BELIZING IN THE POWER OF BOOKS
BEYOND OUR BORDERS 2015-2017 Victoria Cogan, Annelise Ernst, Kari Grace Plunkett, and Catey Riddick
CHAPTER 1: Personal Experience: Year One
•PERSONAL EXPERIENCE •
VICTORIA First Year I was always interested in being part of going to Belize. I really wanted to apply to go as a sophomore, but I didn’t really have enough courage to do it. I kept telling myself that there was no way that I could make it because so many girls were applying and only 12 could go, so I just put it off. The next year came and my grandma really believed that I had a shot. She kept pushing me to apply, so I finally did. To my surprise, I actually got accepted to go on this life changing trip. If it weren’t for my grandma encouraging me, I wouldn’t have this amazing experience to share with everyone today. The severals months leading up to Belize were actually pretty difficult. We had biweekly meetings where we discussed and processed so much information. We had several responsibilities we were accountable for: fundraising, getting the student body involved, etc. Throughout this process, it was very difficult yet very rewarding. There was so much talked about that you could not help but start thinking about everything that was going to happen on the trip. What was expected was much different than what actually occurred.
My expectations quickly disappeared almost as soon as we got off the plane. Our schedule had been basically already forgotten because we were on “Belize Time.” The second day in Belize we were already beginning the process of building the house. With all our hard work and dedication to build this house for this woman and her two children, we were able to successfully build her a brand new house. With all of this hard work we were able to enjoy ourselves a little by walking to the fruit stand and going swimming and snorkeling. In all, my experience was much different than expected. It was truly a life changing and rewarding privilege to be able to build a house for someone who cannot afford it for herself. Through this trip, I learned that we should never think less of a person because of their financial status. Every human is given the same rights and deserves the same opportunities and respect as any other person. That is why you should always,
• PERSONAL EXPERIENCE•
ANNELISE Why did you apply?
I applied because I felt called to encounter the world through a whole new perspective, an experience focused on service, in order to encounter different cultures and ways of life. I felt that I was ready to take the teachings of St. Angela and Ursuline’s motto, Serviam, into my own hands. I was also motivated to pursue something I had never done before and to step out of my comfort zone. What did you hope to get out of the experience? I hoped to gain a new sense of understanding of the world. This did not have to be something monumental, but I wanted to expand my ability to adapt to change, to see from other perspectives, and to develop a basis for understanding inequality and the social issues that trouble our world. What fears did you have going into the experience? I was mostly unsure about what our group dynamic would be like. We were all so different, so I was worried how we would all mesh, especially since we were going to have to spend a week working, learning, and living together. Luckily, I had nothing to worry about because we all came together as a group successfully.
What most excited you about the opportunity to participate in the Beyond Our Borders Program? I was excited to travel to Belize, a country in which I had family connections, to be able to experience the culture, people, and life experience. My grandmother is from Belize, and it was so exciting for me to be able to be a link between my family past and the present. I was also excited to give up technology and all my worries for a week to be 100% focused on the present in order to help the family we would be serving. This prospect was special because it enabled me to fully focus myself on the large task at hand, giving up my own needs and worries to help satisfy the greater needs of someone else. How did you prepare for Belize? I tried to participate fully in all our preparation activities, get to know our group better, and to go with the flow as we prepared ourselves to embark on such a journey. However, because I had many many friends who had participated in the program the year before, I had to make sure not to rely too hard on what their experiences were because I did not want any expectations to be set. I believe this mentality prepared me for the trip the most because it allowed me to be open-minded and open to my own, specific experience.
• Cont. • What was the first year of the program like for you? The first year of the program was a little uncertain in the beginning, just because we were a diverse group and I was not yet comfortable with the group as a whole. As the year went on, sometimes it was even hard for me to remember that I was going to Belize because I was so busy and distracted. However, as the time grew near, I grew to be more and more excited. Was Belize what you expected it to be? Belize was beyond any expectation because I tried so hard not to limit myself with preconceived notions of how Belize would be for me. Because of this, I was fully able to live in the moment in Belize and reflect on every instant with a clear mind. This made my experience so enjoyable and complete, because even when something went wrong, I was able to confront it without being tainted by doubts or other understandings.
What about your time had the greatest impact on you? How did your time in Belize change you? The people we met and the scenes we encountered had the greatest impact on me because they are what made me reflect on my perception of Belize and even just my perception of my own life. Seeing how Lunette and her family interacted with us and with what little they had made me reflect on how I approached my own life. Being submersed in the present moment also gave me the ability to let go of all my worries and responsibilities in my life. I learned to value my time with others and with the world without distraction more than before as well. I don’t think I fundamentally changed as a person because I went to Belize. However, I do believe Belize enabled me to listen and observe more, and to not take the power I have as an individual to create a change for granted. I also believe that my experience in Belize solidified my understanding of what I want to do for a living in the future, as I hope to pursue a career in nonprofit work or in the legal area of nonprofit work, fighting for a social justice-based cause. Additionally, I believe Belize gave me the ability to confront and consider situations with a broader eye. 4
• PERSONAL EXPERIENCE •
KARI GRACE I had actually applied the year before, but I did not get accepted, so it was difficult to decide whether or not I wanted to try and get accepted again because of the fear of rejection. I went with my gut, and I am so happy I did. Once I got accepted, the adventure began. I was hesitant with the group at the beginning because we are all different people with different personalities, but we worked so well together. We all came up with amazing ideas to fundraise, and when we decided on doing something, we all put in 110% to get the job done. The dodgeball tournament was really fun because we got the students and faculty to battle it out. Seeing so many people having fun just made our job of planning and organizing worth it. When it came to crunch time in preparations for Belize, I was nervous with spending a week without communication with my parents. I had never gone to a different place unless I was with my parents, but this time I was excited and scared at the same time. It took a couple months to get everything together, but only when the plane took off did I finally realize that this was actually happening.
In Belize, I was amazed by the beauty of the world and the people. Nature was at its best there with the clear water and vibrant forest. The people were very laid back, and instead of the busy life of NOLA, it was nice to see people going with the wind. We got to the building site and the work started. I wasn’t so sure how this whole building a house would work, but I was optimistic. The first couple of days were really hard because for starters, it would have been great to take some hammering lessons because what seemed like a simple task just completely put me in my place. The people we built with helped us so much because I came onto the site thinking, “Yea, ima build a house. It's gonna be easy!” Well, I quickly realized I was wrong. I had to take a step back and instead of diving in, take time to be taught how to do something. As the days and work went on, the anticipation to finish this house grew. Getting close to the others working and the family was a blessing. Even though I wanted to finish the house, i didn't want to finish being with them.
•Cont.•
When the final day came, all the hard work was paid off. We did it. We built a house. How many 18 year olds can say that? I felt so accomplished and grateful for what we did and what was done. Overall, this experience really helped me come to terms with the harsh reality of this world. Not everyone has it easy. Upon returning home, the first thing I did was hug my mom, cry, and tell her thank you. Some may think that this is just boring and not worth it but trust me, if you think that, come and actually do it. I promise you won't be thinking that in the end. Now I just remind myself to always go with my gut.
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• PERSONAL EXPERIENCE •
CATEY Why did you apply? Ever since I was younger, I have dreamed of doing something like this. My brother did a mission trip with Jesuit, and he loved it and was also inspired by that. I used to watch American Idol with my grandma all of the time, and every year, American Idol did this huge fundraiser to build water-wells in Africa. I wanted to be just like those people, and I wanted to help out people as well. What did you hope to get out of the experience? I wanted to experience what it was like to really do something for someone else. Every year we do service hours, but I really wanted to see how a random group of 12 girls could REALLY REALLY change someone's life. What fears did you have going into the experience? To be honest getting sick because you hear about all of the disease in poorer countries. The media is always talking about diseases from foreign countries and they even have entire shows built around that subject.
What most excited you about the opportunity to participate in the Beyond Our Borders Program? Getting to meet people in another country. Ever since I was younger, I was obsessed with the idea of culture, and it still fascinates me today. The idea of people living completely different from your bubble blows my mind. I COULD NOT WAIT to meet whoever the house was for. How did you prepare for Belize? I have never been out of the country, so I had no clue what to expect. My parents went to Belize before, and they said that everyone speaks perfect english. When I was there that was not exactly true and so I was totally mentally unprepared for that. I also resisted the urge of looking up Belize pictures on the internet. I wanted to be totally surprised.
CATEY • PERSONAL EXPERIENCE CONT. • What was the first year of the program like for you? It was awesome getting to know people that you used to just pass up in the halls for all those years. We also had a ton of fundraising. I got to create Brenda the Belize cup, and I had no clue that she would blow up this big. I had sooo much fun with the girls creating videos of Brenda and creating her very own Instagram. Was Belize what you expected it to be? Like I said, the language was totally shocking to me since my parents gave me false information. I really did not expect anything but a lot of poverty. Even going in knowing that there would be poverty but seeing it up close will forever be shocking and will completely blindside you. What about your time had the greatest impact on you? Getting to know how the family lived really impacted me because it was soooo shocking. Living in the suburbs of New Orleans, it's not everyday that you get to be up close to that extreme poverty. It makes me want to continue helping the poor in my own community and the global community. How did your time in Belize change you? It made me FALL IN LOVE with another country and it has inspired me to want to help people in the future. This really made me want to pursue a career that I could help people. I will never be the same after seeing how they lived and hearing their stories. My dream is to drive down that long dirt road into Biscayne Village right you to that yellow and red house and knocking on the door to see Lunette and her kids.
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CHAPTER 2: Project Inspiration
PROJECT INSPIRATION
What did you see, feel, or hear while in Belize that inspired you to action?
Our group recognized the distinct differences between the lives of Lunette and her children and our own lives, such as differences in resources, shelter, and daily activities. We saw the reality of Lunette’s children running around barefoot in piles of trash, their clothes dirty and untidy. They were not in school or in early childhood care, and they had to be watched over all day. This appeared to be a challenge for Lunette and her family. However, though they had so little material goods, we could see the positivity that permeated through the air. Lunette was so grateful about the prospect of her new house, and when we presented her with the keys to her new home, she immediately became emotional and held her children tight, sharing the moment with them. This allowed us to focus on the positives of what we had done as well as the beginning of a longterm change. Though miles away and lifestyles apart, we identified Lunette’s love for her children and care for their well-being throughout impoverished circumstances. Also, we met children at Hand In Hand’s AIDS shelter and preschool, though we noticed the lack in educational materials they had, including books. This gave us a direct link between the theme of education and ideas for our project.
▪
Why is the event or observation that inspired you significant?
Seeing Lunette’s children as well as
these kids surrounded by poverty and
other neighborhood kids in their living
disadvantage, we began to reflect on the
environments was a reminder of the
idea that education was necessary in the
importance of childhood development.
gateway to success in life. Lunette’s love
Quality of schools, nurture, and physical
for her children was strong, yet there was
environment affects overall well-being
only so much she could do to provide for
and likelihood of success in life. With
them on her own. It sometimes takes 11
outside influence to have a desired effect, and with that,
and emotionally for kids at young ages who might not
we thought that if we could provide that outside
otherwise be receiving it is beneficial to the child’s
influence to children in disadvantaged situations, we
future. Especially, serving a child is serving the future,
could promote true positivity and commitment to
and hopefully, this will improve the outcome of their
continuing our service we performed in Belize. If a
success in life.

difference is going to be made, it starts in education. It is the primary way to uproot a child from a bleak situation of poverty, family discord, or other forms of strife. Education is the root to change because it provides opportunity: opportunity to learn, to network, to discover passions and talents, and to find positive, motivating role models. How is this observation related to something in New Orleans? 
 In New Orleans, we have high rates of poverty. Therefore, our school system suffers, and kids find themselves susceptible to outside influences. Their parents can only do so much because providing educational and emotional support adds to the burden of already trying to provide financially and meet basic human needs. Therefore, we decided to focus our project around education and the well-being of children because providing a positive influence educationally 12
CHAPTER 3 The Issue
THE ISSUE Why does the problem exist? How prevalent is the issue in New Orleans?
This problem exists in part because of the tendency for humans to be self-motivated and selfish when it comes to living in society and treating other people. Over time, those who are poor and disadvantaged have slowly become more and more impoverished, not receiving proper education; therefore, they have not been able to obtain proper jobs, remaining poor as they raise their own families. They become stuck in this cycle, as the same circumstances are encountered by their children. As these children grow up, the lack of resources presented to them translates into their educational development. A disparity in educational development arises, as students in poverty and from other disadvantaged backgrounds are not exposed to the same level of educational materials and resources as those from wealthier or more privileged backgrounds. One example of this problem is the focus area of reading and education. The lack of monetary resources, time, and other factors beyond the child’s control determine the child’s development, or lack thereof, to essential developmental processes. However, the problem is not solely limited to those in poverty. Children everywhere are receiving less and less exposure to reading materials at early ages, which can directly translate in future education and life success.
This issue is extremely prevalent in the city of New Orleans today. With a high poverty rate (higher than the U.S. average), high crime rates, and one of the lowest state education ratings nationwide, it is especially challenging for New Orleans’ students to receive proper exposure to educational and reading materials. These standards reflect themselves in pure statistics, such as test scores, school dropout rates, and the percent of students attending college.
The Issue Who is affected by this issue?
Why should the general public care about your issue?
All students are affected by this issue. It takes outside forces for children to be exposed to reading at young ages, such as persistent parents who have the time, resources, understanding, and ability to read and devote educational time to their kids. However, it is more likely that children from underprivileged backgrounds are impacted by a lack of exposure because it is less likely that their parents and/or adult figures have the time or ability to meet these needs.
It is important for people to be aware of our issue because in its nature, education is a fundamental root that connects to all other issues present in our world today. Inequality in our society can be traced to education as the exposure it provides to children, especially to essential skills such as reading and comprehension skills, translates in all aspects of their academic and professional careers. Children who develop relationships with reading and valuing their education carry that with them as they grow older, making it more likely for them to develop the skills necessary for higher performance in school, leading into better opportunities for college and for their careers. Ultimately, this issue is important for all people to address because children are the future of our society. If we believe in the common good, supporting people of all backgrounds, in future innovation, in a high standard of living, and overall success as a people, we must support education and reading exposure for all people. As a caring, compassionate people, we must take it upon ourselves to care for our younger generations as well as the general success
Is this an issue that impacts us directly at Ursuline? 
 Yes, this impacts us directly at Ursuline because this affects children from all backgrounds. Though at Ursuline we are exposed to a thorough, broad education, what happens outside of school seriously impacts our appreciation for education and learning as well as our success in life. Every child needs a foundation for their academic career to begin, and if it is not being fully met, they are already at larger setbacks than their peers who have met the foundation.

of all people.

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CHAPTER 4 Action
• Action • We partnered with the Metropolitan Women and Children’s Shelter, which is a shelter that works to help families and women who face domestic violence. They offer physical shelter, counseling services, and childcare services including many different play groups and services for kids in the shelter. They also continue offering their services for families who do not reside in the shelter. We chose to work with this particular group of the population to address our issue because we thought that the children in the play group were especially at risk in their educational development because of the erratic circumstances they could face in the shelter, in tough family situations, and the like. We decided we wanted to start with a basic idea, which was reading and education. We figured that working with children would be the most effective in addressing our issue because
children are most impressionable and at the prime age in development. We thought that doing a reading group with the kids would give the children an increased exposure to reading and books that they might not otherwise be getting because of their home/family situation.
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• Action: Our Plan • Starting in late September/October, we attended the shelter once a week on Mondays (2 students per week, we alternated who goes so we are only individually going every other week) to read a few set books chosen by us per trip to the children in the shelter. Once finished reading, we assisted every child in the group with creating one page for a story book. We assigned the children a simple prompt, “I dream,” with which the kids would draw a picture to describe what they dream of, whether that’s for their future or if it is what they dream of at night. We collected the pages to construct a book to give to the shelter. We also helped the kids
In addition to our regular project with the shelter, we also helped them with their annual Halloween party. We created halloween-themed doors to hang up a week before the party, in order to make the shelter more fun for the children and add some excitement for the holiday. We also attended the Halloween party and helped facepaint, decorate cookies, and trick or treat with the kids there.
in play group with whatever we were directed to do to assist. Additionally, we raised funds to supply books for their library so as to increase the options the students have for books to read. We also are giving the shelter the book created by the children at the end of our time to go along with the other books.
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• Action: Connected to Ursuline •
Then, we worked to find a way to incorporate our message and project at Ursuline, which was relatively easy to accomplish, for Ursuline is a school that educates girls of all ages and from all backgrounds. We decided to partner with multiple clubs: NHS, Tri-M, Lion’s Pride, and Peer Ministry in order to offer homework help for kids in aftercare. Also, we presented some of the kids with “I dream” pages so that we could connect these responses to the kids at the shelter. We are using these pages to put together the book along with the responses from the kids at the shelter so that we can physically represent the connection between these children of different backgrounds: how their dreams can be comprised of many of the same elements that exist among all children. It also demonstrates the common unifier education has, as it is the key to fulfilling dreams, no matter how big or small.
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• Action: Ref lection • Did your final product match your plan? Our final product mostly matched our plan. We successfully accomplished all that we wanted to accomplish in terms of our actual project. We have yet to implement the parts with giving the books to the shelter, but once that is complete, we will have been
activities was made difficult. Because of this, we were sometimes unable to complete visits that were scheduled, we would have to cancel, or vice versa. However, this was all made worth it through the times we were able to go. If you could start over, what would you do differently? We would make sure that our plans were more concrete, and that we would make communication more of a priority. Sometimes, we would have to think on our feet due to not having everything planned out, which although it worked out, it would have been smoother having more of concrete “lesson” plans to
successful in our project. What worked? The shelter was very accommodating and open to all our ideas. We were able to help them with their halloween party, provide extra hands in play group, and offer the kids more to do than before. The kids were excited to work with us and to listen to
bring to the shelter.
us read to them as well. What didn’t work? Sometimes, there were miscommunications between the shelter and out schedule of coming. We had to be careful when working with the play group times because sometimes the times would change, kids were not able to go last minute, and other challenges sprung up. It was also challenging working with all of our group member’s schedules to coordinate going to the shelter. What was your biggest challenge? Why was this a challenge? The biggest challenge was working between our schedules and the shelter’s schedule, as well as within our own group determining who could go to the shelter and when. This was a challenge because among all parties, there were many different obligations and limitations, and trying to organize our visits and 20
What was your greatest success? 
 Our greatest success was most likely the halloween party. Although this event did not have anything directly to do with our project focus, we worked very hard to create the door decorations to hang up at the shelter. It was amazing see how much the shelter loved the decorations, and we could see how much the kids loved them. Then, volunteering at the Halloween party was a great experience because we got to bond with a larger amount of kids, learn more about them, and see how excited they were about our decorations and even just us being there. We then helped them trick-or-treat throughout the building, giving out candy. This event made us realize how meaningful our project was, and even if it was not directly related to our education focus, it made us understand how the most basic aspect of our service at the shelter- the attention we gave to the kids- was the underlying importance. What did you learn from the process?
 We learned that though the kids at the shelter might be undergoing some difficult times at home, they are still just kids. They dream just like any other kid, and they want the best for their families and for their situation. Yet, although they are still just kids, they are going through things that are unimaginable; therefore, it was essential for us to to provide that extra attention, love, and exposure to reading and educational activities to do as much as we could to fill a gap.

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CHAPTER 5 Personal Experience: Onward
•ONWARD•
VICTORIA The second year of this program was so much harder than the first year. The second year, you are basically on your own, and you decide what you make of it. My small group decided we wanted to focus on the education of youth, and we are helping at the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children. We call our group “Belizeing in the Power of Books.” I felt called to this group because while in Belize, I noticed that many children were not attending school when they should be. I believe that educating the youth is extremely important. At first, it was very difficult to try to decide how to turn what we wanted to do into reality. We were very lucky that Ursuline already had a relationship with the shelter because if not, it would have been so much more difficult to find a place to start our plan.
Throughout this process, it was extremely difficult to push through and to accomplish anything, but through the hard work and dedication that many of us put it, we made it work. Through this, it has sculpted my understanding towards the less fortunate and further deepened my faith, and with that, I hope to be able to continue this throughout college and after college.
• ONWARD •
ANNELISE The second year of our experience has been especially challenging, especially since it has involved more independent work individually and in a group. Additionally, it is so easy to believe that you are passionate about change and an issue without actually moving to do anything about it. Therefore, the second year of our project has been more demanding, yet personally, I feel like I have been much more engaged, challenged, and inspired to put forth effort and passion for my project. This year has given me the experience necessary for me to uncover a passion I hope to pursue in the future. Working with all the staff and children at the Metropolitan Women and Children’s center confirmed my belief that I want to pursue a career that is focused on fighting a social problem, whether that’s through law, non-profit work, or social work. Overall, my project this year has taught me one thing: my experience with the Beyond Our Borders program will never be forgotten, as it has empowered me to devote my life to service, whether it is through working to address the education gap or any other social problem.
• ONWARD •
KARI GRACE In the second year we are called to action to try and help our community. We brainstormed and realized that basic education and success in life started with children. We partnered with a women's shelter that also accommodates mothers. Here we went every week to read to the children. Along with this we created a book to donate to the shelter by asking the children what they dream about and titling the book “I Dream…” We also bought books to donate to the shelter, then people donated money to pay for the books. This year gave us the opportunity to help out a shelter by giving them books for children.
From this year, I learned that it takes a lot of time and dedication to make even a little change in a community. Even though it was hard to figure what to do and how to do it, I never gave up in my ability to achieve the group’s goal. I plan to move forward with more determination than ever and will continue service throughout college and my adult life.
• ONWARD •
CATEY We partnered with the Metropolitan Center for battered Women and Children that I have never heard before. I had no idea what to expect and what to think going. We wanted to do education because we noticed that Lunette’s children did not go to school. So, we wanted to read and draw to the kids at the shelter. When we arrived, the kids were awesome, but you could tell that they have been through something terrible. It was fun to let them forget a while and just have fun reading and drawing. We also threw them an awesome halloween party which we tried to recreate a normal halloween party and it was loads of fun. As Christians, we are called to service. Service is one of my favorite things to do. That love of service comes from my parish because they are the most giving people I know. I learned so much from giving to Belize that I can bring back to my community. Like Scripture says, we are called to service and to help one another, and I will continue to carry that out by doing service in New Orleans and hopefully doing service in college.
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS •
THANK YOU
We would like to thank Mrs. Haik and Mrs. Buckley for being the BEST mentors anyone could ever ask for. Thank you for giving us advice and always pushing us to get the job done. Thank you for dedicating your time, planning periods, and ideas and energy. Our project wouldn’t be what it was without you! Thank you Ms. Baker for giving us the opportunity to embark on this journey, for always being there to guide us on the right path, and for believing in us all the way. Thank you to the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children for working with us, to Darlene Santana and Brittney Puyau for being so generous to welcome us into their space and shelter, and to all the children and families at the shelter who have made all of the hard work so worth it. Thank you to the Ursuline community for lending a helping hand whenever we needed it, to the clubs that partnered with us, and to anyone who supported us along the way. And finally, thank you to our friends and family for giving us the courage and motivation to persevere. Thanks again!