Grenada Today - The National Newspaper of Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique

It's a tropical vacation these teenagers will likely never forget. Instead of enjoying a carefree sun-filled holiday on a beach, 33 Milton District High School students will be in Grenada for two weeks helping to rebuild and repair homes after the devasation caused last September's Hurricane Ivan.

More than 90 per cent of the small island's 95,000 inhabitants had their homes damaged or blown away and their economy is in ruin.
"I think it's going to change us all,'' said Sean Anderson, 18 and in Grade 12 at the Milton high school.

"We're not going for fun; we'll be there to work and to help as much as we can. This is something I needed to do.'' Accommodation in Grenada will be in tents with outdoor showers. The locals will help the teenagers prepare meals.

Students have also been studying Grenada in class, learning about the island's history, geography, politics, climate and economy. The group which will be getting support from Mattamy Homes Ltd will be leaving on March 26 with the hopes of building 10 small shelters (300 square feet) and repairing 11 roofs in the community of Corinth in St. David's.

"This is a serious project, it's not for fun but I'm sure it will be exciting, we're all looking forward to helping", said Brittany Russell, a student. Russell 17, in Grade 12, said the students going on the trip had to apply for a spot, and part of the final decision on who would be going was based on ability.

"A lot of us have helped on projects with our parents around the house,'' said Russell, who has helped her family build a dock. "This is a serious project, it's not for fun but I'm sure it will be exciting. We're all looking forward to helping.''

Science teacher Geoff Orton said he was approached before Christmas by a parent, Ingrid VonCube (a mother of one of his students) and that her idea initiated four months of planning, education and research. Other students at the school have been doing their bit to contribute and have been raising money to pay for building supplies, equipment rental and help defray transportation costs.

Dani Tetrault, 16 and in Grade 11, says many people are confused about the project and think they are going to help the survivors of the tsunami that devastated South Asia. Orton and Mattamy Homes employee Stan Voutier have just returned from an information gathering trip to the Caribbean island and say the destruction is beyond belief, but that the people are resilient and working hard to get back to normal.

"But they need some help. A large portion of the economy is based on the growing of nutmeg, and much of the crop was ruined by the extreme winds. It's rare for a system to go as far south as Grenada and it's the first time in 50 years the island has been hit by such a storm. "The houses couldn't take the stress,'' said Orton. "They just weren't prepared.''

Voutier said Mattamy officials are still in the process of planning its support, but that he expects the firm will play a large role and that staff is already designing an easily constructed home. "This is a serious project, it's not for fun but I'm sure it will be exciting. We're all looking forward to helping.''

The students will get instructions on how to use tools and assemble the small homes. Orton says the project will hopefully prepare and motivate students to get involved in international humanitarian initiatives while developing skills in communication, interpersonal relationships, leadership, teamwork and problem solving.

"They'll acquire an appreciation of how lucky we are in Canada, of diversity and the importance of contributing to their community and helping others through their lives,'' said Orton. Xander Sereda, 18 and in Grade 12, has travelled to Spain and Costa Rica, but says this trip is unique.

"We want to make a difference,'' he said. "These people need help and we'll be doing our best. It's going to be an incredible experience for everybody.'' The school is seeking financial donations and will accept building and medical supplies as well.