Wilmington College Students Visit FUM–Belize

Students from Wilmington College, led by WC Campus Minister Nancy McCormick, spent their Spring Break, March 8–15, in Belize at Belize Friends School, Centre, and Church, in Belize City. They volunteered in a number of capacities while there, including painting school rooms, leading games, and holding crafts sessions with children from the school’s neighborhood. Here are some of their reflections:

I was able to spend time with some of the most amazing students at Belize Friends School. At first, the kids were shy, but as time went on, they really started to open up. We did devotions with the kids every morning and I think that was a good activity to get their day started. We also hosted an after-school program for the kids, and this is where I really started to see them light up. Whether that was from playing volleyball or making bracelets, the kids always had a huge smile on their face.

Another thing I noticed about Belize Friends School is that all the teachers truly care about their students. Every morning, they would greet them with positivity and if any student needed anything, they would work together to help that student. They are constantly showering these kids with love in a way I have never seen before. The school is truly a community. I do not know what each student’s home life looks like from day to day, but I do know that whether it is good or bad, every kid deserves to be loved the way that those teachers love those kids. It would be a shame to see such a place go when its whole purpose is to give kids a second chance and make sure they have a safe space to learn, grow, and be loved. I really enjoyed my time at the school and hope one day I am fortunate enough to visit again.— Jaylah C. Captain

Belize Friends Second Chance School is more than just a school for kids struggling with math and reading, the Friends School represents a fighting chance for children of a vulnerable community to obtain an education after their school system, government, and society have given up on them. During my brief week being hosted by the school, I saw nothing but beautiful displays of kindness, appreciation, joy, selflessness, and respect, by both students and staff.

I was blessed to be able to join a wonderful group from Wilmington College and travel to this school and carry out community-building activities for both school students and other children in the community. By our last day, we had at least 60–75 kids sharing this time with us after school.

For most of this time, I was outside playing volleyball with kids of all ages, all working together and displaying teamwork, encouraging each other to succeed. I am confident volleyball with these kids will be something I always look back on and smile.

Before classes each day, we were each allowed to share a unique devotion with the kids. I was excited to share the story of Sadako and the thousand paper cranes. If you have not heard Sadako’s story, it is one of many sad stories about war that aim to promote peace and international community building. I folded origami paper cranes for each of the students and staff as a symbol of our newly-built community and friendship that spans roughly 1,600 miles across many borders.

I was also grateful to work with the Wilmington College group to complete tasks chosen by the school, which included painting a few rooms, fixing some plumbing, and other small items on their bucket list. I think I can speak for my entire team when I say we did not expect anything for doing this work, we just wanted to lend a helping hand, but the staff and students surprised us with a beautiful slide show, and art made from the heart to take home and remember this trip forever. While making no money, this was the highest-paid job I’ve ever worked, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

The work is not done at Belize Friends School, however. There are plenty more rooms to paint, and water supplies to upgrade. The school is in need of a new van capable of transporting students to and from the school. The school needs money to feed kids, who may be eating their first meal of the day there. And they need teaching supplies to provide these kids with the best education possible, because that is what they deserve, that is what EVERYONE deserves. Let us follow in the small footsteps of these children and show love, kindness, and selflessness as we are thinking about our friends so far away, and how we can help make their lives easier, and their education stronger.— Charles Mountjoy

‍