Community service work can be an extremely beneficial experience, especially for youth. For many teens and young adults, they have not yet had the opportunity to independently explore or immerse themselves in different ways of life. Developing a worldlier view on society is a crucial part of growing up. Whether it be something as time consuming as a long term mission trip or simply donating extra goods, these contributions really do play a part in the subsystems of societal functioning. Many people travel all over the world doing service work. However, many do not realize that the same severity of problems exist in parts of the United States. This route can ultimately be a more cost effective and time conserving way to contribute to the bottom one percent in this nation. Many people are not aware of the program which shines a light on this American way of life known as the Appalachian Service Project.
Coming from a relatively high income town on the east coast, I didn’t know much about true financial suffering of others. I heard about this program through a church in my town and a few of my friends and I decided to go on the trip with little to no expectations of what we would encounter. We knew that we would be volunteering to restore homes that do not meet the requirements for American standards of living.
Driving through the narrow and curvy roads, in the depths of a lush mountain range, there is a hole in the world. An American way of life I never knew existed. I went to an isolated town, hardly perceptible on the US map, known as Matewan, Kentucky. A place where the brand of clothing you wear, social media and all material status drifts from your conscious. Appalachian Service Project is a 10 day volunteer program that has been around for almost 50 years to restore the homes of low income families living in the Appalachian mountain range. Consisting of the states: West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. My church group of about 100 people set up our living quarters in an abandoned elementary school.
ASP is very much an introspective journey. It allows you to step out of your daily life and reflect on your past, present and future self. I am not a religious person, but I found a strong sense of faith during my time with ASP. During the time I attended these trips, I was going through a very life altering circumstance in my family life, which put me through a lot of pain and confusion. This journey really taught me how to put things into perspective and understand the importance of leaning on the right people. I will never forget one of the local guitarist who performed a song for us one night and carried out the lyrics, “Love isn’t love until you give it away” which set the tone for our week. Giving away true pieces of you whether it be something measurable or not, ultimately creates a mosaic of all the memories that one holds true to their heart.
When I first saw the worksite, I felt as though I had traveled to a lost time. As if I had stepped into a history textbook to America’s pioneers where coal mines were booming and the idea of a settlers trying to start a new prosperous life. However, this site did not stand the test of time. There was an abandoned coal mine near by, and the trailer a family of five was living in was crumbling at the walls foundation on all four sides, tarps and trash bags were used for walls. The land was littered and reeking of neglect. The floors were eroding and drooped over the solid dirt ground. Deep in the debris there were items that were once working, such as an outdated vacuum cleaner with a floral print bag and a steel swing set. These items stuck with me, reminding me that these items are so old that they have been passed through several generations within the family. I couldn't help but picture this home when it was shiny and new, the walls and floors would have been intact and swings would have been swung. The objects surrounding me were smashed and forgotten. With each passing year, not only have the homes and objects in this hole in the mountain have deteriorated, but the Appalachian lifestyle changed drastically. A place that was once an opportunity for business, wealth, and family has become one of the most poverty stricken places in the country. Looking at the scenic view of the mountains swept artfully across their backyard reminded me why the people wouldn't want to leave this beautiful place they call home.
There was a five year old boy named Josh and his overweight brother Randy running around barefoot in the yard. Seeing such poverty reminds me that the affluent town I grew up in is only a bubble to the rest of the world. Of course I always knew that it existed, but seeing it first hand is an entirely different experience. I met a young girl Amber who was only 16 years old when she dropped out of high school due to an unplanned pregnancy. Unfortunately, the months following her drop out she had a miscarriage. When I asked her why she did not go back and what she truly wanted to do with her life; She shrugged and told me there was no point in finishing high school. In the span of five years, Amber had three children with an absent father. The grandmother was so depressed in her living conditions, that she mentioned one of the only ways she found meaning in life was through her grandchildren. Although she was ashamed of her withered home and crumbling walls, her blissful grandchildren were ignorant to it. She expressed her longing of feeling young and beautiful, and that her grandchildren are what she lives for. Ambers family of five depends on $500 a month from the government, and honestly believed she could never make a living of her own. It would be easier for this family to qualify for aid, rather than seek any type of employment. This just goes to show how conspicuously your fate can be beyond your control.
During the week long labor working on the siding of the trailer, the brightest face caught my eye through the rusted and cracked window. Josh was peeking his blue eyes out of the window sill. I lifted my hand to wave and he stuck his hand on the glass. I placed my hand on top of his, and the thoughts of our parallel lives were flashing through my mind. He sat in the comfort of his home, the only place he knows. Here I was standing, on the outside looking in trying to fathom a lifestyle I hardly knew existed. In the moments that rain poured a thick layer of mud on our worksite or when the job seemed too heavy for the group to complete, I pictured that small face looking out at us. I knew confidently that this job had to be completed in time, to make these lives at least more comfortable. This drove me to pound every nail into the siding a bit faster and dig my hands and knees into the dirt a little deeper. At the end of our time, at the worksite, we would stay the extra hours until we could step back and see the finished product. It was our job to make their lives a little bit warmer and safer.
Being of service to others allows people to step outside of their own head and realize the bigger problems of the world. While respectively acknowledging these problems, it is important to not place judgments rather to accept all different walks of life. Service is something I want to continue my entire life, as ASP has helped to teach me to enjoy lives simplicity.
If anyone is interested in getting involved, find more information at their website! https://www.asphome.org/about/
