Eleven members of the St. Joseph’s Academy class of 2009 spent June 26 through July 6 in Nicaragua, working with Sister Dianne Fanguy, CSJ, in Ciudad Sandino. Sr. Dianne, a 1957 graduate of the Academy, has spent more than 15 years in Nicaragua, living and working at Cantera, an internal refugee camp. The 10-day mission trip marked the first time a group of high school students traveled to Nicaragua to offer service.

“The Nicaraguan culture is an astounding one; everyone faces hopeless challenges, but their spirit is one of love and compassion.” Elisabeth Laughlin '09

The group arrived in Managua on June 26 and toured poverty-stricken neighborhoods, including NuevaVida, a post-Hurricane Mitch city. Among the missionaries’ activities were an ecological hike and tour with youth from Ciudad Sandino; community action with rural youth; working and playing with pre-school children; and reflection. The missionaries also enjoyed visiting a volcano, shopping in local markets, folk dancing and touring Managua.

Campus Minister Tori McRoberts and SJA Spanish teacher Amanda Hebert led the group.

“This trip seemed to be the appropriate segue from high school to college because the group of recent graduates was able to connect so much of what they have learned about their faith in their high school years,” McRoberts said. “They were able to identify with people on the deepest level, sharing their hopes and dreams for the future while acknowledging the privilege they experience. Specifically, the girls reflected on the blessing it has been to have access to education, something that is never simple and sometimes completely impractical for the people we encountered in Nicaragua.”

Hebert said the trip far exceeded the missionaries’ expectations. “We started with the idea that we would try our best to help the people we encountered,” she said. “Very quickly we discovered that this would not be the case. Instead, we spent our time interacting and sharing with amazing people who left a lasting impact on us. It was so inspirational for us to meet extraordinarily talented and selfless people who are shining in their communities despite the extreme poverty and hard conditions they were born into.”

Carleigh Lanclos said her world view was forever altered by her 10 days in Nicaragua. Meeting the people and being immersed in their culture taught her lessons she won’t soon forget, she said. “We saw some of the most extreme forms of poverty in all of Latin America, but through that, we also found hope,” she said. “The people we met through Cantera have built their lives from absolutely nothing and persevered through circumstances I can’t even fathom. They told us about their lives, hopes, dreams, desire for opportunities, equality and justice in their country. In returning from Nicaragua, I find myself questioning what do I do now that I’ve seen and experienced this? Where do I go from here?

“A good friend told me, Si quieres la paz, trabaja por la justicia, meaning ‘If you want peace, work for justice,’ and that is a motto I plan on living by for the rest of my life,” Lanclos added. “I encourage all of my fellow ’Stickers to step up and take advantage of the resources they have to educate themselves on the injustices, not only in Latin America, but all over the world. To whom much is given, much is expected. With that said, I think it’s our responsibility to take full advantage of the opportunities we have and make a difference.”

Rachael Buzbee said every aspect of the trip was life changing. “It is hard to elaborate on and put into words exactly what we saw, as it can’t be fully comprehended unless seen firsthand,” she said. “While we did fun things like visit an active volcano, play with preschoolers and discuss the way of life with the people our age, we also did more serious things like visit the city dump, participate in a nature walk with the youth of Managua and help clean up a newly built church in one of the rural areas. The things I saw and the many people I met I will never forget, and I feel that anyone and everyone should experience what we did while in Nicaragua.”

Hayley Fritchie said that while it’s difficult to put the experience into words, she knows her life will never be the same. “We really tried to immerse ourselves in the culture and benefited so much from all the things we saw and people we met,” she said. “I would go back in a heartbeat if I could. It was really cool spending time with kids our age and seeing the way of life in both urban and rural Nicaragua. The people there were so kind and welcoming and always made us feel loved and appreciated. The trip was the absolute best experience of my life and something I will never forget.”

Elisabeth Laughlin said the conditions under which the Nicaraguan people live are mind boggling. “Imagine having to wake up not knowing if you will have a job, if water will be running or if you can make the 12-mile trek to school just to get a mediocre education,” she said. “The Nicaraguan culture is an astounding one; everyone faces hopeless challenges, but their spirit is one of love and compassion. The life in Nicaragua is simpler, and I saw raw love. We met teachers who make next to nothing just to teach young children about the arts and the importance of relationships.

“We are borders apart, but our hearts are the same,” Laughlin added. “This experience has hopefully spurred my desire to help in any way that I can. Sr. Dianne gives every day of her life to the Nicaraguan people: There is not a child she ignores or a challenge too big, despite the fact that Cantera may not have the funds to survive next year. Now that’s pure love.”

Morgan Broussard said she was able to break down the barriers and really experience the life and culture of Nicaragua. “I loved the entire trip, but I would have to say that my favorite two parts were experiencing the rural life and really engaging with the people our age there,” she said. “I also enjoyed learning the cultural dances. Although we spent a lot of time with the youth of the city, I also enjoyed how we traveled around and saw the sights of Managua, including a volcano.”

Taylor Mockler said that while it sounds cliche, “this trip was the most challenging yet most enriching experience of my life. Never in such a short span have I had the best and worst times of my life. In Nicaragua, we learned about the social injustices that suffocate the country, keeping it in constant poverty. To fix these issues does not take a two-week period; rather, it takes a lifetime and more to create permanent change. This is the foundation we began in Nicaragua. This is the foundation I will continue to build on for the rest of my life."

McRoberts had high praise for each missionary, commending them for embracing each moment with open hearts and minds. “Their willingness to do this helped them to make friends, overlooking the language barrier that many feared would prevent us from connecting with the Nicaraguan people,” she said. “I know they will continue those relationships for years to come, and some of our young alumnae may even return to Nicaragua. I speak for all of us when I say that I am inspired by the stories of those we met, who have risen above every obstacle imaginable to find something they love and serve as signs of hope in a world that is so much in need of solidarity. I hope that this experience continues to be a staple of our summer immersion program as we work to expand opportunities for service and transformation in the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph.”


Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director