A SUPPORTING ROLE
MUN hoopster hopes to help in Cambodia
As a cranky old guy, I wonder sometimes if the current generation of young people is interested or committed to anything but themselves, and maybe Katy Perry.
And while today’s young adults ponder whether or not you can see Kim Kardashian’s posterior from space, there are some who have the intention of doing something useful with their lives, such as helping those much less fortunate.
Take Caleb Gould, the 6-5 star forward for Memorial Sea-Hawks men’s basketball team, and you sense at least a glimpse of hope for the future.
The fourth-year business administration student is having an outstanding season with the Sea-Hawks, averaging 16.5 points-per-game.
MUN coach Peter Benoite recently noted, “I just can't say enough about Caleb. We can rely on him each and every game. He does all that dirty work and still puts in points for us.”
Gould is fourth in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) scoring with 18.8 points-per-game and two regular-season matches left on MUN’s regular schedule.
But there’s much more to Gould than impressive stats and court leadership.
Gould’s dad, Gerry, is the pastor of Summit Community Church in Richmond Hill, Ont., which has a sponsorship with a missionary in Cambodia where Gould hopes to help out this summer.
“There’s nothing set in stone for this summer, but I’m hoping another opportunity comes up,” said the Aurora, Ont., native, whose parents are currently in Cambodia.
“It’s something I’m very interested in and definitely want to do at some point. I had the opportunity to go with my mom (Leah) last August but, as the Sea-Hawks captain, I needed to be here for training camp.
“It’s not an orphanage, but a place to serve the displaced and oppressed Vietnamese children living in Cambodia.
“It’s preventative mission work, to keep the kids from being trafficked through education, vocational training, income generation, feeding them, and showing them hope in Jesus.”
The idea for the work in Cambodia is to ensure the children have a future and can help their families.
“The major concerns in the area is families selling their daughters into the sex trade market because they don’t have enough money to support them- selves, or (because they) have gambling debt,” Gould noted.
Given his faith, it makes sense then that Gould has a Biblical first name. Of the Israelites who left Egypt with Moses, Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who lived to see the Promised Land, although I’m not equating St. John’s to the Promised Land.
There’s obviously a serious side to Gould, and that’s commendable.
He said he just wants to be able to build relationships with the kids.
“I want to be there for them and have fun with them,” said Gould. “Our church sends teams to Cambodia once in a while. It needs energetic, loving people to give their all for the kids, and its something I think I would be good at.”
Gould said the volunteer work interests him, “because it’s a tangible way for me to help those who have so little compared to our culture.
“I know money can be donated to organizations, but I would much rather help with the skills I have and see the positives myself.
“I enjoy working with kids,” said Gould, who spends his summer working at sports camps. “And Mom thinks the kids would love me.”
Gould feels this sort of work would also be extremely humbling and make him appreciate how much he has living on this side of the world because people here take what they have for granted.
He said he believes his volunteer work will also help him grow as a person.
“As a student-athlete, I believe it could help my passion and keep me striving for success, as well as strengthening my leadership abilities.
“Again, I don’t know when the next opportunity will come up, but it is something I’m extremely passionate about and hope to do as soon as the opportunity presents itself.”
I know money can be donated to organizations, but I would much rather help with the skills I have and see the positives myself.
Caleb Gould