A World Apartby
Rebecca H, Stoney Creek, Canada, Age 17
I ask one simple
question: How can we all live in the same world, on the same earth,
yet live such different lives? In Canada we have everything we need
to survive, but in countries like the Dominican Republic and Haiti,
people are robbed of the basic necessities of life. They live lacking
shelter, food, clean water, clothing, access to healthcare and education
and so much more.
It was on a trip called Hero Holiday that I realized Canada is one
of the greatest countries to live in, and I think we, as Canadians,
often take our country for granted.
Being Canadian and visiting the Dominican Republic, I’ve seen
two different worlds. I’ve seen huge mansions, but I’ve
also seen shacks that were falling apart. I’ve seen families
who live like royalty, but I’ve also seen families who struggle
each day just to survive. I’ve seen children who have everything
they could possibly ask for, but I’ve also seen children who
ask for nothing, and that is all they will ever receive.
We live a world apart. Although I used to take shelter, food, clean
water, clothing, healthcare, education, all the so called “little
things” for granted before Hero Holiday, the trip opened my
eyes to how the other side of the world lives. Considering the living
conditions they live in, I believe the true heroes in the world
are living in the Dominican Republic.
I met two of these heroes while working on a housing project for
Hero Holiday. Kennedy and Jeremy were two of the most amazing teenagers
I had ever met. These two boys lived a harsh life; with very little,
but they still manage to have a positive attitude. After seeing
crumbling houses, starving families and people living without clean
water, healthcare and education, I cannot imagine the issues Kennedy
and Jeremy have had to deal with just to stay alive. They fight
each day to survive, like everyone else in the Dominican, but through
all their struggles, they continue to smile. This is why no matter
what may be wrong in my life, I am always to smile. Kennedy and
Jeremy without any question changed me. I no longer complain about
the “little things”. As long as I have a house to live
in, food to eat, and access to healthcare and an education, I am
happy. I don’t need anything else.
I think if every Canadian teenager had the opportunity to experience
a trip like Hero Holiday, they would all be as deeply impacted as
I have and perhaps realize how truly heroic people living in third
world countries are. To see what I’ve seen and not be changed
would be impossible.
It’s heartbreaking to know that people in the Dominican live
in shacks made out of tin and cardboard. It’s heartbreaking
to see these people struggling to survive on a daily basis. It’s
heartbreaking to see a Haitian child in a dump in the Dominican
eating the dirt off the ground because that’s all there is
to eat. It’s heartbreaking to look in a child’s eyes
at an orphanage and be able to feel all their pain and suffering.
It’s heartbreaking having to wake up, open your eyes, and
suddenly face the reality that not everyone lives like us. For me,
this reality was especially hard to face. I took all the “little
things” for granted before Hero Holiday, but now I know to
cherish every “little thing” I have. I believe this
is a lesson all Canadian teenagers need to learn.
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