The Girl Scout Gold Award: The Long, Rewarding Journey

Sheena Parimoo
Bridgewater Raritan High School 2008
Bridgewater, NJ

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Although my project was a success, it did have its challenges. The main challenge I faced during the entire process was of convincing people to join! With so many other clubs going on almost always on the same day, trying to schedule the club to fit most peoples’ calendar was indeed a challenge. In addition, once people found out that the club’s agenda was not to eat sandwiches but to make and donate them, some had no interest in joining! I felt that we all had a fridge full of food and could whip up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich any time, whereas these residents could not. I did end up with a very dedicated group of ten girls, who still wanted to continue the club the following year!

Carrying the heavy bags of food supplies back and forth to the classroom at school was indeed pretty difficult as well. However, with the help of my mom to load the bags in the trunk and drive me to school, and with the help of the members to assist me in carrying the trays of sandwiches and some of the supplies after the meeting was over, I was able to transport the materials to and from the area successfully.

I feel that through this project, I was able to touch many peoples’ hearts, satisfy their needs and truly reach out to people in need. Before this project, I was concerned whether I could get the help I needed to fulfill this task. Through the process, I think I learned many things about myself. I learned that I, in fact, did possess good leadership skills. I also learned how to resolve conflicts better and how to stand up for what I believe in despite opposition. I realized that if I worked hard for a good cause, nothing could stop me from achieving my goal. However, the most important and largest impact that the project made was on my school and community. I formed a new club in school that grabbed the attention of those interested and my advisor, a teacher at my school, was very enthusiastic about the club as well. The most successful aspect of my project was its impact on my community, which was my ultimate goal. The sandwiches were delivered to the shelters for snacks and meals and were appreciated very much by the children and adults. The quilt, delivered through United Way was certainly a comforting gift for the family hit by floods and the children and adults who were given yarn and needles and were taught to knit learned a new skill. The students who helped with the sandwiches were engaged in an after school activity as well that brought fulfillment to their lives.

During the summer of 2005, I had an opportunity to travel to South East Asia and observed that poverty was rampant in several areas. I also observed children who were Tsunami victims engaged in menial jobs just for food. My whole outlook of life changed and this is what inspired me to do this project. In general, I feel my Girl Scouts Gold Award project was a success and both a personal and public accomplishment. I will be able to look back on my life and say, “I have helped someone”, because I took care of the immediate needs of shelter such as food and clothing. In addition, I learned how to face and deal with challenges. I am certain that if we do not lean toward the dismissive attitude of thinking, “someone else will do it”, we will be able to accomplish much more. My dream is to continue this while in college on a larger scale and extend it abroad and I hope to inspire teenagers throughout the nation to follow this example.