My name is Umar Ahmed Badami. I am 9 years old. I am in 5^th grade. I enjoy rock collecting and coin collecting. I also enjoy dedicating time to serve my charity. It is called Share the Care.

2. What kind of service do you do and how does it help the environment, economy, etc.?

Share the Care provides medical supplies to hospitals and care to patients in developing nations. We are currently working on providing surgeries to poor patients in these nations. The doctors STC works with are volunteering their services for free; donations are used to pay for the hospital room, equipment, and nurses/staff, as well as post-operative care. All of the patients are from the lowest levels of society, and are unable to support themselves because of their health conditions. Share the Care tries to collect donations that will make as many surgeries happen as possible and get these patients cured.

STC indirectly affects the economy, because people who are in bad health usually cannot work that well. They have very limited sources of income, and are usually dependent on others for help. Improving their health provides poor people with a chance to earn some money and get on with their lives. With time, these people may be able to improve their socioeconomic conditions by becoming productive members of their economies. One surgery can make a difference in the lives of many people!

Copyright STC 2011

3. What inspired you to pursue your service?

Family members who are doctors travel often to less-developed countries to volunteer their services. On one such trip, I found out about hospital conditions in a rural part of Uganda. The conditions were horrific and I decided to set up a charity to help.

4. What are some of your daily tasks?

Checking emails and talking to potential donors. I do this at every chance I get.

5. What is the one thing you most enjoy about your tasks?

The most exciting part of my day is when someone makes a donation to STC. That means I can call up a doctor and help someone else regain health back on the other side of the world.

6. What is the most challenging part of your job?

Getting donations is the biggest challenge. You have to find donors who are willing to help.

7. Was the process of getting involved in your service easy or a bit more difficult?

When I decided to do it, I did it. It wasn’t that hard.

8. Do you have any advice for students pursuing service similar or identical to yours?

You need to be persistent and constantly working towards your goal. Don’t give up: it’s the best thing to help others!

Categories: Community Service Showcase, School