We pulled up to Batey50 as outsiders unsure of what we were about to dive into. 40 Students on a bus vs 40 underprivileged children and their families. We were the outsiders, never having been to a Batey, never having seen such poverty, never knowing that a place like this existed. So many Batey’s, so much land, so much sun, so much sugar cane. Not enough food, not enough shelter, not enough water.
With each passing day friendships were formed and a language barrier was almost invisible. Joy, happiness and appreciation was felt and it didn’t need to be discussed. We were no longer outsiders, we were friends of these people who made of this once unknown land. We were no longer two separate classes with one common goal. We were now one community (people of Batey50 included) with one common goal.
“From the outside looking in you can’t understand it. From the inside looking out you can’t explain it.” The experience I had in Batey50 changed my life. Jealousy was nonexistent. Everyone was out for the greater good of Batey50 as a whole. Sure families were protective but so are ours. The genuine happiness that people with so little can have is absolutely astonishing and as I sit here remembering it I get chills.
BE THE GOOD
-Lex Panz
QU301 DR Fall 2014 