By Chris Olson
Fourteen students who went to the Dominican Republic with $10,000 and their time to donate came back with both memories and a new perception of Canada.
The Immaculata high school students spent the past year fund-raising and preparing for the trip.
The students lived in poverty with host families in the sugar cane settlement of Consuelo from March 9 to 15.
Maria Pavic, a Grade 12 student who went on the trip, says she was amazed by the friendly reception they received.
“The first thing they said to you was, ‘Welcome, you’re my Canadian family,’ and tears just come down your face,” she says. “It was definitely a big shock. I think it’s (our) whole materialistic society compared to them. Flashy cars, and shoes are not really important, it’s just your friends and family.”
Roger Dore, one of the two teachers who supervised the trip agreed.
He says Canadian society is much more based on individuals, with everyone having their own phones, and doing their own things.
Dore says the real difference was, “the simplest activity became a group activity, (in the Dominican.)”
Katie Sepahi, an OAC student at Immaculata, was more struck by the difference between Canadian students and their Dominican counterparts.
“We (Canadians) tear ourselves away from home, drag ourselves to class, and we try and sleep through class, we don’t really enjoy school,” she says. “But down there, they’re running toward school, they love it.”
Dore concurs. “I think their value of education, and how much they want to learn, it’s probably one of their biggest hopes in doing something else, or maybe getting a career.”
The $10,000 raised went to the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who have been doing mission work in the Dominican Republic for 50 years.
The money will help fund the different endeavours the Grey Sisters are working on.
Sepahi listed rural schools, high schools, the re-opening of a medical clinic and the beginnings of a cultural centre as some of their work.
She says she was amazed at what the Sisters had accomplished in their time, and was grateful to help.
“What (the Sisters) accomplished, was more inspiring than anything I’ve seen in my life. They’ve made huge changes,” says Sepahi.
“It seems mind boggling to think that this little group of women is doing it all. It’s something I want to continue to pursue.”
Pavic agrees wholeheartedly. “I just want to help, do more fundraising, send even more money, so the Sisters can continue with their work.”
For now, the students will continue with meetings to reflect on their trip and deal with how they feel.
Dore says they are also looking at establishing a social justice group at the school so that they can do more fundraising to send more money to the Grey Sisters.
He says once the next school year starts, he will begin preparations to send another group of Immaculata students back to the impoverished nation, in two years’ time.
That’s something Pavic is glad to see.
“I want to make sure our experience is not discontinued with us at our school, because it was an awakening for all of us, and I think that everyone should have that experience.”