Mid-Winter Break Service Trips a Success Once Again

By: Gabrielle Puig '17

Palmer Trinity School has made sure that global education is a considerable part of the curriculum of students to gain new knowledge of languages, cultures, and skills. Palmer Trinity believes that through experiential learning, students will gain a better sense of themselves and widen their values for the things they have; therefore, this past “Mid-Winter Break”, students participated in two service trips to Haiti and Nicaragua and an adventure-based trip to Patagonia.

Twelve Palmer Trinity Students embarked on a service trip to the outskirts of Managua, Nicaragua. There they spent their time building a house for a family that the people there believed needed it the most. The remainder of the trip consisted of visiting two different orphanages and taking time to connect with those children by taking part in activities such as playing soccer and taking them to eat ice cream. “This trip really helped me reflect on my future, which is something I am so uncertain about,” said Paula Gutierrez ‘17, trip participant. “It made me realize that I really want to work in something that helps others and gives back because that is where I find my source of happiness.”

Another service trip to Haiti was taken for four days to the cities of Hinche and Lamacette. Eight Palmer Trinity students made the trip and brought the schools donations that were much needed due to their remote location. Not only did they bring them material resources, students also took time to connect with the children by playing games and interacting with them. Alexa Tannebaum ‘17, a participant in this service trip stated, “This was the most rewarding experience of my life. I had never before been in a situation with so much caring and love.”

The last trip that took place was to Patagonia, Argentina, for the students affiliated with the Academy of Agents of Change. Leopoldo Llinas, Director of Environmental Stewardship, revealed that the trip’s purpose for the students was to determine whether their initiatives and business plans would be sustainable so that they could continue working on it. Henry Fernandez, a student in the Academy for the Agents of Change said, “The most memorable moments were summiting the Bailey Willis Mountain and learning the key components to any financial plan.”