Hard Work and Earnest Reflection

This afternoon involved a lot of hard work and some great reflection from the students. After lunch we split into three groups.

The first group went to Tent city. This is an area along the Cooper River about 1 or so from downtown Camden between the river and the highway. Since last year's trip, tent city has grown. We met a woman from Richmond that found her way here after running into some trouble. A young man, Alex gave us a tour of the area and showed us the river. He was very friendly, but very open about his experiences on the streets and trying to fight for his meal. Overall, it was an eye opening and as Mitch put it mind boggling experience.

The second group helped paint the DSW house that we are staying in. When the Oblates of Francis de Sales took over this house three years ago it was used as the rectory and parish offices for the Jesuits and Holy Name. Now since larger groups are coming into the house and it is a pair of old row homes connected together they have attempted to make some improvements. Our painters were eager to volunteer and painted the dinner room today. Their plans are to do a bathroom and hallway tomorrow and Collin will put a mural on one of the walls.

The third group worked in the back alley. Part of the group went with Mr. D to repair and put up fencing and the rest of the group worked on the brick project from this morning. Each group made  a lot of progress and we hope to finish both of these projects tomorrow as well.

Before dinner, Fr. McCue said mass for us at the DSW house since tomorrow the mass is bi-lingual. He has such a down-to-earth personality that the kids really gravitate toward. He spoke of Francis de Sales and the little virtues that can be so important in day to day life. He said that patience, gentleness, and respect can go a long way toward recognizing Christ. He also challenged them not to waste their here and bring something back with them to Williamsburg to make it a better place. Whether it is using the little virtues to improve daily interaction with people, or volunteering at a soup kitchen, he said we are called to do something.

 For dinner we split into family groups of 5 people. Fr. McCue gave each person $2 and he took us to local bodegas (corner stores). Each family had to pool their money ($10) and shop and cook dinner using only what was acquired for that $10. Meals ranged from burritos with rice and beans to hot dogs and Ramen noodles. Overall, the kids were very resourceful and did not go hungry like they first thought they would.

After dinner we watch a 20/20 special on Camden. Specifically in the special it paralleled three students at different ages in school for a year and how the poverty and home struggles created by their environment in Camden affected their education and their lives. It was very emotional for our kids to hear a teenager their own age talk about all he wanted to do was be the first from his family to graduate high school and work to get his family out.

We end each day with some journalism time and then each student tells of something that struck them during the day. We should all be proud of these student since their reflections are deep and meaningful. Not one person repeated what someone said or took the easy way out of speaking and more importantly, at least from  a theology teachers perspective, they asked some of the more bigger questions that often make us feel uncomfortable and were ok with talking about them knowing that we cannot have sufficient answers at least at the moment. These are truly remarkable young people who are working very hard and making all of us very proud.

Off to sleep.