Meet Abigail Zielinski: International Volunteer
Meet one of our newest international volunteers, Abigail Zielinksi! Abigail is the second oldest of eight children. She has her bachelors of science from Daemen College in Buffalo, NY, and has been working in a small rural hospital for two years as a medical surgical nurse. Read on to learn what brought her to CMMB and what her hopes are for her CMMB experience.
Where is home? Arcade, New York
Education: I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing from Daemen College and an Associates of Science from Trocaire College. I hope to study pediatrics and neonatal health so that I can work with children in the future.
CMMB volunteer position: I will be working as a nurse at the Mutomo Mission Hospital in Kenya!
If you were asked to sum yourself up in two words, which two would you choose? Dedicated and responsible.
Why CMMB? After college I started looking into missions as a way to use what I learned to help those around me, to give my talents back to God, and to repay him for the gifts he has given me. When I was looking for a mission group I wanted to commit to a longer term mission trip (not something that was only a week long). I chose CMMB because their mission lines up with my beliefs and because they offer long term placement. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and learn how to care for the needs of the community. I would also like to enhance my communication skills.
You are having a dinner party. Which three people (living or dead) do you invite? One person would be my Grandfather, Joseph Zielinski, who died before I was born. I would like to have had the opportunity to meet him. Mother Teresa is another person I would like to invite. I would love to hear first hand about her work in the field and learn more about her strength and faith. The last person would be St. John Paul II. He lived through some crucial times in history and retained his faith. I would like to learn more about his life story.
What is your go-to karaoke song? “I Can Only Imagine,” by Mercy Me
What is your hope for your experience volunteering with CMMB? My hope for my experience with CMMB is to learn how to help people in need and to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures. I also hope to gain a deeper understanding of myself, and how God works in all of our lives.
What book should everyone read? Why? One book that every one should read is the Bible. The Bible has a story for everyone, there are so may adventures to read and lessons to learn. There is something for everyone. It teaches with compassion, like Christ, that everyone can learn. The Bible also shows us the way to salvation.
What is your hope for the future? My hope for the future is to have a family of my own, to be married and have children. I also hope to be able to help others who are in need, especially children who have no one in their lives to care for them. I hope to show children, even if it is only a few, that they are loved and they are special.
If you could solve one world problem, what would it be? If there was one world problem that I could solve it would be childhood poverty. Every child deserves a roof over their head, adequate food and water, and the opportunity to learn.
What are the three things you are most grateful for? Three things that I am most grateful for are my family who love and support me, the freedom to believe and share my faith, and the ability to learn.