<p>No way in hell I told my mother. My parents were forcing me to go on their annual trip to India with them because they believed I lost connection with my roots. To make matters worse they wanted me to work for my grandfather, the mayor of Calcutta. I was to work in sales the entire summer to contribute to my grandfathers philanthropic project of sending underprivileged Muslims to Hajj, the pilgrimage to the city of Makkah required of all Muslims. I reluctantly agreed to help out, mostly because I was stuck with my grandfather and there was nothing else to do. However during my trips to the store, I began to see, really see, the overwhelming poverty around me. I remember seeing a little boy so skinny you could see his bones with nothing on except a red garment covering his private areas. It was hot, muddy and he was surrounded by water filled with feces, yet in the midst of such terrible circumstances, I witnessed a faith in God beyond comprehension. I was in awe, how could someone with so little still be so little be so loyal? The strength of his faith was the greatest motivating factor I could have asked for. So many people in that little boys exact situation will never experience Hajj, one of the most joyous parts of being Muslim, just because they dont have the money; and there are much less deserving people who go just to prove their religiosity to the world.
I started working extra hours at the store, and even got another job at my uncles motorcycle shop. My job was just to help out with American tourists because I spoke English a lot better than most of the other workers. Although I started the summer counting the minutes until I could come home, I never worked so hard in my life. I thought I worked so hard that I had enough money to send the entire country of India to Hajj. In the end, though, my earnings added up to around 30,000 rupees which turns into roughly 700 U.S. dollars! Although that is only enough to send one person to Hajj I was proud of that contribution. That trip honestly changed my perspective on life, now I dont volunteer at areas that will look good on paper such as a hospital where they have you file meaningless papers just so you can be doing something, instead I quit the hospital and went to work for Islamic relief. Now I know I am making a difference by helping with food drives, donating blood and doing other charity events. So no matter what career I eventually choose, I now know I want it to have a direct impact on peoples lives. Thats how I want to live, I want to have control of my life and do it as big as I possibly can without losing sight of the people less fortunate than me.</p>
<p>you could of course send it. but in you r essay you seem like an all-knowing-father-figure. id try and improve it if i were you. no offence intended mate. hope you make it to the colleges you aspire. best of luck.</p>
<p>btw are you from calcutta? im currently living here.</p>
<p>thanks for the input, and my parents are from there but i was born here in the U.S., i visit calcutta every now and then</p>
<p>awesomeness.</p>