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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Volunteering on Vacation=Family Tradition
Raleigh Durham, NC
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Cardinal Gibbons Sphomore Makes an Impact in Guatemala
Summers for most teenage boys revolve around cars, girls, clothes and sports. So the typical reaction Andy Doyle receives when he tells his friends he spent his summer vacation volunteering in Guatemala is, “why”. His answer is simple and poignant, “because there’s a need”.
The 16 year-old cross country runner from Cardinal Gibbons High School crossed continents for the month of June along with his mother, father and two younger sisters. Traveling to a Spanish speaking country to help those in need has become a Doyle family tradition. The Doyles have volunteered on their vacation for six of the past seven years in Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and now Guatemala. The family bunked in one small room together and immersed themselves into life at an orphanage and school in the small town of Chichicastenango.
“We spend our money to expose our kids to something bigger than they are,” said Andy’s mother, Jenny Doyle. “I want them to see the humanity in everyone, and that it doesn’t matter what you have but who you are.”
During his freshman year in high school, Andy found a love for running and has dedicated himself to being a successful cross country runner. His athletic endeavors sparked the idea for the family to collect sports equipment for the children in Guatemala. On past vacations, it was not unusual to see kids play baseball with a tin can and a stick, so during the spring, Andy spent his money to purchase new equipment. His mother and sister hosted a charity drive at Exploris Middle School in Raleigh. The 500-pound haul they collected included baseball bats, gloves, tennis rackets, soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, golf clubs, volleyballs, a badminton set, and much more.
The best part about landing such a treasure trove was giving it all away to the young Guatamalan athletes.
“It was like a visit from Papa Noel (Santa Claus),” said Andy. “It made me feel great to be the person next to them while they laughed and scored a hoop. I could see they didn’t really need material things to be happy but it (the donated sports equipment) gave them hope for the future. They knew others cared.”
In Guatemala, Andy pitched in trimming trees with the gardener, painting the school and tutoring English. But his primary role was to teach PE classes throughout the schoolday to the students ranging in age from five years old to teenagers. Each day he chose a different sport, taught the fundamental skills, and played competitive games with them. He quickly found out kids in Guatemala love sports as much as those in America. They knew all the sports from TV but in many cases had never had the equipment to try them before.
“All the guys want to be professional soccer or basketball players,” said Andy. “They also love football and convinced me to play tackle football a couple of times. Volleyball was the girls’ favorite sport. I was surprised they really didn’t care for tennis.”
The differences in culture and lifestyle for the kids in Chichicastenango, the third poorest area in Guatemala, are what left a lasting impression on Andy. He was astounded at how hard the kids worked in and outside of school. Many girls at the orphanage used their free time to weave cloths to sell in the market after school. Boys would also sell wares in the street or work in the fields after class.
“They just don’t get rewarded very well for how hard they work,” said Andy. “There is a consequence for not working hard there, if they don’t they will end up as nothing or as drug traffickers or prostitutes. It’s really a life or death situation and they know it. “I felt so fortunate for what I have and almost ashamed. They were an inspiration to me.”
The impact of the family trips on Andy’s life is undeniable. His work ethic, self-discipline and attitude towards others have been shaped by his experiences.
“These trips have helped me see that we’re really all closely connected,” said Andy. “I feel like now that I have experienced helping people, I should and will for the rest of my life in some form.”
Next year, Chile is destination of choice and Andy is hoping to convince his friends to come along, get “connected” and experience a life-changing vacation.
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