This past March, 75 students, alumni, and faculty members at Kingswood Oxford went to Tobati, Paraguay, as a part of the annual service trip, myself included. However, this number is low considering the total number of students in the Upper School. More people should be going on this trip, not just for the service hours, but to help the Tobati community.
As a freshman, I was nervous about traveling without my parents to a country in which I hardly understood the language. However, the experience is truly life-changing.
Immersing yourself in a culture that has pride and loyalty is something you will not get on a spring break trip to places like the Bahamas or Florida. Helping at Team Tobati includes manual labor, but the memories you make will last you a lifetime.
The spring break trip for Team Tobati has been around since 1999, but the goal of the trip has remained the same: “Team Tobati seeks to help the poor and introduce young people to meaningful community service.” The connection built between KO and Macchi School students is made through work both inside the Macchi School and outside of it in the greater Tobati community.
Service learning is one of the multiple reasons why more people should be involved. The community service is amazing. During my time, I was able to bond with so many students from the Macchi School and their families.
Every single member of the Tobati was so excited to show us their houses, their favorite food, and their dances. Sophomore Gianna Guerrera went for her second time this year and has seen the joy it brings to the kids and families in Paraguay. She also saw how KO students immerse themselves in Paraguayan culture through dances and working at brick factories. “I think it really just helped me see that there are so many different parts of the world,” Gianna said.
Senior Alex Doering has also mentioned that this trip is eye-opening. “These kids have close to nothing,” Alex said, “yet they are grateful for everything, and it really just opens your eyes to a whole different part of the world that you don’t experience every day.”
The bonds that are built between Paraguayan students and KO students are unbreakable. Alex has gone all four years of her high school experience, and she reminisced on her connections in Paraguay. “You become best friends with them,” Alex said, “and you’re so sad to leave after just a week. I think that the ending ceremony, where everyone cries and hugs, is so impactful. It truly shows how much you can connect with someone in a week.”
The language barrier was something that frightened me at first, but the impressive English skills of the Paraguayan students and my shocking Spanish skills (and occasionally some Google Translate) really helped create a lasting bond. I believe that most, if not all of the students who went on the trip still connect with their Paraguayan work group members weekly.
Another quite evident thing is that people who go do not regret it. In addition to Alex, fellow senior Ava Bonsignore has gone all four years. Seniors Lola Peck, Ciaran Concepcion, and Olivia Doran have gone three times. These are just five seniors who have returned, but the list of returners goes on and on. Also, every single sophomore who went their freshman year has returned for a second year.
Gianna, in her second year going, said that she would not have done her spring break any differently. Alex certainly would not have, as she has chosen, time and time again, to go back. This just goes to show how awesome, safe, and impactful this trip can be.
This trip and these bonds are like no other, and I am shocked that more people are not going; however, I know there is one barrier that prevents many from going: money. The trip is expensive and poses an issue to families, and there is no doubt about that. Spanish teacher and Founder of Team Tobatí Ronald Garcia mentioned that there had been talk about the possibility of making this trip a requirement for students, but the one issue is the cost.
Alex talked about the possibility of creating scholarships and fundraising for these scholarships, and I think this is a great idea. This trip is all about caring beyond self and providing for others, so a scholarship that is fundraised by students or provided by KO for students who want to help out fits the theme perfectly.
Some students simply do not go, not because of financial reasons, but because they don’t like the outdoors. Believe me, I was in this same situation. I was scared of the bugs, the heat, and so many other possibilities, but none of these fears and bad things ever stuck out and ruined my experience. Alex had similar worries four years ago on her first trip. “I wasn’t the type of kid that loves going on hikes and being outdoors,” Alex said.
The opportunity is right in front of so many, but students are not taking it. “I think that people should definitely go at least once,” Gianna said. “It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Overall, Team Tobatí is such a wonderful opportunity, and not enough people are taking advantage of it. The impact the trip has on you through the cultural immersion, friendly bonds, and eye-opening service learning is unforgettable.
Team Tobati website
