Mission Utica
Reaching
Out To A Colombian School Destroyed by a 2011 Flood
By:
Yasmin Uddin. A graduate of University School, Davie, Florida
Caring
for others is a moral principle I hold very close to my heart, especially when
it comes to children in need. In April
of 2011 a major flood occurred in the town of Utica, Colombia, destroying its
local school and leaving hundreds homeless.
My mother heard about this devastation from family that still lives
there. When she told me that the
children of Utica were left with no school, I decided I wanted to go there to
see the damage and how I could help.
Last
year I visited Utica and witnessed the destruction with my own eyes. The school was uninhabitable. The government set up a temporary school for
children on more elevated ground, where the old train station used to be. However, the school was left with no
computers, no textbooks, and no supplies.
That’s when I decided to initiate “Mission Utica”. I collected the information that I had
gathered from my trip and started writing letters asking for help from
different agencies, friends, and family.
I
made a presentation to an organization named Friends of Humanity International
Inc.. FHII is a non-profit organization that helps the homeless and people who
have been through natural disasters. They
helped the people in Pakistan after a huge earthquake which destroyed many
homes. They also helped Haitian
residents after the earthquake. Recently
they sent supplies to schools in Trinidad that were in need. FHII donated $7,500 to Mission Utica. With this money and the money that I was able
to collect from other donors, I was able to buy 1000 pounds worth of school
supplies such as pencils, journals, folders, etc… I was also able to buy math
and science textbooks for grades 6 through 9.
With these supplies I planned a trip to revisit Utica.
I
arrived in Bogota, Colombia’s capital, last August. Shortly after we loaded a
van with all the supplies and off I went to Utica. Utica is approximately three hours from
Bogota and you can only get there by road.
I stayed in Utica for one week while I delivered the supplies as well as
taught English to the students. When I
arrived in Utica, the local firemen helped me transport the supplies to the
school’s gymnasium, where I presented my donation in front of the school’s
students, parents, teachers, principal, and the town’s mayor. The presentation went great. I was greeted with open arms. A table
showcasing what I had brought was set up so everyone could see. These kids couldn’t wait to get the supplies!
I also raffled Mission Utica t-shirts to the children so they could wear them
to remember this grand occasion.
Throughout
the week I visited every class and taught English. I started with 1st grade and
worked my way up to 11th grade. I wanted to make the class enjoyable
for the kids, so I made up games to play that would be educational as well as
help them learn a few phrases in English.
The last day I was at the school, I distributed the kits I made for the
children. My favorite moment happened when I was in the 2nd grade
class about to leave, and a little girl gave me a thank you hug, then a little
boy came, and the next thing I knew the whole class came to give me a group
hug. It was definitely a moment I will
never forget!
Seeing
how happy the children, teachers, and the administration were, made me both
feel great and want to continue helping the school. I am planning to revisit the school in
December with the hopes of gathering more donations to buy more textbooks and
supplies. I thank Friends of Humanity
international Inc. who made my trip possible, and urge other organizations and
individuals to get involved. If you
would like to donate or know of any organization that helps those in need,
please contact me at yasminuddin@gmail.com
or send a check made out to FHII, RE Mission Utica at 833 shotgun Road Sunrise,
FL 33326.
Pictured: Yamin’s favorite
moment of her trip, when the 2nd grade class gave her a surprised
group hug!.
