Can you believe it’s already week seven at Seeds of Caring? It’s unbelievable! I have mixed feelings as this incredible fellowship journey nears its end. Part of me is excited to see what’s next, but it also feels surreal. I’m thankful for the entire experience and the amazing people I’ve had the privilege to work with.

This week has been one of the busiest yet, and I hardly had a moment to catch my breath. I started the week by dropping off summer fun kits at Broad St. Food Pantry, then visited a new Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School called Livingston. There, I managed the kids in level 1 and taught them about how they can show gratitude to veterans for their service. It was my second time fully leading an event but the first time with these kids, so I was determined to instill the right and necessary information about veterans.

Monday’s session was quiet, as many of the kids were ESL students. As someone who was born in Nigeria and moved to the USA at a young age, I could relate to their experiences. Even though I always knew English, the accent and cultural differences were unique challenges. This connection made the session particularly meaningful for me.

Back at the office, the day slowed down after a few meetings and quality checks. Tuesday’s routine mirrored Monday’s, but the kids were much more active. They made a total of 50 veteran kits and their comments about the session were heartwarming. One kid said, “Wow, veterans are the kindest; they do so many dangerous things just to protect their country.” Hearing their understanding and appreciation melted my heart.

After returning to the office, I dropped off postcards to one of our non-profit partners for their back-to-school kits and continued preparations for future events. Wednesday was a chill day, focused on completing tasks and setting up for a board meeting in the evening. Despite struggling with my research project, I managed to identify 20 potential non-profit partners in a day, a significant improvement for me.

The rest of the week was a mix of activities. On Thursday and Friday, I visited various schools to drop off flyers for our upcoming events and entered data for all our summer activities. Additionally, I created content for the PLANT prep groups by compiling questions designed to encourage the kids to think outside the box, build their confidence, and understand that they can be leaders in unexpected ways. These questions also focus on teaching empathy, kindness, and other important values, ensuring the conversations are both suitable and age-appropriate.

As I reflect on these past seven weeks, I’m motivated to make the most of the remaining three weeks, seizing opportunities and pushing past limitations. This journey continues to teach me more about myself and the impact we can have on our community.

Until next week, have a great time! 🌱❤️

Kanyin