Donald Teuma-Castelletti
SHAWVILLE Jan. 13, 2019
Pancakes, sausage and bacon were on the menu at the Shawville Community Lodge Sunday morning, as a fundraiser fed guests while supporting local students embarking on a humanitarian mission in early May.
Four students and three teachers were assisted by many more volunteers as the group raised money to support a trip to the Dominican Republic, where they’ll be putting the focus of their studies in the personal support worker program at the Pontiac Continuing Education Centre to work with hands-on experience.
Teacher Kim Greene explained that this would be the first year that students travel to the country with their program, after two other teachers, Heidi Hall and Susanne Poirier, vetted the venture in 2018. Finding a positive experience that would reinforce the curriculum, they decided it’d be a valuable opportunity for students to put their lessons to the test.
Once there, students will assist in various communities with everything from home visits to clinics and women’s shelters within Ocoa, a city in the Caribbean country.
“We’re going to be doing what we’re learning now,” explained student Brianna Shea, explaining that it will act as if it were clinical experience.
Greene added that the trip also has a second, underlying lesson for the students – some teachings that can’t be taught in the classroom.
“I think it’s going to bring an awareness of different needs and cultures, seeing how other people live,” said Greene.
She hopes to see the students gain a new appreciation for the healthcare system at home, as well as where they live and work.
The four students who will be travelling to the Dominican Republic include Shea, Lucie Lozier, Breanna Smith and Stephanie Rutledge. The accompanying teachers include Hall, Poirier and Greene.
The teachers and students will each be required to bring along a hockey bag full of supplies to help with a variety of needs, including pain medications, sanitary items, sunglasses, hats, clothing and more. All are currently accepting donations to help fill their bags, and those looking to help out can contact the healthcare department of the Pontiac Continuing Education Centre to make arrangements.
As the trip quickly approaches, more fundraising activities will be taking place around the Shawville area, as the excitement continues to build for the trip.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Shea.
