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Inuvik citizens to travel to Africa
High school students hope to learn more about the world
Samantha Stokell
The Samuel Hearne Secondary School students will head to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 30 for two weeks to volunteer at an orphanage and learn more about global disparity. "It'll be drastically different and beyond any expectations. Basically it'll change our lives," said Amie Charlie, a student going on the trip. "A usual trip would be for business or pleasure but we're going to an orphanage and will be teaching English and helping people." Charlie pushed the idea on all of her teachers last year after she heard about the Projects Abroad organization, which offers two-week high school student volunteer trips overseas. After continuously a number of her teachers, Zahra Khimji eventually agreed to help Charlie organize the trip. The need for a second chaperone saw Patrick Gauley-Gale sign on for the trip, which he thinks is important for youth to participate in. "When I was in high school, I was involved with exchanges and that's when I developed a sense of humanity," Gauley-Gale said. "Looking back, that's when I figured out that what I do doesn't affect just myself, but I can help people as far away as other continents. I wanted my work to benefit other people." That's what the students are hoping and expecting to learn. Charlie and the others want to immerse themselves globally and recognize how life in Canada isn't that bad. "We get to see more of the world instead of just Canada," said Meredith Baskin. "We do get to see poverty, but not to the extent (that exists in) other places in the world. I'm going for the exposure." Before the group can go, they need to raise $60,000 for the nine people participating. The money will go toward transportation, the trip fee and supplies for the orphanage. Many fundraising events will be held between now and March, including an Italian night, a table at the Great Northern Arts Festival craft fair, barbecues and pizza lunches. While there, the students plan to help build a school garden, an addition on the building, cook meals, teach English, take care of the children and educate them on Northern culture. While some could argue the students could help those in their own backyard, Charlie thinks they are needed in Ethiopia. "We have a lot of resources already. We have to go to some place that has serious needs," Charlie said. "Wherever we go, we will play a major role." "It's not about us. It's about Africa and the other kids," said Davis Neyando, another trip participant. "We're giving up all our time to fundraise." During the trip, the students will live with Ethiopian families. "It's an important aspect, staying with host families," Neyando said. "I don't want to feel guilty about staying in a hotel at night and staying on a nice bed." The group will gladly accept all donations of either cash or supplies for the orphanage. For more information, contact the high school.
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