Our First 8-week series: What I learned

Concluding Our First Series of Workshops with Afghani Refugees: The Power of Small Acts

As we wrapped up our first series of workshops with Afghani refugees, a moment of reflection brought me face to face with a question that had been lingering in my mind. I once thought to myself, "15 people to the thousands who face this struggle doesn't solve the problem. I'm not sure it even affects the problem." For a moment, I was swayed by this thought. Was my impact too small to be important?

Driving home that day, I couldn't shake the question. As a person who often relies on numbers to measure success, I began to wonder if numbers could truly capture the value of our work. Then, a memory from my childhood surfaced, shedding light on the situation.

A Lesson from the Past

Years ago, my grandfather, an immigrant struggling with English and technology, asked for my help. Eager to assist, I taught him simple words and basic tech shortcuts. The first time he confidently changed his own HDMI or typed a text message in English, his joy was evident. It wasn't just about the action; it was about the independence and confidence he gained.

Over time, I saw my grandfather teaching other elders at the gurdwara what we had practiced. My small act of helping him had a ripple effect, benefiting many others in our community.

Reflecting on Impact

Reflecting on this, I realized that impact isn't about scaling to the biggest numbers. It's about the depth of change in individual lives. Helping 15 people may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but for those 15 individuals, their lives are profoundly altered.

The spark in the eyes of the kids when they successfully send an email is similar to my grandfather's smile when he sends a text. It told me I was making a meaningful difference.

Shifting Perspectives

As I pondered the skeptic's question, my perspective shifted. The need to prove my worth through outreach statistics seemed materialistic. It’s about focusing on helping those 15 people as much as I can. Teaching my grandfather had been a small act, but its effects were far-reaching. The same is true for our Afghani Refugee project.

I returned to my work with renewed conviction. Each lesson, each student mattered. The skeptic’s question had prompted me to challenge the notion that bigger is always better. It led me to understand that little acts are just as important as big ones.

The Lesson

In the end, it’s not about the numbers. It’s about the lives touched, the creative sparks ignited, and the hope kindled. Helping fifteen people may seem small to some, but I know that numbers cannot quantify the ripple effect that occurs far beyond what we can see.

The little things are what matter most, so do not get wrapped up in scaling impact. Every contribution counts, no matter how small it may seem. Your support can create ripples of