Margaret E., a Local Coordinator in Arizona, recently organized a volunteer event with several AYA students. The group participated in a community-based activity to benefit Forgasch house, a local shelter for victims of domestic violence providing educational, counseling and transitional assistance to families in need.
With the assistance of adult volunteers from Margaret’s church, the group designed and created hand-made pillowcases. The students learned to cut, prepare and sew pillowcases with decorative bindings, using techniques such as French seams. Many girls had not sewn before, but got the chance to learn about cutting along selvage lines, threading and using sewing machines and finishing off the beautiful products.
The Forgasch house provides refuge, meals, and a loving environment to up to forty women and children at a time. The pillowcases were donated, so the residents would have a little special something made with love to brighten their stay.
Hoor, a YES student from Pakistan, shared the following about her volunteer experience:
I would like to write about this amazing volunteering work I did. I really like to do something for others, and I really like sewing clothes. I have a certificate for sewing from my country, too. I feel really comfortable and good to serve my time for needy people, because serving for poor and less fortunate people removes the ego and pride from your heart.
It was an amazing experience of my life to go in church and sew pillowcases for needy. And the guiders were so cooperative and nice. I had a really good time in that volunteering work. We should try to find a person within ourselves who knows how to live for others as well and not just for himself.
Learn more about AYA and opportunities to host a great student like Hoor.
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