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Fifteen Portsmouth Abbey students, accompanied by chaperones, traveled to Santiago, Chile, and the surrounding region July 8-20 on a unique community service program affiliated with the Manquehue Apostolic Movement. While there, the group toured the area, experienced the prayerful and community life aspects of the Manquehue's lay Catholic lifestyle, and constructed homes for local families in need.
Several students shared their thoughts, below, about the experience.
Helen Nelson '15:
"From exploring Santiago to participating in a parade on the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel to constructing two houses, the Chile trip was full of unforgettable experiences. As much fun as these adventures were, the trip has stuck with me on a more personal level. Ever since I graduated from the Abbey in May, it has been difficult coming to terms with the fact that I am not returning to the place that I have called home for the past four years. This trip was incredible because it exemplified my time at the Abbey; it was an opportunity to forge friendships with those around me and to strengthen my faith. Doing daily activities together, such as dining, cooking, cleaning, praying, and working, is an essential aspect of the Manquehue Movement's focus on community life, and it allowed me to quickly grow close with people outside of my main friend groups. This trip helped me realize that even though I will no longer be living at the Abbey, I will always be part of the community."
Conor Smith '18:
"I hopped off of the 9-hour flight from Atlanta in Santiago Airport, greeted by a (welcomed) gust of cold but fresh air. As it was my first time traveling outside of the country, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was excited and apprehensive at the same time.
"The next week was filled with bus rides, shoveling, laughing and prayer, many of which I initially had mixed feelings about, but I grew to appreciate each of them. The moments I spent with my friends, old or new, I miss even now. Looking back, the community we grew in the seemingly abandoned school was surprisingly similar to the smaller communities we share at the Abbey, either among our friends or in dorms. As much as the work and simpler lifestyle was tiring at certain points, I have never enjoyed a single 'vacation' or field trip a fraction more."
Mary Rose Hobbins '16:
"I didn't know what to expect going on the Chile trip; all I really knew was that there would be a religious aspect to it and we would be building a house for a family in need. Once we arrived in Santiago, we each stayed with different host families. They were very welcoming despite the language barrier, and it was extremely nice of them to let strangers into their houses.
"After touring Santiago for a few days, the community service portion of the trip began as we went off to build the house, or mediagua. We stayed at a school that was located in a less-fortunate area, and there we met many Chileans. After seven days of working to build the mediagua and praying, we became closer as a community. We all felt fortunate to experience the Chilean culture the way we did. This trip made a huge impact on my life, and I am very glad I went. I hope more Abbey will be able to participate in it in the coming years."
Mark Maley '17:
"The Chile trip started off for me as a community service opportunity that would look good on a college application. At first I sort of dreaded the trip, not knowing much about it. But my opinion immediately changed as soon as I was surrounded by the breathtaking Andes and kind-hearted Chileans. The trip not only gave me the chance to create a unique relationship with my teachers and classmates but it also gave me a relationship with God that I never knew I was capable of.
"The special thing about the Chile trip is the fact that it doesn't just provide you with a satisfying physical challenge (building houses for people in need), it also provides a mental challenge as well (building your spirituality with the help of your peers). In the end, my two-week trip that I just wanted to "get over with" turned into a trip that taught me valuable lessons I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I look forward to hopefully returning next year to get all that I can out of this remarkable experience."
The students participating in this year's trip were:
Kiahna Almeida '16
John Billings '17
Lucia Billings '18
Mary Rose Hobbins '16
Naythan Delgado '17
Michael Guyon '17
Mark Maley '17
Shane McCarthy '18
Karla Norton '18
Helen Nelson '15
David Oh '17
Kelila Ross '18
Conor Smith '18
Marcel Smith '17
Tom Teravainen '18