Banff students to build homes in Honduras

A group of Banff high school students will set off to South America later this month to help build houses in Honduras.

The 12 students, Grades 10 to 12, will spend 10 days working with Habitat for Humanity in conjunction with their Global Village program.

"The hope is that it gives them an appreciation for what we have, and it opens their eyes to international and global situations. Travel is never a bad thing in my books," said principal David Brazeau, who will accompany the students on the trip.

The Global Village program provides participants with a unique opportunity to become actively involved with people of another culture.

"It's about making a difference in someone's life that is much less fortunate than myself," said student Ben Church.

The students will work alongside members of the Honduran community, raising awareness of the burden of poverty housing and helping to build decent, affordable housing.

"I'm really excited to be able to interact with the people down there, and learn about their culture and how they're experiencing life. It's so much different than our life here in Banff," said student Katy White.

This is the first time a group from Banff Community High School has participated in Habitat for Humanity.

"I think this gives a first-hand experience of what their lives are like. Before this, I knew Honduras was in South America, that's about it, and now it's going to be a real experience with families and an understanding of the culture down there," student Kayla Feragen.

Teacher Lindsey Williams, who will chaperone the trip with her husband, believes the students are fortunate to travel at this time in their lives, because in her experience, most young adults develop a sense of global responsibility in university.

"I hope they gain a bit of an appreciation for what they have and what other people in the world don't have, and a bit of a sense of responsibility of giving back to a different community," said Williams.

Student Leah Macnamara also believes it is important for the people of Honduras to realize there are students who care about global issues.

"It gives them some hope to see people come in and building things for them and actually taking an interest in their needs and what is going on in their country," she said.

Principal Brazeau, who has done similar trips with students which he previously taught, said his choice to support Habitat for Humanity comes from the fact that it is a well-respected organization.

"They have a history of being efficient, effective and safe, so when you're taking a group of students, as opposed to going on your own, when all those pieces are put in place organizationally, it's the choice," said Brazeau.

Habitat for Humanity has provided the students with information booklets on Honduras.

For Church, who has been to Honduras once before, what stands out is the spirit of the people.

"When you go to a Third World country you see how little they have but how happy they can still be," said Church.

Brazeau can only hope that the students will continue to reflect on this trip after they get back.

"It begins to have real meaning, and to instill a sense of responsibility, a humanitarian sense that we're all responsible for the world - not just for Banff, or the park, or Alberta, or Canada, and maybe that is something that will continue throughout their lives and something they can pass on."