Story of a Member: Van Au, buildOn Lead Member

Interview & Article by: Renetta Trotman, buildOn Lead Member, Bodine High School

August 2008

My name is Van Au. I currently attend J.R Masterman high school. I am in tenth grade and in three more months I will be 16. I enjoy running cross-country, reading, hanging out with friends and helping others. I am very open minded, determined to strive for excellence and I love to eat and try new things. I am Vietnamese and bilingual. I love life and the opportunity to give. My family and friends are very supportive of everything I do and myself.

I recently joined buildOn because I love discovering new things and interacting with new people. I also learn valuable lessons and ethics from my work and I like to take risks.

buildOn has changed me in many ways. It has helped me to believe in myself and expect the unexpected. I now have no limitations because buildOn has broadened my perspectives. buildOn exposed me to many different modes of transportation and routes. I comprehend my city more and I can now find all kinds of places. buildOn has helped me to be optimistic and see how much of a difference I can make towards my community despite my limits. buildOn has shown me that people are very thankful for my help. I am willing to volunteer because I get the chance to meet amazing people with great personalities.

I believe that I’ve made a difference but in small ways. Whether or not my change was big or small it still impacted the lives of others.  When I see their faces, I realize that they are very grateful and so I receive a warm, comforting and rewarding feeling after each service project. Their gratefulness shows that what I did was worthwhile and not meaningless. When you help someone it’s a kind gesture and that is enough of a "difference" to me.