The Patrick Henry Village has occupied a unique place in American history. Named after the sixth governor of Virginia, the Patrick Henry Village was built in 1947 after the end of World War II. The base was built to guarantee protection for the area that was around it, and it provided a shelter for troops that were dispatched for brief periods of time. The Patrick Henry Village was originally used for military purposes, but it was empty for many years. In 2015, the Patrick Henry Village became a center for the government to place refugees. The Patrick Henry Village has allied with the European Study Center because students from other schools volunteer there.
The base sees volunteers and refugees interacting with each other regularly. The Patrick Henry Village is located in Heidelberg, Germany, and students from various universities study abroad while volunteering for the base. Students work with children from the ages of 6 to 15 in the big kids room, and the classroom is generally split into three sections. The sections are centered on math, English or German, and the students try to create a school-like atmosphere for the lessons. The children have various interests and passions, and the students try their best to account for the needs of all of the children. Whenever someone cannot join the classroom, the students provide them with books so that they still have an opportunity to learn.
The Patrick Henry Program also donates whenever it can. One example of the center's generosity is a "sock hop" that they had. The students were given a large amount of socks from a generous donation, and they had enough to have two sock hops. The students had a party with the children that involved music and dancing, and they gave socks to each of the children. The students saw that children run around without proper clothing and socks, and they gave them socks for themselves and their parents. The students saw how small items such as socks drastically impact the quality of life for someone, and the children were able to obtain protection from the world around them.
Students also divide their work into another type of room. In the little kids room, students work with kids from the ages of 2 to 6. This room lets students work with younger kids, and they dedicate their time to teaching them about basic life skills and letters. The little kids room is where children go to learn about numbers, and they do craft activities with the students. The kids learn essential life skills that will stick with them for the rest of their lives, and they learn how to clean up after themselves. Kids also learn how to say please and thank you, and the kids are happy to come to the lessons. The students instill trust into the children, and they impact their lives in a positive way.
The Patrick Henry Village program also teaches valuable life lessons. As students interact with refugees, they learn so much about the world and how people act. In addition to confirming that we are all the same in the world, students find out that everyone has similar desires. Even though we have different hometowns and families, the center shows that we all want to lead a good life that is free of worry. The refugees displayed an eagerness to connect with the volunteers, and they did their best to find optimism in difficult situations. The volunteers saw the value of kindness and supporting others, and they also learned that connection is essential to being human. The Patrick Henry Village encourages students to be thankful for what they have, and that we shouldn't take our luxuries for granted. The Patrick Henry Program displays a unique side of life that isn't seen very often, and the students grow tremendously as a result.
Overall, the Patrick Henry Village program is a massive benefit for everyone that is involved. As well as helping refugees and teaching important aspects of life, students get to grow as people. They develop valuable bonds with children and learn about different ways of life, and students can truly make a difference in the lives of others. The children develop skills that will help them to progress in the world, and they can know what it's like to depend on the efforts of others. The Patrick Henry Program also tells important lessons about life for its volunteers, and it shows how we all need to rely on each other to handle the struggles of life. GoFundMe allows people to get involved with the Patrick Henry Village, and the center shows that there are people who will help others in hard times.
