Some experiences create memories that will last a lifetime. For a group of Mentor College students and staff members, a March break trip to India provided such an opportunity. Twenty-two students and four staff members traveled to the community of Antri, near Udaipur, in the state of Rajasthan on a ME to WE volunteer trip. The main activity for the students was working on a construction project, but they also – among other things – took in some sightseeing, experienced a Holi celebration, and engaged in guided discussion activities. But most importantly, the students and staff were able to spend time with school children, share stories together, build deep connections, and see the world from a very different perspective.
Construction: The group members spent much of their time working towards the construction of the village’s school – specifically the completion of a washroom wall. The group traveled to and from the work site everyday and experienced all facets of the building process by sifting sand, making cement, laying bricks, and building a foundation, walls, and steps. As Grade 11 student Natalie explains, there was a real sense of accomplishment, “Every day, one of our WE facilitators…who were all so great…Adrian would take pictures at the work site…and on the last day he showed us what we had accomplished. We were able see ourprogress.”
Since the local children were in school on many of the work days, there was plenty of opportunity for socializing and communication. With some of the Mentor students fluent in Hindi, they were able to hear stories about the students’ daily lives, about how far they traveled to and from school. Grade 12 student Aryaman was one of the Mentor students who took on the role of interpreter. He says, “the hardest part of the trip was having to leave the kids…we all got so attached in such a short time…on our last day at the school, one of our facilitators Heranshi arranged with the school’s principal for the local students to take 15 minutes of class time so that we could talk…it went way over!”
A Day in the Life: Some of the most impactful moments of the trip came when the students visited the homes of the residents of Antri. It was during these visits where the students were able to gain a greater insight into what daily life is like. With trip facilitators as interpreters, it was an invaluable opportunity for meaningful communication to take place. For Grade 9 student Kaitlyn, one of the lasting impressions was the water walk, where the students “helped families carry pots of water to the house…our pots were made for 6-7 year olds and it was about a 5-minute walk…we found it hard…it was interesting to see the difference between a child’s work for them and for us.”
Discussion/Activities: Guided by their WE facilitators, the students engaged in daily discussions centred around topics like privilege or the distribution of wealth and resources. They were invited to share their thought and feelings and to reflect on what they are passionate about. Many students remembered ME to We founder Craig Kielburger’s visit to Mentor College in November when he spoke about “committing to and doing what you love to make the world better.”
Sightseeing/Local Arts & Crafts: Students were able to take advantage of days off by visiting local sights such as the City Palace in Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh Fort, and a Hindu Temple that is home to sacred catfish. The group also had fun with tie-dying, henna, and block-stamping, and even enjoyed taking lessons in Bollywood dance and cooking (samosas and chai)!
Holi Celebration: Holika is celebrated all across India on March 21. The members of the group did their own version at the camp!
“This trip really made everyone have a new appreciation for being at school,” says Grade 10 student Laura. “The children there are so excited to go to school because it is such a special opportunity…and there was such a sense of community and happiness…you might think that because they have so little that they might be unhappy, but no…they seem so much happier than people here.”
This was Mentor’s third trip to India. The school has partnered with ME to WE since shortly after Craig Kielburger’s first inspirational visit to Mentor in the 2004-2005 school year. Since then, Mentor students have also traveled to Ecuador and Kenya.
Thank you to Ms. Lessing, Ms. Reintjes, Mr. Belluzzo, and Mr. Whyte for making the trip possible!
