My activism was once all social media and hashtags. Volunteering in one of the world’s poorest countries rewrote my entire perspective.

Before I took the plunge to volunteer in a developing country, my activism was limited to the comfort of my home, in front of a screen.

I voiced my opinions on world issues, retweeted hashtag campaigns, and endorsed online petitions. It felt like I was making a difference from the cozy confines of my New York apartment.

Living in one of the wealthiest cities in the world offered me a certain level of detachment from the real issues faced by millions globally.

I knew about poverty, hunger, and lack of education, but it was from documentaries, news articles, and infographics. There was always a virtual barrier between me and these harsh realities.

The decision to volunteer in one of the world’s poorest countries came on a whim after stumbling upon an online ad. Before I knew it, I was on a 20-hour flight to Sierra Leone with nothing but determination and a suitcase full of apprehension.

Arriving at Freetown, I felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. The stark contrast between my privileged life in New York and the realities on the ground here was jarring.

This wasn’t about retweeting a hashtag or signing an online petition; I was face-to-face with the issues I had only previously experienced through a screen.

The locals greeted me with warmth and curiosity. Their resilience and spirit despite their circumstances were both humbling and inspiring.

Over time, interacting with them, understanding their stories, their struggles, their victories, changed my perspective completely.

The transition from hashtag activism to hands-on volunteering wasn’t easy. It challenged my beliefs and tested my resilience. It also made me realize how detached and superficial my understanding of real-world issues had been.

Now that I’m back in New York after two years in Sierra Leone, it feels like a different city. It’s been over two years since I returned, but every day is still a struggle to reconcile my old life with the lessons learned during my time in Sierra Leone.

Here’s how my journey from being a hashtag activist to a hands-on volunteer in one of the world’s poorest countries rewrote my perspective on activism, privilege, and empathy.

From hashtag activism to hands-on volunteering

Transitioning from a social media activist to a hands-on volunteer was like trading a familiar book for an unknown journey. My first task was to teach English to children at a local school.

Every morning, I walked the red-dusty roads of Freetown, past bustling markets and shanty homes, to reach the school. The children greeted me with bright smiles that shone through their torn uniforms and bare feet.

In the beginning, I struggled with the language barrier, the cultural differences, and the lack of resources. The reality of teaching in a classroom without electricity or enough textbooks was a far cry from the comfort of my air-conditioned New York apartment.

Despite these challenges, the children’s eagerness to learn was infectious. I saw them making the most out of limited resources, their eyes lighting up with every new word they learned. Their determination pushed me to adapt and become a better teacher for them.

During my two years in Sierra Leone, I experienced firsthand the issues that I had only previously read about. I saw how poverty strangled opportunities, how hunger stifled growth, and how lack of education trapped generations in a vicious cycle.

Returning to New York after this life-changing journey, I felt a sense of disconnection with my old self. The woman who once believed that activism was all about trending hashtags and viral campaigns was gone.

Now, every time I tweet or share a post about an issue close to my heart, it’s not just another hashtag for me. It’s a real memory, a real face, a real story.

Challenging the surface level activism

Before my experience in Sierra Leone, my understanding of activism was, I now realize, quite shallow.

I believed that sharing posts, retweeting, and joining online campaigns were enough to make a difference. It felt like I was contributing to change just by being part of the social media noise.

But living in Sierra Leone, I saw that real issues needed real actions. Hashtags and retweets could bring attention to an issue, but they could not feed a hungry child or provide a safe space for a girl to learn.

I saw people struggling with problems that needed immediate actions and solutions. For them, waiting for a hashtag to trend or for an online campaign to take effect was not an option.

My perspective shifted drastically.

I realized that activism wasn’t just about creating awareness; it was about taking direct action. It was about getting your hands dirty, stepping out of your comfort zone and making a tangible difference in the world.

It’s not that social media activism doesn’t have its place – it absolutely does. It can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and advocacy.

But it’s not the whole picture. Real change comes from real actions – actions that are often challenging, uncomfortable, and far from glamorous.

Taking concrete steps for change

Confronted with the realization that my previous approach to activism was surface-level, I knew I needed to step up.

But how? The answer was in taking concrete actions, no matter how small they may seem.

Firstly, I knew I wanted to continue helping the children in Sierra Leone. So, I started a small non-profit organization in New York aimed at sending educational resources to Sierra Leone.

We started small, with friends and family contributing books, stationery, and funds.

Today, our non-profit has grown. We’ve managed to send over a thousand books and hundreds of school supplies to Sierra Leone. It’s not a hashtag trending on Twitter, but it’s making a real difference in the lives of those children.

Next, I began using my social media platforms not just to share posts but to educate and motivate others to take action. I shared stories of the children I taught, their struggles and their victories. I used my platform to raise funds for our non-profit and other similar initiatives.

If you’re reading this and you’ve been an armchair activist like me, know that it’s never too late to start making a real difference.

Start small – donate, volunteer locally, or even better, start your own initiative. Use your social media reach not just for hashtags but for meaningful dialogues and action-oriented campaigns.

In the end, it’s not about how many likes or retweets you get; it’s about the impact you make in someone’s life.

Remember that real change comes from real actions. And every action counts, no matter how small it may seem.

Embracing self-empowerment and challenging societal expectations

Upon reflection, my journey from hashtag activism to hands-on volunteering taught me some invaluable life lessons.

Firstly, I learned the importance of taking responsibility.

I could have continued my hashtag activism, blaming the system for not creating enough change. But by acknowledging that I could do more, I took control of the situation. This mindset has empowered me in other aspects of my life too.

Secondly, I learned to think for myself.

It’s easy to follow the crowd, to do what society expects of us. But when you step back and question these societal norms and expectations, you start living life on your terms.

I was dissatisfied with my online activism, but I had to face the reality of my situation. I had to understand the external influences and societal conditioning that led me to believe that my online activism was enough.

I pursued my own ambition – to make a real difference – not an externally imposed one. This journey of self-exploration reshaped my reality.

Here’s a summary of what this journey taught me:

– Take responsibility for your situation.
– Learn to think for yourself.
– Acknowledge your current dissatisfaction or struggles.
– Avoid blind positivity; face the reality of your situation.
– Pursue personal ambitions and desires, not externally imposed ones.
– Seek self-empowerment by breaking free from societal expectations.

This journey was not easy, but it was worth it. It allowed me to align my life with my true nature and make a tangible difference in the world.

At the end of the day, the journey is as important as the destination. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it shape you into a better version of yourself.