In My Opinion Column: Volunteering in Jamaica changed my life

About this time last year, I made the decision to trade in my Christmas break for 12 days in the Jamaican sunshine with Ignacio volunteers. I expected to have the time of my life while serving the people of Kingston, Ad Majorem Dei Glorium.

I expected to run a classroom full of eager children, to serve the elderly at Mother Teresa's Home for the Destitute and Dying, to play with the children at the local children's hospital. I did not expect to have my perspective permanently altered without my realization.

This summer I went on a vacation to San Antonio, TX. We stayed at an extravagant resort with five restaurants, three pools, four water slides, a spa, a golf course, and just about everything you never needed.

The size of the hotel and its grounds astounded me--you could literally get lost inside the main building alone. The pool area was barely short of a water park, and there were hotel workers in brightly colored uniforms taking food orders. Kids giggled as they splashed each other, parents drank margaritas poolside- the atmosphere was completely relaxed and peaceful. But I have never felt as sickened in my entire life.

All I could think about were the kids in Kingston. The ones who drank water out of the filthy bathroom sink with their non-anti bacterially cleansed hands, who played soccer for hours in the dirt without the relief of air condition afterwards, who probably did not eat more than a meal a day. And here I was, paying $10 for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while lying in a giant oasis.

I was disgusted at myself for spending that much money to "get away" for a few days when that same amount of money would probably last me about a year in Jamaica. I was saddened by the fact that little boys like Nathan and Raheem- fun loving, rambunctious kids no different at heart from the boys running around the pool- would probably never have the chance to slide down a giant water slide. I was mad that this is what I did to enjoy myself, when the elderly at Mother Teresa's needed much less to be just as content.

Eight months later, what I experienced in Kingston is still as fresh in my mind as it was days afterwards.

Unfortunately, I cannot say that I have simplified my life as much as I would like to. I am still a spoiled 21 year old in the ever-fortunate United States of America, plagued by the dollar menu at McDonald's every other day. But I am different.

It is challenging to find a way to give back when tuition, loans and living expenses haunt my bank account. However, I have found that there are many little things I can do, like give the homeless man the money I was going to spend on Felipe's, or spend some of my extra time volunteering instead of Facebooking.

I cannot change the world, but I can change myself. I would not trade the experience I had in Jamaica or the perspective I got from it for all of the chocolate in the world. Now for all the Jamaican patties in the world… nah, not even that.

Rebecca Connick is a biology senior. She can be reached at

raconnic@loyno.edu

In My Opinion is a weekly column open to any Loyola student. Those interested in contributing can contact

letter@loyno.edu