Skip to content

On a mission in Africa

Five years ago, Paige Baril wrote her bucket list. On that list were things like going to Africa to feed the children, and going on an African Safari.
160412_paigebaril_13
Paige Baril travelled to Africa to build a library as part of a Free the Children – Me to We project. She said the trip allowed her to check two items from her bucket list — helping African children and going on a safari. Supplied photo.

Five years ago, Paige Baril wrote her bucket list.

On that list were things like going to Africa to feed the children, and going on an African Safari.

The 17-year-old recently had the chance to do both, when she travelled to Kenya on a Free the Children - Me to We Project.

Shortly after she returned, Baril said she was still processing the experience.


“It still doesn't feel like I went,” she said.

With the help of 15 other teenagers — many of whom were also from Sudbury — Baril constructed a library.

“We had to do everything by hand,” she said. Some of the tasks were quite trying, too — like moving massive chunks of rock to mixing cement through the use of humanpower.

“At first, we weren't that good,” Baril said with a laugh. By the end of the two-week trip though, she and the others were becoming quite competent builders.


“They actually started calling me a 'fundi,'” Baril said, proud to be recognized by the Swahili word for “builder.”

Aside from learning the art of brick — or stone — laying, Baril and the others had the chance to experience a culture worlds away from their own.

Her first experience with African children was “what you see on TV.”

“All the children run out of their houses,” she said, eager to see the Canadian teens. “It was so surreal.”

The attitude the youngsters had toward their education was also inspiring. Baril said students in Kenya would actually try to get to school before their teachers, despite having to travel hours to get there.

“They get excited every day to go to school,” she said. While Baril enjoys learning, she said their passion for it was unsurpassed.

While on the mission trip, Baril and the others had the chance to actually see some African countryside, too. Much to her surprise, Baril said cities like Nairobi looked like major metropolitan places in North America. However, as they moved further from the city, the landscape became more like what Baril had envisioned — huts for homes, no electricity and certainly no warm water.

Baril joked that she smelled like an elephant when she returned home.

“I only showered four times in two weeks,” she said with a laugh.

All of it contributed to an experience she won't soon forget, though.

Baril said she would be interested in returning to Kenya at some point to help fellow Valley teen Jacqueline Villeneuve at Zawadi la Tumaini, the orphanage she is in the midst of creating.

Posted by Arron Pickard


Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.