Main photo: The HHS ME to WE team (front from left) Julia Huggins, Kaiya Roberson, Megan Simson, Grace Gates, Gavin Campbell, Sydney Austrup, Sophia Andrew-Joiner, Madi Buck; (back from left) Sara Russell, teachers Vanessa Taylor and Nico Byl, David Buchanan, Kyle Campbell, Matt Joiner, Ryan Taylor, the team’s jungle guide Carlos Diaz (on Ryan’s shoulders), Kyoka Stone, Ethan Larose, Cassie Campbell, and Teagen Bennett. (supplied)
Education doesn’t always happen in a classroom, nor is it limited to what can be found in a text book.
Huntsville High School (HHS) students involved in the school’s ME to WE group have the opportunity each year to travel to developing countries to participate in service projects. ME to WE is a Canadian social enterprise founded 20 years ago, and says that its volunteer trips encourage critical thinking and responsibility as a global citizen.
This year, 20 HHS students, accompanied by teachers Vanessa Taylor and Nico Byl, ventured to Ecuador and stayed at Minga Lodge which is in the middle of the Amazon jungle.
When students work with WE villages, they are given the chance to take action in one of five pillars—education, water, health, food and opportunity.
The HHS WE team chose to help build a school during their 10-day trip in order to help local children learn better and create friendships.
“My goal has always been to push myself to impact the lives of others and make myself a stronger individual,” said team member Madi Buck. “But it is not until you actually get to experience one of these trips and know the real meaning and impact you can have on peoples’ lives.”
On their first day in Ecuador, the team stopped in Quito, the capital of the country, for a night and then walked around to learn all about the history of the city. They got to play games in a park with a local family and even ate dinner in one of the churches they learned about.
The next day was a travel day to Minga, which took seven hours by bus and then 20 minutes by canoe along the Napo River. And then it was time to get to work.
Above, left: The ME to WE team with their river transportation.
Above, right: HHS ME to WE team members Sydney Austrup (left) and Madi Buck shovel gravel for the school build in Ecuador. (supplied photos)
“One day after working on site we went to the farmland and met the family that brought ME to WE to the Amazon all because their daughter had passed away from unclean drinking water. Their story touched everyone on the team in a different way,” said Buck.
In their down time, the team interacted with local children, danced and listened to music with members of the community, played soccer, made bracelets with a group of local women, and visited a chocolate farm.
On their last day in the community, the team built the pathway that will lead to the feature health centre.
“This trip was life changing and eye opening for many of us,” said Buck. “Every day there was something new that caught us off guard, made us think and inspired us to work harder and to strive to be better people not only on the trip but when we arrive home as well and to not take things for granted.”
Fellow team member Sydney Austrup added, “The trip was amazing. The work was hard, I do have to say, but it was so worth it. The kids at the school were so happy that we were there and it was an all-around great experience.”
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BETTY FULTON says
Great to hear ME to WE is still active in H.H.S. I had not heard news of them in several years, a wonderful training ground for students. Thanks to the staff and students who keep this organization front and centre.