In January, 10 students and two teachers from Lumen Christi were given the opportunity to participate in the school’s second Philippines Immersion Trip.
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The group stayed with the Franciscan Sisters of St Anthony in Pontevedra for two weeks where they were immersed in the culture.
Sam Crowley and Gina Brichacek wrote about their experience which they said was eye opening.
“The atmosphere when we arrived was overwhelming; they automatically treated us like family and made us feel a part of their community within seconds,” the two students said.
“All the children and mothers put on a great concert for us, where they danced, sang, talked about themselves and then they gave us bags that they had handmade for us out of old popper containers.”
One of the most challenging parts of the trip for the students was visiting the markets and local towns.
“People were everywhere; so much movement and action you couldn’t catch your breath. Although there were so many people they didn’t ignore us, every person would smile and say hello to us,” Gina and Sam said.
The students said that although the Filipinos face challenges day in and day out, no one can take away their amazing sense of faith and family.
“The happiness, hospitality and generosity everyone showed towards us was a constant reminder that no matter what your financial status or race, you should show kindness in your everyday actions,” they said.
Poverty is an issue facing the majority of the Filipino population and the immersion trip was a chance for the local teenagers to see first hand the need for world class water treatment technology.
“No running water meant we had to hand pump our own water from the well, shower with buckets, flush our own toilets and be careful to only drink bottled water,” they said.
As part of their trip the students were able to stay in the mountains for two nights where the nuns took them out to an amazing waterfall in the rainforest.
“We all went under the falls including the nuns and this was a major highlight as none of us wanted to leave,” they said.
“The day came where we had to leave the nuns for good, the saddest moment of the trip as we had become so attached to these amazing people in such a short time.
“We will be forever grateful to the Franciscans Sisters of St Anthony as they showed us a new life and taught us how lucky we are and also how to open our hearts to help others in need.”
The students thanked the local community for helping make the trip happen saying it was one of the greatest things they have ever done.
Lumen Christi and the Social Justice Advocates, in collaboration with Disaster Aid Australia and the Filipino group, Balay Mindanaw, are working to provide clean drinking water to the Pontevedra community. To assist email Wendy.Mockler@cg.catholic.edu.au.
