Kindness is the characteristic that I value most about myself. I believe this characteristic will help me in my life journey because I put others' needs before my own instead of being selfish. Kindness is not just about going out of my way to see other people smile. It's about making sacrifices to improve the lives of others. Many believe that showing kindness requires something big. During my life, I've come to realize that small things are what make a big difference. Whether it is providing emotional support, or just holding the door open for someone confined to a wheelchair...I go out of my way to change the lives of others one small step at a time. Ever since I was a child, I was always willing to help others in need. As much as I'd like to take the credit for learning to be kind, it was not through my efforts. Growing up in the church groomed me to be an individual to go the extra mile for others, even when I don't have the resources to do so. My faith in God allows me to know He will provide for myself and others. I indulge in these acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. Expecting something in return would not be considered an act of kindness. I believe this selfless attitude will assist me in my life journey. As an engineering student about to graduate from college, you'd believe that my main goal in life is to be successful in my career. Instead, my main goal is to grow in character and live a life that may be pleasing to God. This is my life journey. People believe that problems of world hunger and homelessness can only be solved with monetary value. These problems can simply be solved with selfless acts of kindness, by caring for those who require it. The average American spends $25 a week on fast food, while they still have food at home to eat. Homeless individuals have neither money, food, nor a home to call their own. Instead of spending those 25 dollars on myself, I contribute it to others who are in need. Small decisions such as these are what make a big difference for others. Granting this scholarship to me would not only help me finish college but also provide for those who are less fortunate. Thank you for your time and consideration. God Bless!

Imagine having the heart to provide anything for anyone in need, but to do so, you’d have to make sacrifices for yourself. That is my life. As a Christian, it’s my objective to care for those in need. I make this possible by putting others first. Due to this, I have countless examples of helping people…but there are two which are my favorite. (1st example) I noticed a homeless man sitting on the floor being rejected. He asked me if I had anything to give. I looked at his feet and noticed his shoes were destroyed. I asked him his shoe size and bought him boots and socks. Once I handed him his new boots and a meal from Burger King, he was extremely thankful. On thanksgiving, I knew he would not have anyone to have dinner with, so I bought him his favorite meal from Burger King and handed him a $100. As I saw the tears form in his eyes, I reminded him to stay strong and make good use of the money. Before winter arrived, I made the decision to get him a warm coat. Once I gave him the coat, he tried it on, but it was too small. I made the trip back to the coat factory even though it was 30 minutes away, and got the largest size available. He tried it on and it was perfect for him. I continue to help this person when I can. (2nd example) At my church, there is a mentally ill young man. He is 20 years old, but behaves as if he is 7 years old. This combined with symptoms of ADHD makes it extremely difficult for him to make friends. He was lonely, overlooked, and made fun of. The feeling of him being left out and mistreated did not sit well with me. If I felt this way, imagine how his younger brother felt, as he was the one taking care of him when his mom was not around. I explained to their mom that I was tired of seeing them unhappy and being overlooked, and that I wanted to spend time with them. She was brought to tears and wanted to pay me…but I told her there is no need to. With her permission , I picked them up from their house. They kept asking me where we’re going, but I kept it a surprise. As we arrived to a shopping mall, I informed them that anything they wanted, I would get for them. They became happy in disbelief, as they thought Christmas came early. I bought them video games, gaming consoles, clothes, sneakers, gift cards, and even food to eat after. I brought them home and they thanked me and showed their mom what I got them. Seeing how much I spent, she took out her checkbook and tried to pay me again, but I refused to let her pay me. During my time with the boys, the younger brother asked me some daring questions, such as, “how can you afford to buy all of this”, “why are your shoes so beat up”, “why is your car door broken.” I explained to him I can buy you guys these things because money I could spend on myself…I save to help others in need. This is how a college student in debt affords to provide for others. While my shoes have holes in them, I buy shoes for others. While my stomach is hurting from starvation, I buy meals for others. Thank you for your time and consideration. God Bless!

First off, I’d like to start of by thanking Jameela Jamil for this opportunity. All my life, I have put others needs before my own, but it was my freshman year of college that I met a homeless person who’s life needed to be changed immediately. This is the first time I’m telling this story, because I don’t like the idea of others thinking I’m bragging of how much I help others. As I walked from the parking lot into the store, I noticed a homeless man sitting on the floor; being rejected as he asked others for money. As I got closer, he asked me if I had anything to give. I didn’t have cash, but I told him I could buy him anything he needs. He asked for a meal from Burger King, but I knew he needed more than just that. I looked at his feet and noticed his shoes were torn and worn. I asked him his shoe size and went across to the sport store to buy him some boots and socks. Once I handed him his new boots and his meal, he was extremely thankful. From then on, anytime I went to that store, I always made sure I had something to give to him. The next time I saw him, it was thanksgiving. I knew he would not have anyone to have dinner with on thanksgiving, so I bought him his favorite meal from Burger King and handed him a $100. As I saw the tears form in his eyes, I reminded him to stay strong and make good use of the money. You may be asking, how could a college student afford to give a homeless person $100 dollars. I did so by starving myself during the week and not spending money on myself. My stomach was in pain all the time, but knowing that I could help this homeless person provided me relief. Once it started to get cold, I began to think about this homeless person and how cold they must be. I could not sleep at night knowing that he was outside, while I was inside with warmth. I made the decision to buy him the biggest and warmest coat I could get him. The special coat factory I bought it from was 30 minutes away. Once I gave him the coat, he tried it on, but it was too small. I made the trip back to the coat factory even though it was far, and got the largest size available. He tried it on and it was perfect for him. I continue to support this homeless person and even pray for him. Lately with student loans and school tuition up to my neck, it has been difficult to support this homeless person and even myself. If I am awarded this scholarship, it would not only help me, but also the homeless man I support and all the others who need help. Thank you for your time and consideration. God Bless