Rochester General New Vision Students Travel to Belize with Intervol

April 8, 2009 

Students have always been a part of the medical mission of Belize, but for the March 2009 trip the students were not just tagging along. Organizing by Francesca Pennino, senior at Notre Dame University, five local Rochester high school students completed a service-learning curriculum before the trip. The preparation for the trip included researching the culture and people of the country, as well as practicing their teaching skills for the classrooms.

Conor Phelan of Pittsford Sutherland, Managala Patil of Pittsford Mendon, Mike Mattiucci of Webster Thomas, Hannah Schwabe of Webster Schroeder, and Claire Brodie of Brighton participated.  The Rochester students worked with Belizean high school students to develop programs for both primary and secondary schools.  Topics ranged HIV and AIDS education to dealing with peer pressure.

The most surprising aspect of the experience for the students was the fact that the students understood all of the information they were presenting to them, but they just did not use it in their daily lives.  Hannah commented on how the social norms have a big influence on the student's behavior in Belize.  Conor agreed, stating that it was scary how well even the little kids could act out instances of pressuring their friends to try drugs.

The Rochester students used games and interactive activities to get the students excited.  Most of their regular school day is simply memorizing what the teacher says or reading out of books.

The response in the schools was phenomenal and they wrapped up the week with a public health fair, which was attended by multiple schools.

The trip was eye-opening for all of the students and they arrived how exhausted from chasing kids around all day.

For more information on the volunteer opportunities with Intervol, please visit their Web site at: http://www.intervol.org

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