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La Mac h Americ to Guyana, Sout immersion trip

Famous writer Phillip Pullman once said, “After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.” Indeed, the art of storytelling is a vital aspect of human relations. It’s the constant motion of memories. The resurrection of lost time.

And in a way, it’s a gift.

In early spring of 2013, six juniors and four teachers from Ursuline Academy of New Orleans went to Guyana, South America to learn, give and grow. “Beyond Our Borders Immersion Program” is how it was first introduced to us.

“Immersion” was the word that really stuck in my mind. This wasn’t just a mission trip. It was a cultural exchange.

An intermingling, intertwining, weaving web of ideas. So we went. And I myself can’t sum up everything that happened in a couple sentences, nor in an entire book.

We couldn’t bring back endless amounts of souvenirs or materials either. But what we can share are our raw words. And although you probably won’t physically know Guyana like we have, I hope that through our stories, you can see some of what we have seen.

Day One

HOLLY

Lina

About Our Trip ...

The day my five fellow classmates, four teachers, and I left for Guyana was definitely one of the hardest days of my life. Applying for the trip was easy.

The thought of going to Guyana, South America for 12 days to experience life with other people and to learn about a new culture sounded like something I have wanted to do for a long time. I was so excited when I heard I was one of the few girls chosen for the very first Beyond Our Borders Immersion Program.

When the time came, I was terrified to leave my family, my home and my comfort zone. I was leaving the country for the first time, without my parents, to travel to an unfamiliar place.

My mom knew I needed to go. She knew this is what I always wanted to do and that I would regret not going.

Without her encouragement, I would have never had the courage to experience one of the greatest events of my life thus far. Despite all the tears and doubts, I finally gave my parents one last hug and kiss and walked away to go to Guyana. I thank God for the strength He gave me to get on the plane.

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Here we go ture is Our adven gin. about to be 8

“Strengthened by the Word of God and by the communion w ith each other, let us have the courag e to go beyond our borders and, with Angela, be signs of reconciliatio n and hope.”

– 2007 Ursuline Gen

eral Chapter Message

After three plane rides and a long, sleepless night, we finally arrived in Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. The Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union welcomed us in their home, which is connected to St. Ann’s Orphanage. After resting and unpacking, the ten of us went to the orphanage. As we observed the afternoon routine of the children, we noticed that they all helped each other with anything and everything they did.

The older children especially looked out for the younger children. Even though we were strangers, we were welcomed with a “good afternoon” from every child that walked through the door. The Sisters that worked at the orphanage acted as parental figures for the children. The children called the Sisters “Momma,” which really touched my heart. We went outside with them and played fun games like Red Rover and volleyball. At the end of the long day playing with the children, we went back to the Sisters’ residence to rest.

The small plane to Karasabai!

Day Three

EMILY

ALEXIS

Day Two

Shortly after arriving in the loud city of Georgetown, we were already embarking on a new journey. Hardly adjusted to the two-hour time difference, we unenthusiastically started the day at 5:30 a.m. With such an eventful day to come, we did not have any time to spare.

After a relatively short drive, we arrived at a transcontinental airport and were introduced to our pilot and small means of transportation, a plane that just fit our group. On the hour-long flight, we had a glimpse of the different surroundings Guyana offered.

After the short flight, we had finally arrived to Karasabai and landed at their nonexistent airport, an enclosed strip of grass. Since the people in this small Amerindian village were not accustomed to receiving visitors, the children ran from their schools and families from their homes to greet us. Upon exiting the plane, we were embraced with warm smiles and an upbeat, self-written song. We were introduced to Sr. Divya and Sr. Seraphina, the humble Ursuline Sisters who helped make this trip possible. Our group had an easy transition into Karasabai life with their guidance and support.

After settling in our guesthouse and taking a quick tour of the village, we went to the local school. Since it was Mardi Gras in New Orleans, we decided to hand out beads and read a story about the holiday. Then we played outdoor games with the children. At the end of a long day filled with traveling and exploring a new village, we went to bed under the protection of our mosquito nets anticipating what the next day had in store.

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Day Six

Today we returned to the school in the village of Karasabai. We separated into different classrooms to observe the typical classroom routines and offered our assistance to the teachers. I was able to give the students several tips to better their writing skills.

Later, we attended Ash Wednesday Mass with the villagers. It was very interesting to observe the similarities and differences between our Masses. I learned that they are almost exactly the same. I also noticed that all of the villagers who attended treated one another as family. I feel blessed to have been welcomed into this loving community.

LINA

JOY

Day Four

Alexis

Day Five Today is Valentine’s Day! To celebrate, we went to the school with paper heart cutouts and yarn, and we made necklaces with the children. They each colored and designed their hearts, and we tied them around their necks. Later that night we joined the villagers for Mass. In the middle of Mass, Ursuline Sisters from India and Belgium arrived in the village.

Sr. Divya and Sr. Seraphina washed their feet as a sign of honor and gratitude for their arrival.We remained in the church for the rest of the evening, as the children of Karasabai presented songs, dances and acrobatic performances to welcome the Sisters. We too were obliged to present a song, and what better song is there to perform for Ursuline Sisters than our own Ursuline Alma Mater? We were honored to have participated in such an amazing ceremony.

t of For the res oth the day, b nd children ae seen adults wer e around tharing village we rts! paper hea

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Another day under a scorching sun, another day we would soon recall with fond memories. Every morning seemingly starts with the same routine.

“Wake up girls!” Ms. Coles would say, although it reverberated more like a scream since the walls in our house are hardly more than paper. She sleeps on the other side of the house, and yes, walls do separate us — but very thin walls.

We have about ten minutes to get dressed, brush our teeth, and comb our hair. (Really more like five minutes though, because we spend the first five minutes groaning in our beds, hiding under the mosquito nets that shielded us all night.) Trickling one by one, we eventually gather on the porch, sunscreen applied and water bottles filled.

Somehow, though, routine is quickly interrupted as we step off the wooden porch. Every day is a new adventure, and today’s plan wasn’t really my forte.

As soon as I found out we were teaching at a nursery, I couldn’t have been more

startled. A nursery? Toddlers are a whole different world. I’m an only child. What if they don’t like me? What if they can’t understand me?

“Do you all know your shapes?” I asked while standing by the chalkboard.

No response. My stomach contracted; my lungs seemed to halt. I began to draw a figure on the board, hoping, praying, for some response.

“Triangle!” a young boy shouted.

And immediately, peace was at hand.

Children, perhaps, aren’t so scary.

This morning we went on a hiking trip up a nearby mountain. Our designated guides Michael and Nikisha quickly became our new friends. Our hike started off great, but it soon started to rain, making the mountain difficult to climb. Fortunately, we all still made it to the top. From the top of the mountain, we could see Karasabai and a farm on the other side of the mountain. When we reached the farm, we learned a lot about cassava and farinha, major staple crops in Karasabai. Cassava is a root vegetable used to make bread. The juices from the cassava are poisonous, so you have to drain the juice before you can eat it. Farinha is made from cassava. It’s coarsely ground, cooked in large pans, and added to various dishes. After visiting the farm, Michael took us to his family’s farm where we had lunch. After returning to the guesthouse, we ended the day with dinner, showers and our nightly reflection.

which comes , ha n ri fa ok co s lp he Jarithza oked over large co is It . ot ro a av ss ca e from th urs. In Guyana, stoves and stirred for ho ed in soups. us ly on m m co t os m is farinha

Day Eight

HOLLY

Jarithza

Day Seven

Today, the group decided to go on a nice walk through Karasabai. This gave everyone the chance to really explore the village and see how people in Karasabai live compared to people in the United States. On the walk, I first noticed four or five young girls retrieving water from a nearby well to use for their laundry.

They were doing their own laundry the old-fashioned way, with only a bucket, soap and a washboard. Seeing them work really made me realize how different their culture is compared to mine. In America, young children usually do not wash their own clothes, but in Karasabai, these girls are taught to be independent at a young age. Later on during the walk, I saw the houses people lived in, which were made out of dry mud and straw. Even though the average American would view their lifestyle as poor and impoverished, the people are really not living in bad conditions. They just live simply. They use only what they need. They may not have certain blessings we have in America, like brick houses with air-conditioning, electronics, beds, and electricity, but the people in Karasabai have different blessings that many Americans lack. They have the blessing of community. Everyone in the Karasabai community cares for one another like family. They go out of their own way to help their neighbors and care for everyone, not just themselves.

Typical home in Kar

asabai

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Today we left Karasabai. We have had an amazing time there and none of us wanted to leave, but we were looking forward to exploring Georgetown. The van ride was very long and uncomfortable because the roads are not cement like we are used to in the United States. Sleeping was completely out of the question. It was also raining, so the roads were very muddy and the air very humid. On the bright side, we were driving through a rainforest. The view was amazing. When we finally entered Georgetown, we returned to the Ursuline convent, where the Sisters greeted us. After dinner, we immediately went to sleep in preparation for another long day.

Day Ten

LINA

Jarithza

Day Nine

Being back in Georgetown is strangely comforting. It’s like a transition stage between the rural plains of Karasabai and our city, New Orleans. Today, as we readjusted to the noise of the city — the music, the humming people, the honking cars — we ended up back where we started: the orphanage. The kids at St. Ann’s Orphanage were excited to see us return. They were eager to play, ready to laugh, and insistent upon attention.

But more than anything, these girls were easy to please. Amazed by the snap-andappear logistics of the digital camera, two girls presented a fashion show, and I was delighted to be the paparazzi. Sassy poses and pouty lips filled the memory space quickly.

The older girls particularly enjoyed a game we at Ursuline pride ourselves in: volleyball. They don’t have a net, and they don’t even have a properly inflated ball. But we still hit that sack of air over a wooden swing set for hours, losing track of scores and time. Homework was tackled too, not as enthusiastically of course, but we persisted, attempting to make some sense of pronouns and fractions. Eventually, the girls winded down, and all our energy was seemingly zapped. The sun too parted from our sight, as we headed back to the convent, ready for dinner and a long night’s rest.

We visit Marian Academy tomorrow.

All minds open.

ferry as l l a m s a a river on urney through d e s s o r c e W ur long jorgetown. With o f o t r a p a rest to Geo, are awesome UA o f n i a r e h t pictured ica Baker, Sarah t o n t u b , s u rs Jess e b m e m y and Alice t n n u facul G n i v , Ke Coles Gunnher.

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We had so much fun w St. Ann’s Orphanage! ith the kids at

Today, I was given the opportunity to visit Marian Academy, an Ursuline school in Georgetown. This experience helped me realize how great it is to attend a school where I can make connections with people all over the world. The school is extremely similar to our Ursuline in New Orleans. Sister Barbara and the other Ursuline nuns still run the school. Their dedication to their ministry is evident by the way they interact with the students. I was surprised to recognize that the people I met were just like my friends and me.

We had many similar interests.

While I was sitting in on an economics class, the students were trying to convince the teacher to let them practice for their upcoming festival, Mashramani.

Mashramani is an annual celebration that commemorates the birth of the Republic.

Guyana is composed of many cultural groups. The students were preparing a fashion show to showcase the diversity within Guyana. As the day came to an end, I was overcome with gratitude for Christian hospitality that was shown to us during our visit to Marian Academy. I hope to be able to mimic this kindness in my own actions.

Day Twelve, Final Day

EMILY

JOY

Day Eleven

At 3 a.m. sharp, we were awakened by the familiar voices of the Ursuline Sisters.

Today was a bittersweet day. We left the loud and sleepless city of Georgetown.

It was sad to know that the next day I would not be venturing out on a dirt road with the company of goats and cows in Karasabai. I would not be awakened by the harmonious voices of our teachers.

I would not be in the humid city of Georgetown within the walls of the cozy Ursuline convent. Despite the realization of all these things, I was excited to be going home. I wanted to share my stories with my family and friends. My companions and I knew our journey was not over, for our teachers constantly reminded us of this. Our journey had just started. As being a part of Ursuline’s first ever Beyond Our Borders Program, our legacy would lead on. We served as the pioneers for a program that we hoped would continue for years to come.

My wonderful experience started from the moment we stepped out of the plane, looked around at the beautiful mountains, and met all of the children who ran from their school to the landing area to meet us. Through serving them and simply getting to know them, I was able to learn a lot about their culture, personalities, and even challenges they faced.

The six of us answered St. Angela’s call to go beyond our borders to live out our motto of Serviam. Howard Thurman once said, “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” The immersion program to Guyana, South America changed my life, and the memories I have will stay with me always.

e s with th d n e i r f aking Academy! m d e v o l We arian M t a s t studen 13