Junior travels abroad, assists impoverished villages

Photo Credit: Winston Chiriaco

Junior Winston Chiriaco revels in the beauty of his surroundings during his summer mission trip.

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October 18, 2011

Clare McMahon, Staff Writer

   Over the summer, junior Winston Chiriaco usually spends his time helping out at a summer camp in Vermont as a camp counselor.  However, this year he was instead offered a trip to Asia, which he gladly accepted.  While he was in Asia, Chiriaco did many exciting things, including visiting war museums, visiting temples and also helping the local villagers.

   Chiriaco usually goes to a camp in Vermont to work as a camp counselor during the summer.  The Vermont camp had connections in Cambodia, so they offered the apprentices at the camp, counselors from ages 16 to 17, a chance to explore, learn about the exotic culture and help the local villages that are in need.  Chiriaco traveled to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Bankok in Thailand, and Phenom Phen and Siem Reap in Cambodia.

   Chiriaco was in Asia from July 14 until Aug. 1.  While he was there, he took the opportunity to sight-see and explore the foreign lands, as any young and curious teenager would want.

   In addition, he visited war museums and temples such as Ankgor Wat.

   In the villages, Chiriaco helped the local villagers by doing manual labor.  His group assisted by tending to farms of the local villagers, planting and picking rice, mangos and other fruits.

   “People should not look to what they want but to what they have and be happy with it,” Chiriaco said.  Chiriaco considers himself a very fortunate young man – he has plenty of food to eat, beverages to drink, a nice and comfortable home, good clothes and a car to drive.  After his trip to all of those exotic places, Chiriaco has a new perspective of his life and how extremely fortunate he is.

   “You learn a lot about yourself when stepping out of your comfort zone and traveling to a new country,” Chiriaco said.

   One doesn’t leave unchanged from a trip like this.  After traveling abroad and helping those less fortunate than himself, Chiriaco has a greater appreciation for all of the things that he has.

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