The ethical implications of Community Service

One of the service activity i underwent was community service club which helps children who need help, in places like orphanages or small elementary schools. In these places i went together with other community service members, I realized what service is. As the quote says, service is not about doing something, but the right thing.

The concept of right thing may vary according to who reads the quote. In my opinion, right thing refers to doing appropriate to those who are needing help. There sometimes are people who go to orphanages and read books, say they helped the kids. Is that appropriate? We should not be giving what we think they need, but what they actually need. And also, we have to be careful that these people who are helped will not feel that we are pitying them, but we are sharing sympathy. This group was successful with doing so. we went to orphanage and gave food they lack, and went to little elementary and provided extra education. 

One of the good things about this activity was that as it is ran by school, It is sustainable. It does not stop for its activity every Tuesday, and in case of lacking fund, school supports sometimes. For service activities, it has to continue for long time. If not, the service will most likely be a one time visit which will not give that much of a help to the people who need help. As the main goal is to help, it should be sustained and proceeded in order to give enough help. 

Although the group was quite successful, there was one huge drawback in this group, the fund. Although there are times when school support the group to be able to continue the service, the group still lack fund to run the club. It has always been, and it still is. As STUCO and other clubs take charge of fund raisers, community service does not even have much chance to raise money. Does UN earn much by itself? there are more donations to run the organization. 

In the future, I may continue working in community service which I appreciated to be in. I'll try to continue help organizations like community service, and help it to have enough donations and materials to successfully continue the service, or sustain it.