WF students give back to Chimbote
September 2, 2013
Woven roofs collapsed as a result of a heavy rain storm that swept through the town of Chimbote, Peru, destroying the only homes that could be afforded by the people who were living there. Seeing the wreckage pile in front of them, West Fargo seniors Ally Schweitzer and Cole Bachmeier were determined to take advantage of the time given on the mission trip to help as many of the Chimbote people as possible by rebuilding their homes.
“So much we take for granted,” Bachmeier said. “The roof we put up for her [owner of the house] was a life-changer because now she didn’t need to worry about it getting damaged. She started crying a little bit.”
Schweitzer and Bachmeier, along with 2 other members of Blessed Sacrament church in West Fargo, joined a group of students from St. James basilica church in Jamestown, N.D.. In total, a group of 24 students traveled to serve Chimbote, Peru.
“Chimbote is a small town, Bachmeier said. “Most of our work we did was on the outskirts of town. We normally walked there and did a variety of things.”
A day on the trip consisted of breakfast, an early prayer service, and then work for the rest of the day.
“One day we visited soup kitchens, day-cares, and schools,” Schweitzer said. “The other days we built a house and delivered beds and stoves.”
For both Schweitzer and Bachmeier, the experience was worth taking advantage of.
After an eight-day mission in Peru, the group started for home. An eight-hour bus ride from Chimbote to the airport became even longer when the group found out their flight was delayed and had to stay over-night in the airport. However, staying overnight in the airport was nothing compared to what the group had seen and experienced in Peru.
“Hearing Katie say that we shouldn’t let the flight delay ruin the experience because we are homeless for only one night, and in Peru they are homeless for many,” Bachmeier said, “didn’t make it feel so bad anymore.”
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