Despite the sweltering heat and the mess that ended up on our clothes, the service trip to Good Shepherd Girls’ School was incredibly fulfilling. The school is a non-profit organization that envisions a world where vulnerable women and children live with dignity in a safe society, and it provides education for underprivileged girls. For this service trip—my second time visiting the girls—two other members and I planned and led the day’s activities before taking on the task of painting benches and grills around the school. It was slightly challenging to come up with an original activity that hadn’t been done on past Good Shepherd trips, but our goal to create a fresh and inviting environment still led to an enjoyable and meaningful day.

Our first activity was an icebreaker: attempting to build spaghetti and marshmallow towers. Though none of our structures held, the activity showcased the innovative thinking of each team and underscored the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. Despite my language barrier, I found ways to communicate, reminding me that collaboration often transcends words.

After the lively start, we made bracelets together using beads crafted from recycled magazine paper—a unique and heartwarming moment shared between RIS and Good Shepherd students. The second half of the day was dedicated to painting old benches and grills—a demanding but rewarding task that required patience and attention to detail.

This experience highlighted the value of persistence in service work and offered a chance to reflect on how small actions can help beautify and uplift a space. One key takeaway was understanding that leadership is not just about taking charge, but also about listening and relying on others to help guide a shared purpose. At the same time, the weight of time management when executing a plan became clear.

Overall, this service experience reinforced important values—communication, stepping outside one’s comfort zone, creativity, perseverance, and collaboration. It served not only as a meaningful CAS activity but also as a lasting memory.