Katimavik’s main objective is to help youth like myself, volunteer across Canada for not for profit organizations.
I first volunteered in Vanderhoof, British Columbia, a small town an hour and a half east of Prince George. Vanderhoof was very interesting as it has the most churches per capita of any town in Canada having 18 churches for 4,500 people. Also nearby was the Sai’kuz aboriginal reserve. With this dynamic I was able to see the un-cooperation of any of the churches to work together and on-going and visible racism in the town. I worked closely with the soon to be aboriginal chief of the Sai’kuz nation on a diversity project where we would go into schools and workplaces in the community and share a message about anti-racism and anti-bullying and to promote the acceptance of diversity and a feeling of community unity. I felt very close to the spirit as I went into these schools because regardless of which program or religion we were affiliated, the message stayed the same. Through service, co-operation, loving thy neighbour, and acceptance of those around you, happiness, and a positive environment can be created.
After a three month duration spent in the small town of Vanderhoof we took 2 buses and 3 planes amounting to 20 hours of travel to Quebec City, Quebec. Here I was bombarded with the French language of which I knew very little, new surroundings and was once again faced with a new beginning. Here I had the privilege of working in a homeless shelter in downtown old Quebec. At times it was very difficult for me because I found it hard to communicate with older, sometimes intimidating men who spoke a different language than I, but some experiences have the same affect regardless of language spoken. The homeless shelter I volunteered at ran a 2nd hand store of clothing out of an old warehouse with limited lighting and almost no heating. Here the homeless or economically challenged could come into the store and take whatever clothing or supplies they needed free of charge. The one man made a few selections and came up to the front desk. After announcing his selections he attempted to pay us. I did my best with French and told the man it was free, and regardless of this he left us $20 dollars to donate to the homeless shelter for the help we had provided.
Another afternoon stands out in my mind. As I was walking into the lunch room to get something to eat, an older man stood at the pay phone and waved me over, asking me for help in English. This came as a surprise to me because Quebec City is quite French and it was quite a rarity for someone to speak in English first, if at all. I went to the man and he told me that he was partially blind and needed to make a phone call but couldn’t find the right change. He held out his shaking hand to reveal a few American and Canadian coins. I put them in the pay phone for him as well as dialed the number .
“Thank you,” he said, and then he corrected himself, “Merci.”
“No it’s alright,” I told him, “I’m English as well.”
As I walked away it struck me, how lucky I was to be walking by this man right as I did. There weren’t many people in the homeless shelter who knew English, and it might have been a while before the man could have found someone to help him. But I knew it wasn’t lucky, but rather good timing from the Lord. I felt very fortunate that small everyday circumstances were provided to me that I could help strangers on a daily basis.
Waking up each day in Katimavik, I was never quite sure what to expect, except that I’d most likely help someone that day, and to wake up with that sort of mentality made me extremely grateful. It also taught me however, that you don’t need to be in a government sponsored program living away from home to do acts of service and to help those around you. The lord provides opportunities to each one of us on a daily basis to help others and it’s our responsibility to take those opportunities.
Although I was unable to attend church during these six months, my testimony was strengthened constantly by the people I met and the situations I was faced with. I have a testimony that if we listen to the spirit the lord will guide us to people in need, and that there truly is no way to feel better about yourself, appreciate your own situation and recognize your blessings more, than when submersed in righteous service.
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