Several local students returned home from the trip of a lifetime last Monday after embarking on a 10-day missions trip of Nicaragua.
The group of 13 students and parents from École des Beaux-Lacs spent 10 nights in San Bonito, a suburb of the Nicaraguan capital of Managua, and helped local residents with the construction of specialized septic systems, assisted agricultural farmers in the region as well as spent time at the village's community school.
The trip was organized by retired schoolteacher Yvonne Veraart and marked the second time in four years that she has led a group of students to the impoverished Central American nation. Speaking to the Nouvelle last week, Veraart said it was such a “rewarding experience” to once again head to Nicaragua and offer help to those that need it.
“This trip was once again just a wonderful experience, both for me and the students in attendance,” Veraart said. “We got as much out of this trip as we gave for sure. As has always been the case, we didn't head to Nicaragua to change things, we went with the idea of getting to know the people better and to help them where we can.”
She added, “It's trips like this that transform you both inside and out. It gives us more of an appreciation of what we have and all the things we take for granted.”
The trip was organized to support Roots of Change, an organization founded by Alberta native Father Denis Hebert. Hebert has been working and developing social pastoral programs amongst impoverished families and communities in the Somotillo region of Nicaragua since 1990.
Hebert met the group upon their arrival in Managua and spoke with them briefly before directing them to their accommodations in San Bonito.
Amongst those partaking in the trip was Eric Gratton, a Grade 10 student at École des Beaux-Lacs. He said he had a lot of fun on the trip and would not hesitate to sign up for a similar experience in the future.
“It was a lot of fun going over to Nicaragua and just seeing how different things are in different parts of the world,” Gratton said. “It was a unique experience for sure. You go over there and you're not in a resort, you're in an area living in real conditions with the dirt floors, bugs everywhere, and some of us didn't have showers or toilets.
“Having said that, despite the (adverse) living conditions, the people over there are so positive and treated us so well. It was awesome.”
Fellow Grade 10 student Catherine Bonneau agreed with Gratton, saying the 10 nights spent in Nicaragua would go down as one of the best experiences of her life.
“I really enjoyed getting to know the people down there and just having the opportunity to take a new view of our world and Canada,” Bonneau said. “I really appreciated seeing just how little these people have, yet how happy they were with what they did have. They did so much with so little.”
She added that the experience would change her outlook on several things and encouraged anybody with an interest in seeing how the world works to look into helping out on a mission trip.
“I really think everybody at some point in their lives should have the opportunity to experience a trip like this,” Bonneau said. “Even if they don't think it's worth it and they don't think they will enjoy it, they will. It's important to see and understand what other countries go through. What you learn and what you come to appreciate when you get home from these trips is incredible.”
And while the main focus of the trip was on doing work and helping the residents of San Bonito, Veraart said she wanted to ensure the students were exposed to the beauty of the country and so she organized several small trips for the students to enjoy.
“This year, I wanted to make sure everybody got a real feel of the country and the true beauty of it, so we did several other things on top of helping,” Veraart said. “We visited a dormant volcano which had become a lake that the students could swim in. The students also played sports with the people, it was just a great time.”
Several of the students relayed their own individual stories when talking to the Nouvelle last week, with Grade 12 student Julie Jodoin remembering the excitement displayed by everybody when the students, parents and locals came together for a game of soccer. While there were many playing, Jodoin said there was even more on the sidelines, laughing, joking and cheering the two teams on.
Gratton told how he introduced the locals to hockey, while Levi Laplante relived all the fantastic meals the students were treated to throughout the trip.
Sebastien Smith said the one thing he would always remember was the positive attitude of everyone he encountered in San Bonito.
“The most memorable thing I brought back to Canada with me was just how happy everyone was over there. You don't see people upset or sulking in a corner about their situation They take everything in stride and don't seem to let things get them down. I think we as Canadians can learn a little something (from that).”
While she may not be the one behind the organizing of future trips, Veraart said she would be happy to accompany students and parents in the future after another “incredible experience” this time around.
“It's hard to compare trips because there are so many different and unique experiences every time, but this trip was even better than I expected it to be,” Veraart said. “I had a great team of students and parents with me and I'm very proud of them for all their hard work and dedication throughout the trip. Everybody seemed to have a great time and the locals were definitely very happen to have us there.”
She added, “What these kids learned and experienced in Nicaragua can never be taken away. They created memories that will stick with them throughout their entire lives.”
