Ready to help others
Humanitarian trip an opportunity of a lifetime for Northside teen
Most people wouldn’t even know where to locate Ecuador on a map, but that is not so for one Northside teen.
Hannah MacIntosh doesn’t just know where the South American country is, she is planning to travel there as part of the Me to We Children’s Charity.
Like her sisters Emily and Katie before her, from the time Hannah was a young girl growing up in North Sydney, her mom Sandra expressed to her how important it is to do good things for others. Taking her mother’s words to heart, the Grade 11 Memorial High School student has already amassed an impressive resume when it comes to giving back.
For Hannah helping others is not just something that is expected of her, it is something that brings her great joy.
“I am so happy that my mom insisted that I be a part of the community because it is a wonderful feeling to know that you are helping other people.”
In addition to being a lector at her church, she helps out with the Sunday school. She is also a volunteer dance instructor with Northside Dance and treasurer of the Interact club at her school. Hannah is an honours student and an ambassador for international students attending MHS.
“Even though I am very busy I think that if I really want to do things to help other people I can find the time to do it. I am involved in a lot of activities, but I know if I plan my time I will always be able to do the things that are important to me.”
Earlier this spring Hannah learned that she was the recipient of a bursary from the Me to We Charity for an immersion volunteer trip. As a respected and reputable, philanthropic organization, the Me to We Charity has proven experience with sustainable development work. Students chosen to participate in the program are expected to assist in several disciplines including education, clean water initiatives and concerns relating to sanitation and agriculture.
“Two of my teachers went on the humanitarian trip last year and they both said it was a life-changing experience. They encouraged me to learn more about it because they thought that the trip would be something that I would really love to do.”
It was a lengthy application process, but the more Hannah learned about the program, the more she knew she wanted to take part.
“The trip will be such an amazing opportunity for me to build on the volunteer work that I am already doing. While I am in Ecuador, I will be taking part in information sessions, leadership training and workshops. I hope that I can use what I learn to help the people there have a better quality of life.
“Doing good for others can have a snowball effect, and I believe that if I can help just a few people from what I learn, then those people can take what I teach them and share it with other people.”
The bursary that Hannah received is $2,000. It covers only a portion of the actual cost of the trip. Over the next several weeks, she will endeavour to fundraise the remaining $2,995 needed to travel to Ecuador.
She is no stranger to fundraising. Over the years Hannah has organized and participated in everything from pumpkin sales to an annual spring tea. To help with the cost of travel, she has been working on a very specific fundraiser.
“I have been doing a lot of baking lately. I make doggie treats using all natural ingredients. I came up with a recipe for muffins for my dog and when she tried them she seemed to like them a lot, so I thought if Lila likes them so much, maybe other dogs would like to try them too.”
In addition to selling the doggie treats, Hannah is considering having a few yard sales and is looking into plans to take part in the giant flea market in Sydney. In the coming weeks, she will be approaching local businesses in an attempt to garner
additional financial support for her trip.
Fortunately for Hannah, businesses on the Northside are proven to be very generous when it comes to supporting youth taking part in charitable causes.
“The businesses that I have approached so far have been happy to support me, and I don’t think that I will have too much trouble raising the amount of money I need to make the trip.”
If all goes according to plan, Hannah will board the plane for Quinto, Ecuador on July 9. She is excited to travel to the third world country and says she is preparing herself for the experience.
“This is a humanitarian trip and I expect to be very busy. There will be so much to see and learn and I want to do as much as I can to help the people there.”
Hannah aspires to be a teacher one day and she says she is not ruling out the possibility of teaching in South America.
“I have always had an interest in life in third world countries and depending on how this trip goes, I could go back some day to teach there.”
Hannah is currently accepting orders for her Lila approved doggie muffins. For more information on the allnatural doggie treats, or on how to support the fundraising effort, please call (902) 304-3629 or (902) 322-2759.