College students to help build school in Ecuador
Life may not be as easy in Ecuador as it is in most parts of Canada, but everyone in the small South American country deserves access to education and other necessities, says a Niagara College student who will be making his second mission trip there next weekend.
Through the Me to We organization, Christopher Reilly is one of 20 students who will put down their books and get their hands dirty during reading week to help build a school.
Consisting mostly of people in the police foundations program, the group will visit the city of Quito, as well as the Chimborazo region.
Reilly, a graduate of the college’s nursing program, previously visited Ecuador, as well as Nicaragua, through Me to We.
“It’s great to interact with the community and find out what their needs are. They have the same hopes and dreams, want the best for their children — just as we do here,” said Reilly, who is also a full-time nurse at St. Catharines hospital.
Johanna Arias, a second-year police foundations student who emigrated from Colombia to Canada 14 years ago, never got the chance to visit Ecuador while living in her neighbouring home country. She’ll be using the trip as a chance to lend a helping hand, something she is extremely thankful to have been on the receiving end of when she arrived here.
“I had a lot of things given to me when I came from my country, so it’s great to give back through this experience.
“It’s nice we can give that to them and that they can get the opportunities we have here,” added the mother of two daughters.
Jim Norgate, co-ordinator of the police foundations program, has been organizing a trip for the past six years, giving 120 students over that time an unforgettable experience.
“Education should go out of the classroom, especially at the post-secondary age when they are a sponge for information and experiences,” said Norgate.
“It’s a big world and there’s a lot of issues in that world, but it’s possible as one person to make an impact around the globe,” he added.
Prasha Balakumaran, senior client experience co-ordinator for Me to We, said the stage at which projects are in when students arrive can vary.
“Sometimes, it’s starting from the ground, and sometimes it’s helping with the finishing touches. (Students) come back with a sense of pride, that they’ve done such great work,” she said.
Since last fall, students have been raising funds to help finance the trip — costing about $3,000 per student.
The group of students will leave Feb. 23 and return March 3.