Bloomington High School North, Nikean, 2016, Page 6

Description:	1% *Senior Spends a Week Giving Back toChildren in Central Americaby Jenna Popp: i sWhile many people relaxed on the beachI or slept at home during Spring Break,senior Joy Brown improved the lives ofstruggling children in Guatemala.This wasnt her first time devoting herspring break to help those in need.My best friend and I have beenfundraising together, and we went on thetrip this year and last year, she said.1 Through Sherwood Oaks Christianj Church, Brown was able to embark onI the trip for a week with other highI school students. The team flew toGuatemala City and then took a bus tothe city of Chimaltenango where theH group did maintenance jobs. Brown wasable to use her art abilities to rejuvenateI buildings and furniture at the Agua VivaI Childrens Home in Chimaltenango.JT did a lot of painting, Brown said. ■ painted the boys dorm, and scrapedass. down old tables, and repainted those.The appreciation from the children wasI easily observable for Brown as childrencame up and hugged her and presented asmall play to her group. This touchedher heart as she realized how privilegedshe was compared to the Guatemalanchildren.I Guatemala go through, Brown noticedI something special about their\| personality.You can tell there is poverty, but theyare relationship oriented and care moreabout people, not things, Brown said.They are happy and friendlier in! Guatemala than in America.I As Brown embarks on a new journeyI after high school, she hopes to take thelessons she learned in Guatemala withher.T want to be more people oriented, amore family and relationship orientedperson, Brown said.In college, Brown also hopes to studyabroad and go on more mission trips.Her past abroad experiences haveinspired her to continue to discover the; world around her. She recommendsgetting involved in mission trips toi build love for others and becomeI passionate about helping those in need.It is a great experience, Brown said.There are lots of trips out there, so find! a church or organization that has a good\| program, talk to others, and go[somewhere you love.Yet, despite the hardships of poverty the1 children and the general population of
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomnorth/id/8140
Collection:	Bloomington High School North

Further information on this record can be found at its source.