Faculty of Education Education News Fall 2012 / Winter 2013 Page 23
Trip to Honduras : An Education
Darci McDonald , Academic Program Advisor for Undergraduates in the Student Program Centre , had an inspiring winter holiday . She and several members of her family decided to go to Roatan , Honduras for a vacation . Darci shared her trip plans with Raelynn Moorhead , a colleague from Business Administration . Raelynn was excited to hear this because her close friend , Krissy Larsen , originally from Saskatchewan , now lives in Honduras and runs a Pre-K school called Little Learners Learning Centre on the island of Roatan . Raelynn immediately contacted Krissy , letting her know of Darci ’ s upcoming visit , and Darci and Krissy exchanged contact information so they could meet when she and her family arrived in Honduras . Darci began communicating with Krissy so she could find out what she needed , “ We ’ d ask her questions about what she could get there , and what kind of foods she missed from home ,” says Darci . Six family members were travelling , and they each filled their suitcases to the maximum weight limit with school supplies such as pencils , erasers , scissors , glue , and glitter that they purchased . Darci ’ s niece , currently a B . Ed . student with the U of R , helped them choose the supplies , knowing from her classes how differing supplies could be used together for learning activities . The by Shuana Niessen group also packed Canadian maps and paraphernalia , toys for kids , and treats . “ We carried potato chips in our carry-on from Canada so they wouldn ’ t get crushed ,” recalls Darci . Raelynn also sent some items along , and the Student Program Centre donated a box of jumbo pencils .
When Darci ’ s group arrived , they met with Krissy , who took them on a great tour of the island . She showed them the Pre-K school , which was located in the backyard of a friend ’ s home . “ The school was half the size of a garage ; so small !” says Darci . Krissy was in the process of finding a new location while Darci and her family were in Honduras .
Darci was impressed by the way children on the island responded to Krissy . Everywhere she went , they were drawn to her , even children who didn ’ t know her . Krissy teaches English to the children in the area , and promotes AIDs awareness through various activities . Parents apply to have their kids attend , and Krissy selects students based on need and how much money she has received through donations .
While Darci was there , Krissy had 12 students , but she wanted to
expand to 18 and was working on a new location , which she has now secured .
Listening to Darci tell her story , it was clear that contributing to the Little Learners Learning Centre had transformed a winter vacation into an educational experience . Darci says , “ It was really an eyeopener . You can make a donation online and you never see how that donation has helped someone . But we could see it firsthand .” When asked if she would do anything differently if she went again , Darci replied , “ I would have taken less for me to use , and more for Krissy , fewer shoes and more supplies . I wish we could have taken loads of suitcases , just for Krissy .”
For more information on Little Learners Learning Centre and how to make donations see : https :// www . facebook . com / pages / Little-Learners-Learning-Centre- Krissy-Larsen / 152259131551966
Krissy Larsen and Pre-K Little Learners Learning Centre