CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE Nov. 2, 2018
A group of healthcare students at Pontiac Continuing Education Centre are raising funds for a humanitarian trip that would offer them the work placement of a lifetime.
The project is the brainchild of two instructors for the program, Heidi Hall and Susanne Poirier, who travelled to the Dominican Republic last year to volunteer their skills and step out of their comfort zone. This year, they’re looking to make the trip back to the same area, this time with a group of 11 students and instructors.

Hall explained that the healthcare program offers students training to work in an institutional setting or in homecare, and the mission to the Dominican is one option for accumulating clinical placement hours.
“It’s just an amazing opportunity,” Poirier said, recounting her own experiences working in the country. “They get to practice their language skills, experience a different culture.”
“It gives you an appreciation for what we do have here,” added Hall, noting that ensuring sanitation in places with unreliable water sources was a challenge, to say the least.
Hall said that they have been raising money to offset the costs of the trip, which are $1,650 a person. In addition, attendees are asked to bring a large suitcase full of supplies to donate as well.
The online auction can be found by searching Humanitarian mission auction on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1915931825158453/about/)
Alternatively, donations can be made by contacting Pontiac Continuing Education at 819 647 5605 ext. 2503 or by stopping by in-person at 89 rue Centre in Shawville.