By: Paula Luengos
Salesian Summer Camp Volunteer from Spain

Last week we shared the experience of Paula when she first came to the Salesian community and the Salesian Family Youth Center.  This week Paula tells us about her experience at Camp Salesian, and how she won the weekly recognition award of the best head staff member, the Headmaster Award.  Paula writes:

It was on July 1^st, and I was seated in the Lakers Room at the Salesian Family Youth Center and listening to an excerpt on Maria Goretti´s life.  As someone read a quote by Goretti, I suddenly thought, “What if she is actually speaking about me?”  But I decided to just let it go because it probably had no reference to me.   But as soon as the person finished reading, she called my name, and I couldn’t believe it. I realized I had done quite a bit of work, but I would never have thought that I was going to be considered for the Headmaster Award. The first thing I said was, “Is this for real?”  I was shocked.

I wanted to express my feelings and thoughts, but I was too nervous.   The only thing I could say was “Thank you”.  But now I got the opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings.

The opportunity of ministering at Camp Salesian is making my dreams come true. I can’t thank everyone enough for allowing me to be a part of this ministry. Doing what I like the most and being surrounded by amazing people who make my life happier is a complete blessing.

My mission is to be there for everyone who needs help, especially the young. And that’s why I helped my friends with their sessions when I was free, went on field trips with girls, and served them meals in the kitchen… Because I always knew what my job was.

I feel grateful for receiving this award, but for me the best reward in life is the smile and the dedication of a kid.

I haven’t been this happy in a very long time and that’s on all of you. I want to thank again everyone who’s part of the Salesian Family Youth Center because each one of us contributes with little actions and achieves big goals in each other’s lives.

One of the feelings that I experienced that day was that I was grateful for feeling happy and energized because my work had meaning in people’s lives.  I also wanted to develop a new attitude in myself. I wanted to feel completely happy and fulfilled without having other’s recognition.

As soon as I got home, I needed to speak with JC and let him know all the worries I had. I burst into tears because I realized that I hadn’t felt so much joy in a very long time.