Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Napanee teen Oliver Tahamtan is among a handful of high school students preparing to travel to Jamaica in February on a service-learning trip.
Far from a tropical getaway, the purpose of the excursion will be to volunteer at primary and remedial schools for disadvantaged youth. They’ll also visit residents at Ozanam Home for the Aged, as well as assisting with the construction of a home for a family in need.
The trip is organized through Kingston’s Holy Cross Secondary School, where Tahamtan will be attending as a Grade 11 student next semester.
“I’ll be going there for a week and there will be 20 students and four teachers with us. We’re going to visit different schools,” said Tahamtan, who has been wanting to take a trip like this for a few years now. “When my sister went I saw photos of it and I always wanted to do it when I had the chance and then now I get the chance.”
The international visit was put on hold during the pandemic and is set to return for the first time since then next winter.
Leading up to the Feb. 14-21, 2025 trip, students are fundraising within their community. The cost of the trip itself is covered by the students. Any funds raised will go towards covering the cost of building the home as well as hoping those in need on the island.
Along with a carry-on bag of personal items, the airline is allowing students to bring an extra bag full of donated items that will be of great use for the Jamaican community. These include sports equipment items (balls, pumps, uniforms, frisbees), medical supplies (gauze, bandage, first-aid kids, tissues), school supplies, toys and games, sanitary products and art supplies.
“Their phones are taken away the first night they’re there so they don’t have access to their phones throughout the trip,” said Oliver’s mom Merola. “They don’t mind, they’re just so into this experience of helping out in Jamaica.”
Through community support and fundraisers hosted at the school over the next few months, the students are aiming to raise $10,000 for the build and an additional $5,000 to St. Patrick’s Foundation Projects.
Any individual or local business interested in donating to the trip can contact mnibourg@hotmail.com. Monetary donations to the cause are eligible for a tax receipt.