Unscripted Magazine Spring 2024 - Flipbook - Page 46
LOVING & LEARNING
A
nushka Konka, a senior pre-med student
me really lifted her spirits,” Anushka said. “You don’t
at the University of Pittsburgh, began
always know what someone is going through, and I
volunteering with Messiah Lifeways when she was
realized then that one conversation really can make
in the eighth grade—eight years ago. At least once a
a big difference.”
week during the summers and breaks in the academic
year, she still visits the Messiah Village campus and
A G I F T T H AT K E E P S G I V I N G
volunteers her time.
Upon graduating from the University of Pittsburgh,
Anushka plans to attend a medical school to
FEELS LIKE HOME
potentially pursue a career in interventional
“I’ve been volunteering here for such a long time—most
radiology or a similar area of medical specialty.
of my life, really—and I keep coming back because
Through volunteering with Messiah Lifeways, Anushka
I feel at home here,” Anushka said. “It doesn’t even
has not only nurtured her love for others but she’s
feel like I’m working as a volunteer anymore. It’s like
also gained valuable life skills that she believes will
I’m coming home from college and spending time with
be transferable to medicine—including learning how to
people who feel like friends and family.”
communicate across barriers like hearing or vision loss.
Anushka primarily volunteers alongside team members
“It’s not as challenging as it may seem to make
who coordinate neighborhood activities—sometimes
adjustments that help people feel included who
completing a puzzle with residents, working through a
otherwise might be isolated,” she said. “I’ve even
word game, or treating several ladies to newly painted
had to use a whiteboard before to communicate
nails. But her favorite part is after the activities are
with a resident, and it didn’t affect our ability to
finished when she can spend time talking one-on-one
connect. That’s a lesson and a skill I hope to
with residents.
leverage throughout my life.”
One particular conversation she had with a resident
While she’s not sure where her studies will
still sticks with her. The two talked about the resident’s
geographically take her next, Anushka hopes
fond memories of growing up on a farm and whatever
to continue volunteering here for as long and
else spontaneously came to mind.
as often as she’s able.
“I was surprised when her son called her one day
"Even if it's just a few times a year, the people here
during one of my visits, and she asked me to speak
make it hard to not want to keep coming back,"
on the phone with him. He told me she was having a
Anushka said.
rough week and that his mom told him that talking to
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