A young Island woman went to help in the slums of South Africa but came away realizing that help is a two-way journey.
Janelle MacMillan spoke about her experience Tuesday on receiving the 2011 Young Humanitarian award from the P.E.I. division of the Canadian Red Cross.
The presentation was made at a gala dinner held at the Delta hotel in Charlottetown.
"I want people to realize that sometimes we think that it's the underprivileged that really need us but at times we need them," said MacMillan. "They really help us see the little things in life and give us a whole new perspective."
She began traveling at age 17, landing a volunteer placement in South Africa. Seeing orphan children struggling to learn in a small cramped room, she set about building them a school, then another.
"I just want people to know that it is possible," said MacMillan. "I don't want people to think you need money to go away and help other people, because you don't.
"It doesn't matter what age you are or what other things you have going on in your life, if you want to go and you have the desire to, it's quite possible, you can."
After studying business at the University of Prince Edward Island, MacMillan, now age 22, is reading for International Development Studies at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, N.B.
"I think a lot of people misunderstand, thinking that it is so hard to go down there," said MacMillan of her time in Africa. "It's not. It is so easy.
"You go down there and everybody is so welcoming," she said. "The kids are so happy to see anyone. The people in the community are so welcoming and loving.
I don't want people to think you need money to go away and help other people, because you don't. - Janelle MacMillan, 22
"The hardest part for me was coming back from there to here, back to modern-day society, from third world back to first world.
"I had a hard time," said MacMillan. "I missed it so much that I didn't feel comfortable at home so I went back again. I think I will always keep going back."
Also receiving a Red Cross humanitarian award Tuesday was Lori Kane.
"This award is our way of thanking all the people that helped give us money," said Kane.
Through an annual charity golf classic, Kane has raised more than $850,000 for KidSport, Ronald MacDonald Children's Charities, the ALS Society, and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, says her citation.
Kane said that receiving the award had its ups and downs.
"It is uncomfortable, to be totally honest with you, because I'll accept this award but I will only accept it on behalf the hundreds of people that played in the Lori Kane golf classic. I'm just the front person and after that it's just a bunch of people having fun."
Kane hopes that volunteer effort with continue to flourish on P.E.I.
"I think we are the most giving people for the size of our population but a lot of things still go by the wayside," said Kane. "A lot of people don't realize what a couple of dollars here or there can do for people."
The soup kitchen is an example of something that needs constant support, said Kane.
