Neriah Dunkley

Volunteering at the Central Kitchen opened my eyes to the true dedication and hard work that it takes for others to help those in need. From sanitation procedures to making the food itself.

An important observation I made while doing this activity was the important understanding of allergens and sanitation. In biology we learn as students that allergens are specific proteins and molecules that affective the entirety of an individuals immune system. And the same can be said about sanitation within ones environment because it breaks down organic waste, biofilms, and reduces microorganisms within our food.

Working with The Black Girls House pushed me to look deeply into the pollution within our communities. When I thought I was done with one section, I found a new pile underneath it. That was the sole issue that further strengthened my understanding of the world around us.

Pollution breaks down the ecosystem that we and many other organisms interact with and depend on. It causes issues such as a lack of decomposition and animals’ consumption of it, effectively and unfortunately obstructing the very environment that moves us forward.

Volunteering on this farm was a very interesting and impactful experience for me.
From start to finish there were both historical facts, African herbal remedies, and biological processes occurring simultaneously.
As students we first, watched decomposition occur with the compost that they created out of a non-chemical based fertilizer: vegetables, fruits, and more. While noting this process, our guide pointed out active condensation occurring due to high levels of heat.
Later on, as we were picking decaying leaves so that our guide could harvest the left over
"bitter leaves" plant we came into contact with adaptation through species like frogs and spiders camouflaging within the leaves and dirt, which I believe is very applicable within Biology and what I have learned thus
far.