Faruque 1

Shaan Haider Faruque

Grade 11

Community Service Reflection Dar Ul Sakun

I undertook a community service reflection at Dar Ul Sakun in the

summer from July till mid August. Dar Ul Sakun is a home for special or mentally

challenged people of all ages. The experience was something completely new for

me. My previous community service was in school with poor children. I learnt

many new things but I embraced it and soon I found it very easy to cope with. I

started enjoying it by the end.

There were two 3- hour sessions, one from 9-12 AM and another from 3-6

PM. I would go in the day usually because in the summer I would get up late. At

Dar Ul there was a field where all the special people were. All the volunteers

would come there and help them. Activities included taking small children

around in buggies, putting small children back in their cots, playing with them

and talking to old people and giving them company. At first I admit I was kind of

scared. I had never been in close proximity to special people before and their

respective handicaps, and odd behavior was intimidating, as I did not know how

to interact with them. The first day I just sat with the most normal person I

could see. It was an old woman. I learnt that she had been here her whole life;

her parents had dropped her off as a child. She could speak English and was

loosely educated. I could tell she was one of the more stable minded special

people. I then pushed a few children around in the buggies. It was much easier

by the end of my first day than I first thought as soon as I saw it.
 Faruque 2

By the fourth or fifth time I had grown to become acquainted with an old

woman named Suzanna. She was extremely funny and witty and interesting to

talk to. She had short-term memory loss and so every time she would ask my

name about 10 times. This disability is what made her special however. I would

enjoy telling her the same thing over and over again. It was not annoying at all.

By the end I had become really close to her. Now that I am not doing Community

Service anymore, I miss Suzanna, as she was the highlight of my visits there.

There was once a talent show for charity, which took place there. Some of

the special people also took part in it. I played guitar to a song and 10 or 15

others sang. It was a really enjoyable experience. Moreover it was really fulfilling

watching the special people feel worthwhile by performing in front of everyone

and getting applause.

I think one main thing, which they should change, which really affected

me was the tagline for Dar Ul Sakun: Home for the mentally and physically

retarded. I think they should call it Home for the specially challenged or

something, which does not insult the special people as much. Also I think there

should be a better observation or checking system. I found that there was not

much supervision. I would work because I knew that coming here was more

than just getting the hours- it was for the purpose of doing something beneficial

for the society and these people and feeling good about it- but I saw that some

people were not working and that is just not on. They should be kicked out as

community service means WORKING for the community. I learned that these

special people are people just like us. They have feelings and are compassionate

and kind if you are understanding of them and dont laugh at them or make fun

of them. I look forward to working here again in the future.

Faruque 3