As the days tick away until the end of classes, the beginning of exams and our forever-seemingly distant departure dates (which BTW, I still do not know when I'm leaving) this entry marks my 13th blog. Our teacher, Joanne Rennick asked us to begin thinking about the question: "Why does service learning matter?" in order to mark our concluding blogs of the term (I will try and post blogs over the summer however)

Before I try and answer the question, I would like to post links to two articles that we read in preparation for a meeting at The Working Centre. I found both these articles, especially the one by Ivan Illich on tools, to be very intriguing and applicable to today's modern society. I would recommend reading them before proceeding with my entry.

"Using Tools for the Common Good" by Ivan Illich
http://www.theworkingcentre.org/wscd/ideas/articles/article2.html

"Building Relationships: Community Tools and Producing at Home"
http://www.theworkingcentre.org/wscd/ideas/articles/article7.html

Illich describes how far society as come from its roots - the alienation that it has experienced from the heritage from which it came. Illich identifies two clear examples of alienation which most accurately demonstrate this disconnect: alienation from tools and paradoxical counterproductivity. We are no longer connected to the earth, the soil, the products of our labor. We look to society and institutions to save us and provide comfort and direction. As Illich says: “The present world is divided into those who do not have enough and those who have more than enough, those who are pushed off the road by cars and those who drive them.The have-nots are miserable and the rich anxious to get more.” What Illich advocates for, instead, are community tools which help people live full and productive lives, engaging themselves in cooperation and a common goal. It creates a common good.

The second article discusses the benefits associated with employing community tools and producing at home. It discusses the economic, environmental, physical and emotional benefits of straying from mainstream consumerism and learning to independently grow and produce for yourselves. Its the ideal life most would like to live - the question is more are we willing to give up the ease and comfort that society has offered us and that we have become accustomed to?

Back to the question "Why does service learning matter?" It matters because it challenges us. It matters because its different, outside the norm. It matters because it immerses us into a new perspective, a new way of seeing life. There is learning about a concept and then there is applying it. Service learning allows us to apply what we've learned in classes, from family. It reveals where our values and morals truly stand, what our real beliefs on topics are. We can advocate helping others but if we don't do it ourselves, we're being hypocritical. Service learning lets us lead by example, to break down, even if just a little bit, the barriers and prejudices that still divide society. Helping others is the way society should operate and service learning does exactly that - it helps others with no materialistic gain for those helping. Its pro-bono, volunteer work, donated time.

But in my opinion, its totally worth it. If I'm volunteering somewhere I like, doing something I enjoy, then to me its not volunteer work. Its me doing something I love, at my own pace, helping others while I do it. You can't be forced into volunteer work because then it seems mundane and a chore. But to willingly do service learning, its makes the experience all the more memorable and beneficial. Service learning lets you learn new skills, meet new people and helps you realize the way society should operate - what values should be taught in the world. It helps you embrace new perspectives and unique ways of thinking and learn about life in ways you didn't think were real or possible. It changes you and the people around you, whether you see it or not. The people you meet, the values you learn and the help you leave behind leaves their mark on you which may take days, or years, to emerge. But overall, you will be affected. Just wait and see.

That's why service learning matters. Its exciting, new and benevolent. It shouldn't be considered out of the norm because everyone should do it. But for the time being, you are rising above society and thinking about others and teaching great values to those watching. That's why service learning matters.

So go out and volunteer! Be the examples, the change society needs! There is no time like the present. So get out there and be involved! Go the extra mile. :)