Sudbury students back from humanitarian trip

After recently returning from a humanitarian trip to the Dominican Republic, five local students want to raise awareness and finances for people in the country.

The students said seeing poverty first-hand has given them incentive to help the people of the Dominican Republic, stated a news release.

Students Chantal Labonté, Rebecca Foreshew, Michelle Jacques, Alexandra Lalande and Erin Baird spent 10 days in July participating in a humanitarian relief project called Hero Holiday.

Hero Holiday, a program of Absolute.org, is offered in three different international destinations. While on the trip, participants help build local schools for poor communities, work in medical clinics and outreaches, provide labour to build houses, and work alongside refugees in local garbage dumps.

“I always wanted to do something like this, so I signed up and started to get ready for it,” said Labonte in the news release.

“I had no idea how fun it would end up being. My life in Canada is now something I value. I am part of a world that has everything at our fingertips, and I now realize that because of that, I have a responsibility to make a difference. I need to do something to help bring change to global issues such as poverty, slavery and exploitation. Hero Holiday has taught me that each one of us is able to make a difference, both globally and locally. All it takes is for us live out our passion.”

“Getting my hands dirty was a huge part of the fun,” continued Labonte. “By the time we left the Dominican Republic, my life was already different. I have amazing memories of hanging out with all the kids in the village, making new friends from across Canada, and how good it feels to help out.”

For more information on Absolute, visit www.absolute.org.