I remember the moment I told my parents I would be spending another year – my third year – as a BVSer with the non-profit organization Trees for Life. My father said, "Well, it sounds like Trees for Life is getting a real bargain out of you. They only have to give you room, board and a little monthly stipend and you work in whatever area they need you." While I didn't say anything at the time, I thought, "No, Dad, it's me who's getting the real bargain, for I am doing exactly what I wish to do with my life, and I'm growing in so many ways I didn't realize possible."

After finishing my "career" as a BVSer (4 years with Trees for Life, and one with the Comfort House in McAllen, TX) 3 months ago, I feel this even more strongly now, and can look back upon my career with such gratitude and awe. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to have served in schools for poor children in India for over 2 years.

I never would have dreamt that I would end up teaching animation skills to students and teachers in India, but that's exactly what I did at Umrao Singh Memorial School (USMS) in the city of Allahabad. Trees for Life is exploring ways to use animation, live action video, and interactive software programs as powerful educational tools in Indian schools that are so lacking in educational resources. Although I had no background in animation or video, with Trees for Life I was given the opportunity to explore my latent talents and develop basic animation and video skills to share with the teachers and students at USMS.

Kusum, Anuradha, Neha, and Anita were the 8th class girls at USMS who volunteered to become a team and create their own animations. Ruchi Saxena was the new teacher who offered her time and energy to guide them in creating their own animations. I had spent several months working with Ruchi and several other teachers in the art of creating animations using special computer software. Now this team was working enthusiastic and independently (my only input was giving them the studio key every morning) to create a short animation on the power of working together as a team and caring for our earth.

"Jeff bhaiya, Jeff bhaiya! Aiyeh!" (Jeff brother, Jeff brother! Come!) I heard Kusum yelling to me one morning as I was finishing my breakfast. I thought that they must be having some difficulty with the computer again, as was often the case in this hot dusty, environment. I set my tea aside and walked into the makeshift video studio where the four girls were standing around the TV, each barely able to contain their glee and excitement. Ruchi was seated at the computer and told me to watch the TV that was wired up to the computer she was operating.

We all watched the premiere showing of "Five Friends," a story about how a boy, who is distraught over the destruction of the nearby forest where he plays, is helped by a bird that talks to him. Together with his three friends and the bird they enlist the help of the community and plant seedlings to reforest the land.

As I marveled at their simple paper cut-out animation with its choppy movements and colorful backgrounds, I felt such happiness for these girls and Ruchi. They were feeling such empowerment and joy at having done all of this themselves. It was real empowerment, a model for what could be at not only this school, but for so many others across India and the rest of the globe.

While they clapped and laughed at their animation, I realized that they could be the teachers of this new skill and technology at USMS and other schools. My happiness was growing into a feeling of hope for all such girls and boys throughout the world.

When the video ended I clapped and shouted, "shabash, girls, shabash!" (Great work, girls, great work!)

What a bargain it has been. Hardly a day passes without my marveling at and giving thanks for this bargain of serving as a BVSer with Trees for Life in India. The opportunity to develop my intellect and spirit, and the platform on which to share knowledge and hope with others, leave me eternally grateful for my career with these two organizations dedicated to serving humankind.