Teen volunteers can gain a lot from helping out to serve communities. For example, I am an artist by heart, soul, and practice, but most of my work is either produced for me or maybe for a required school homework. Because I am a student, “professionally”, I have little opportunity to showcase my art work and get feedback. But twice in my life, one experience leading to another, volunteer work made it possible for me to be an artist with a practical use for her audiences and her community.

My first volunteer work happened last summer; I participated in the “Open Hands” trip to Tonggo, Philippines. “Open Hands” is a program for students in Korea to experience volunteering by sharing their talents with Philippian students in rural areas. During the trip I was given the opportunity to paint a mural on a garbage incineration plant next to the Tonggo church/learning center. The mural was of a colorful group of cartoon characters of the likes of Snoopy, penguin and bear. I wanted to bring brightness, lightness, and wonder to the children attending the church/learning center.

When I got back from that trip, another opportunity arose from that experience. I shared my experience of mural painting to my teachers and peers at school, and they pushed me to do one for school, especially on the dilapidated walls on campus. That fall, with the school principal’s blessings, I spent my after-school time painting the murals on our school walls, and I was building up on my “muralist” experience. Volunteer work can teach us, students, the skills and give us the experience we need to build our expertise. Through this “muraling,” I got to build an identity of my own as a painter, muralist, and as a caring creative soul ready for yet another mural that beautifies and brings good energy to any space.