FEATURES
Imagine the frigid winters of Charlotte and escaping to the warm atmosphere of a tropical climate. Last winter break, Ms. Katie Kirkland, Coach Tom Caruso, and Coach Alex Birmelin led a group of 15 Providence Day Upper School students on a "life changing" experience to Belize.
From spelunking through ancient Mayan caves and skeletal remains to climbing the Xunantunich Mayan ruins, the trip promised constant excitement and fun. Still, the Belize trip offered lessons in social service and responsibility as the group went to the Maya Village Center where the group collaborated with the school community to complete hands-on projects, enacting change to a community in need. The students really bonded with the community and the families in the Maya Village. Nestled in a luscious jungle, fresh food came from gardens, and people were always willing to give even though there wasn't much to go around.
One moment that stood out in particular to the group leader, Ms. Kirkland, was when the group was helping out in the Maya Village Center. The students were working with kids at the school by painting, building a fence, repairing playground equipment, and playing games with the younger children. While the PDS students were running around playing tag and other games with the local children, Ms. Kirkland enjoyed “seeing the smiles on their faces and the genuine joy that came from all we accomplished and new friendships created.” This really demonstrated how the Belize trip provided opportunities of collaboration across cultures.
Ms. Kirkland says the students adjusted quickly to life in Belize, noting how instead using electronics or technology like phones, students “played card games and other local games or just shared stories and talked with the local people about their life stories” in the evening. No other PDS trip goes to this part of the world. Providence Day partners with the World Leadership Schools who provides guides, team building activities, discussions, and games.
Likewise, the students on the trip want to leave an impact on Providence Day with the things they've learned in Belize. They are creating a club, Building with Belize, to raise funds and awareness for the Maya Center Village. A student who participated on the trip commented that he really learned global leadership as well as a new perspective on life when he returned home to Charlotte. Students on the trip experienced no air conditioning, cold showers, and sleeping under bug nets, which helped them value the commodities they take for granted in Charlotte. This December, Ms. Kirkland, Coach Caruso, and a team of students hope to better address some of the needs of the Maya Center community and leave a lasting positive impact. She says trip is for the adventurous, who wouldn't mind "roughing it" and being pushed out of their comfort zone. If interested, students must be able to swim, hike, climb, comfortable in caves, and unafraid of heights. If a student is interested in going this December, contact Ms. Kirkland.
Belize: Outdoor adventures and service learning
By Gwen Goins and Matthew Hudson
Students expected an exhilarating trip, but found a rewarding experience in helping a community in need.
Mimi Brechnitz plays with childen during last year's trip to Belize.
Photo by Katie Kirkland