It has now been almost a month since I returned from my trip to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and it feels like it was just yesterday. Our group was only there for a week but everyday was special in its own way as we explored almost every cultural area of the island. Going to the island I believed I would be impacting the people there, but in the end it felt like they impacted me.
Having just been in Barbados for three days prior to arriving in Saint Vincent, it was easy to see the similarities in the cultures. Vans were still used as a main mode of transportation, street vendors were out constantly, and the people had a communal happiness about them. Our daily schedules varied but they were mainly composed of trips into the lively town, meeting people in various fields, speaking, and visiting gorgeous parts of the island. Most evenings, friends of the Taiwos would come over and cook for us; it was a communal feeling I'll never forget.
The work we did varied a lot throughout the week. While in Saint Vincent I felt honored to be an American ambassador of sorts while meeting with different people. From the Permanent Secretary to social workers, it was fascinating being able to get a glimpse of the political issues that threaten the island. At the same time, it was a humbling experience to see the hard work that these people are doing to better each other's lives.
Amidst the meetings and island trips, Sierra and I got to play soccer once or twice with the other children. Back in America, I played recreational soccer when I was in middle school but my skill was not nearly comparable to that of the young children playing there.
I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have gone on this trip. I was able to get a first-hand look at the diverse issues that occur abroad and I'm the better for it. Having seen how privileged I am in America, I'm more wary about the mediocre things I complain about.
Justice Skinner