly. I will never forget the smile on each of those 50 kids’ faces that
attended the camp.
Despite occasional mischief, these children were brimming with life and, most importantly,
always wore smiles and yearned for more activities. Camp 2 was full of games, laughter and
love and that’s what pushed me to register for Camp 3.
During my first camp, I was responsible for seven kids from the moment they woke up until
the moment they went to sleep. My favorite part of the day was when we would sit and eat,
my team and I, and just talk about anything. They would share their favorite colors or their
favorite activity of the day. During these moments at the table, there was no difference
between us. The best part of these lunches was when they didn’t like the food but tried it
because I told them it was very good. They trusted me so much that they were eager to taste
it and ended up loving it.
These two camps taught me how to be responsible in a very special way. Though the
children came from diverse backgrounds and had their own stories, at the end of the day,
they were one big family, considering all of us, volunteers, as their elder brothers and
sisters.
The kids themselves taught me as much as the other volunteers did. In these two camps I
crossed paths with people I am so grateful to have in my life today. Throughout this
experience we were all here for each other and never failed to support and help one another.
Overall those few weeks of volunteering made me see the world in a different perspective
and equipped me with valuable life skills. I am very thankful for this experience and I
encourage everyone to seize any volunteering opportunities that Offre Joie has to offer.