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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-06-21, Page 14Crossroads 14 Wednesday, June 21,2006 Exeter Times Advocate Local girls volunteer at hospital and school in Guatemala By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF MOUNT CARMEL — Two local girls have returned recently from a volunteer trip to Antigua, Guatemala, in Central America, work- ing with malnourished infants and children with disabilities. Annette Roelands and Kristine Peters, both of the Mount Carmel area travelled to Guatemala for 12 days with an organization, Students International out of California. "I was at a hospital and Kristine was at the school," says Roelands who is working towards a Bachelor of Science and Nursing Degree through a joint pro- gram between McMaster University and Conestoga College and working at the Parkhill Chateau Gardens. At the hospital, Obras Sociales Del "Hermann Pedro," Roelands was "holding babies, feed- ing them, changing them and bathing them." Every child Roelands was helping was mal- nourished and "a lot of them had a cleft palate," says Roelands. At the hospital there were children of all ages, "a couple of four and five year olds but most were under two years old," some who had been there for a couple of years. Peters was working at the school, Brillo Desol. "It means Sunshine," she says. Peters was working with disabled children. "I worked with kids, trying to teach them math and crafts," says Peters who is also attending McMaster University, majoring in math and minoring in accounting. Peters also works at the Pinery in Grand Bend in the accounting office for the summer. A shocking statistic Peters learned was, "Nine out of ten go to elementary school, three out of ten finish Grade 6." The girls were the first Canadians to trav- el with the Californian - based organization. They were also the first to stay with site director Fernando Saravia and his wife Marianela and family While volunteering there were two days where the girls were able to visit Guatemala City, going to a private school. They also visited each other's ministry sites as well as others. There were seven altogether, including three differ- ent schools, a hospital, a health care clinic, an agriculture site and a technology site. Both Roelands and Peters say it was an eye opener going to Guatemala which bor- ders the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico and the Gulf of Honduras between Honduras and Belize. Peters says when they travelled to Guatemala City they saw many shacks lined up along the road where people live. She was also sur- prised when she visited one of her student's homes, an eight-year- old boy, Giovanny who picks garbage for a liv- ing. But she says the fami- ly seems happy, prov- ing that you do not need a lot to make the most of life, something Peters says she realized on their trip. This was the first mis- sions trip for Roelands and Peters and both say they would recom- mend it to anyone. "I would highly rec- ommend it. It wasn't too expensive and they organize everything for you," says Peters. "It was definitely a good opportunity," they say. They were especially pleased with all of the people who "sponsored, supported and prayed" for them. Roelands and Peters were able to raise enough money for their trip to leave some behind as donations. They are also grateful to Fernando and Marianela Saravia and family who took them in for their stay. If interested in travelling with this organization visit www.stint.com for more information. Above, Annette Roelands, in front left and Kristine Peters, back left stand with Fernando and Marianela Saravia and family where they stayed while volunteering in Antigua, Guatemala. Roelands volunteered at a hospital and Peters volunteered at a school.They were the first Canadians to travel with the organization, Students International, based out of California. Above,Annette Roelands holds one of the malnourished children from the hospi- tal she volunteered at in Guatemala. Below, Kristine Peters stands with two boys from the school she volunteered at in Guatemala. (photos/submitted) Above, Kristine Peters walks with Giovanny who picks up garbage to make money for his family in Guatemala. Below,Annette Roelands sits with one of the children she worked with at the hospital in Guatemala. (photos/submitted)