St. Lucia Service Trip

After the trip I’ve gone through so many emotions and states of being. I went from ‘I can’t believe it’s over,’ through to ‘what am I supposed to do with myself now,’ to ‘I miss St. Lucia and want to go back,’ straight into ‘now that I’m back my life just isn’t the same.’  

Strange enough I’ve settled with this sate of being; my life isn’t supposed to be the same. We went from an over commercialized society where everyone was too busy to truly care, into a place that was so laid back, warm and welcoming. Even more significantly however, the same people that I traveled with and was too busy to see now became such good friends that we would miss when they were away on different project for too long, and wouldn’t greet without a hug.

However, the most significant change is the feeling that I can make a difference, and we did create differences.

This experience has taught me that each of us can take the time to slow down and look around, not stress over the little things especially when everything is not going according to plans, but be FLEXIBLE and know that everything will work out. I also learnt that you don’t have to buy/build someone a house to make a difference in their lives, but only a few minutes/hours spent talking to them, teaching them, inspiring them can make just as much an impact as any other large gestures.

What We Learnt From You

They came from very far to inspire us with knowledge

They came from big schools called
Lynchburg and Randolph College

They talked about so many countries one being
Burma

We also learnt when we speak, we must be much bolder

We talked about the differences between
China and
Taiwan

We learnt that some countries export everything they can

The history of trading dates as far back as our grannies

Trading turned out to be something which is fun

Some countries trade many things from house materials to plums

In short I would like to say that what we learnt will stay with us within each passing day

What we learnt from you was like delicious food on a plate

We also hope that some day we in turn could reciprocate.

By: Alphah Eliuique

This experience has pushed me beyond every limit that my life has taken me to so far. From living in the same room with ten lovely young ladies, all of whom has a friend or two who are constantly dropping by; to the interchangeable hikes and physical labor service projects that we are involved in.

Over and over I here people saying that this trip has changed their out look on so many things about life and I believe that it has done soooo much more for me. Working with the trainees at C.A.R.E. Odsan I remember feeling happy and useful, when they would ask us questions, look to us for answers, and just want to be around us and learn from us. Even though the pressure was immense, there was an ease in all of us with what we were doing. On our final day there they sang to us, and various students gave a vote of thanks and one young man wrote a poem especially for us. This was the most emotionally draining day that I have ever experienced in my life. I was most happy with what I was doing, while at the same time had the overwhelming feeling that I’m not sure how to explain but it only comes from doing something selfless and realizing that it had a positive impact, and sadden because they didn’t want us to leave and we did not want to leave either. All these emotions were expressed though tears, not only by me but other persons on the trip too.

All in all we are growing by Sharing, Caring and Inspiring.

In less than 24 hours we will be embarking on our trip to St. Lucia. Wow, kind of hard to believe considering all that I have been through to get to this stage. The intensive week of classes not only familiarized me with the people that I will be spending the next month with, but have me feeling so prepared for whatever may happen while we are there. I anticipate not only a very productive and fulfilling trip but also one that is fun filled with life changing experiences and friendships.

St. Lucia’s history is unlike any other in the Caribbean, even though most Caribbean cultures are synonymous, there is something very special about St. Lucia why it changed hand between the British and the French 14 times during colonization and I can’t wait to experience it. I am especially looking forward to working with the trainees of the CARE and creating and organizing of the Word Jam with the children of Anse La Raye.

This experience will be one in which the learning that takes place inside the lecture room is only preparation for what I may or may not encounter while on this intellectual journey. However, some things are for sure, this is a chance of a life time that will give me a deeper in sight into the world of international relations, while at the same time I will be doing my part to make a positive contribution to the world.