Personal Narrative: A Career As A Football Team Manager

When I was asked to be the football team manager at my school, I did not know what my duties would be. My job did not have many clear roles, so I created a more contributing manager role. I took a CPR/first-aid training course, researched football-related injuries, and learned to wrap ankles, wrists, knees, etc. I was at practices 3 times a week and at the games. I provided hydration, recorded player info, kept track of gear, aided in pre-game preparation, provided first-aid care, and arranged team meals. Yet, my most vital role was supporting the players. The team learned to trust me, and I established caring friendships. Since I am considering a medical career, aiding hurt players was beneficial. There was a diabetic who needed his blood sugar monitored, a player who had ankle surgery and had to be strapped, a player who had a concussion and needed aid, and countless minor injuries. Having the chance to assist medically was also rewarding, as I felt fulfilled in providing care.
I used to work in my church’s nursery alongside Tigi, an Eritrean woman. Tigi and her Ethiopian husband immigrated to the United States with the hope for a more promising lifestyle. Even though I am also an immigrant, I learned something from Tigi that is true of all people. No matter where we are from (Eritrea for Tigi, Ethopia for her husband, South Africa for me, Peru and the UK for family friend named Jaime and Helen), all people possess the same wants. While, as immigrants, we have all come from different cultures and countries, we have all come for the same reasons and with the same dreams. Everyone desires security, prosperity, and a future. We all yearn for the opportunity to build a prosperous life with our family, and just as Eritrean Tigi made a life in the U.S. with her Ethiopian husband, so was my South African family. I recently returned from a mission trip to Nicaragua. This experience really changed my view on what community really is. On the trip, we did door-to-door evangelism, hosted VBS for the children in the different villages, built a house for a family whose father has lung cancer, and gave out over thirty backpacks with supplies to kids so that they can go to school. We went to two different villages, and both taught me the true meaning of community. By spending time with the children and observing the families, I witnessed how much everyone looked out for each other. I saw mothers taking care of children that were not even theirs, I saw families share what little food they had, and even the older kids of the village watching over the younger ones while the parents were working. To me, this is community--everyone looking out for each other and not leaving anyone alone or helpless. The families of the Nicaraguan villages all selflessly worked together to survive as a community. “You have a wonderful balance of following as well as leading.” This is what one of my close friends wrote to me one week as we were working at a summer kid’s camp, and it is also exactly what I believe I contribute to my service work. …show more content…
After seeing the leader I have grown into over the years, I have reflected on my foundation as an immigrant from Africa and have realized how important it is to be both humble and eager to learn from others who can impart their wisdom with me, while also equipping myself to be a leader and to share my knowledge with others. Witnessing my father's poor health throughout my entire life has also allowed me a sensitivity towards the well being of others and a desire to help those who are in need both physically and emotionally. Being an immigrant from Africa also allows me a unique perspective and dedication to service work, as I have the outlook of an immigrant whose entire family has had to work hard to establish a life in the U.S. My grandfather has been one of the most influential people in my life, and he is who has inspired me to serve. As a pastor, my grandfather was always giving of his time and energy to care for his congregation and always put the needs of other before his own. Although I did not get to