Some teens from Klamath County recently used shovels, cinder blocks, and cement to help build foreign relations…
And they learned even more about themselves in the process.
Cayla Haskins is one of eight students from Lost River and Henley High Schools that spent their Spring vacation working in a remote village in the Dominican Republic…
“We were down there for a week, and we were building houses.”
Cedrick Reed of Henley High School notes that the work wasn’t easy…
“They had already dug the foundation, so we filled it with cement, and cinder blocks, and we dug the holes for septic tanks.”
Reed adds that cultural differences provided a new perspective…
“There’s not many white people down there, so they were like, staring.”
Eric Summers of Lost River High School adds that language was also an issue…
“I had a hard time with the language, but I always had Jenny or one of the other Spanish speakers close to me, so they could translate.”
The trip also provided new appreciation for luxuries sometimes taken for granted.
“We got working bathrooms, that’s something they didn’t have there.” Noted Cayla Haskins, while Cedrick Reed adds “Definitely value my vehicle, and all the items I have that I don’t necessarily need.”
Each student had to raise about $2600 to make the trip, but Cayla Haskins says it was worth it…
“Definitely. I enjoyed it a lot, and I’d definitely do it again.”
Goup advisor Doug Matheson led similar efforts to Thailand in 2007, and Brazil in 2009.
Students sold car wash packets and restaurant coupon books, and also got help from friends and relatives to raise money for the trip.
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