Members of the school’s Student Leadership Council came up with the idea of building a school in Ecuador last year and, after raising funds to build the school, travelling students are now fundraising to offset travel costs for the trip.
The students will be travelling through EF Educational Tours and working with charity and educational partner Free the Children.
Free the Children was at Carlton Comprehensive High School on Wednesday to give a presentation pertaining to its origins, water sustainability and the group’s effect on improving the world water crisis.
“After seeing the presentation, I’m super excited to be able to meet kids we’re going to be helping and just see what kind of impact it’s going to have on them,” Grade 11 student and SLC member Peyton Rindal said.
Along with Rindal, there are currently three other students signed up for the trip, including Carly Fraser, Kristen Gunter and Brianne Grimard.
“It’s a voluntour, so during some of it you actually will be volunteering in building the school and some of it you are just touring around Ecuador,” Rindal added.
Bryan Rindal, Peyton’s father, will also go to Ecuador as a chaperone and tour leader. He said the trip will be a great educational experience for the students.
“It’s kind of a shame that only four have signed up so far,” he said. “The other tours are good. You get to see Rome and Greece etcetera, but this is hands-on and you’re mixed with the local people. You’re meeting the people. You’re learning how they actually live.”
Free the Children speaker and leadership facilitator Kimberly McLeod reflected Bryan Rindal’s sentiment.
“It’s one of the best ways you can develop global citizens,” she said. “They’re actually going to work and see what it’s like to live in Ecuador, to live in one of these rural communities and actually experience what it would be like to live without water or education.”
The cost per traveller is about $4,000. Therefore, the students will canvass local businesses and hold different events to raise funds.
A portion of the money raised may be donated to Free the Children.
Rindal has suggested establishing an “x” amount to reach.
“Anything over and above that should go to Free the Children,” he said. “The whole idea is not to get a free trip for anyone. (The students) all knew when they were going that there was a cost involved.”
The students will leave March 28 for the 10-day trip.
alex.dipietro@paherald.sk.ca
