Sara, 22, grew up in a single-parent family in Bosnia-Herzegovina that struggled with poverty. Her family was enrolled in Mission Without Borders' (MWB) family sponsorship programme, and as a child, she loved going to summer camps.
Now a third-year student with an international scholarship at the University of Florida, Sara has a bright future ahead of her, and her family is doing much better. She hasn't forgotten MWB; however, even though her summer holidays are short, she has chosen to give her time to volunteer at summer camps for the past three years.
Not only do the children look forward to summer camp all year long, but so do many of the volunteers. Sara explained that she enjoys being a volunteer even more than she enjoyed camp as a child. It allows her to interact with many children, fellow volunteers, and peers, listen to their stories, and understand others' perspectives.
Sara shares, "Volunteering at summer camp always recharges me for the rest of the year." She added, "As a camper, I felt incredibly grateful for the summer camp, the staff, and all the new friends I made. It was always a lot of fun, and all the activities made me feel active and productive.
"And so, to return the favour in a way, I decided to volunteer. I wanted to help and be involved in the same way others had for me. Even if lively and sometimes unruly, the campers are great kids, and their innocence and enthusiasm always serve as a remarkable reset from the difficulties of everyday life. They also motivate me to return the following year.