The Aftermath of an Unforgettable Adventure: A Letter from an A.C.S. Student to Borderlands

There could be a thousand and one possible titles for this paper. It could be: The Misery of Being Back Home. It could also be: How Much We Miss Borderland’s Breads, Eggs & Sausages. But these are all possibilities that guard one truth, and that is how much the program has changed us all in such a short amount of time.

            

Now—I could go on and on about all the adventures we’ve done and all the fun adversities we’ve faced, but these aren’t the points of this reflection. This reflection is to show how much the program that you (the staff) have provided us that made us all more open and adventurous young adults. I’m sure that no one had one clue how much we will change when we all first walked into the Borderland camp. Apart from the screeches and squeals that were heard from both girls and boys alike, we have never felt more secure and united as one in these four to five days spent at camp. If you could just see us now, if you could just see how your efforts have touched all our hearts… I mean, you could even notice the many changes in us! Everyone absentmindedly lends someone his hand to help, people who you never except to talk to you come up and say hi, but above all, everyone is serene, open, and happy.

The Borderland program is a cherished adventure that didn’t just change us positively as a community but also marked our individuality. Speaking from my own personal point of view, I think Borderland has taught me that there is so much more to life than sitting home and being lazy. There’s a vast, beautiful world out there to satisfy your hunger for adventure, and why would you miss all the opportunities you are given in life? 

There are so many things to be done, so many Windows of Opportunities to be opened if you could just simply try. For example, one of the many things Borderlands has taught me is how just two small bake sale events could raise such money and provide underprivileged citizens with necessities they need. Oh forget about materialism, I will never forget how both the students and we were so happy. Such small acts of kindness could make such large communities overjoyed! So why not keep on helping others?

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I really don’t want to bore you anymore with crazy talk, but I would just like to thank and acknowledge the staff members, who without them we wouldn’t have stepped out of our comfort zones, got closer to each other, are more open to people and opportunities, and are not afraid to go on adrenaline-rushing adventures. In the end, thank you for making us all grow positively. I hope you keep inspiring other children and leaving a mark in their hearts like the one you left in ours. Thank you for everything, we will never forget you or the adventure you have kindly given us.

Love always,

Sima Bu Jawdeh

P.S.: We miss you Yohan, Nirmal, Kiki, Ken, Indika, Wade, and everybody else!! Much love and kisses from ACS! Take care and keep on inspiring!