Broadening the Scope: Volunteers step out of the PV bubble

In America, about 50 percent are placed in the middle class, according to the Consumer News and Business Channel. The average income for an American household ranges from $35,000 to $75,000. A survey done by  City Data reports that Rancho Palos Verdes residents have an estimated median income of $115,958 per household. This number compared to the average amount brought in a family in a third world country is nearly multiplied by 50. Because these numbers are not often discussed, many people are not aware of how privileged they are.

Having recently visited Nicaragua on a mission trip, senior Jamie Park and sophomore Jasmine Park had the opportunity to see what life is like in a third world country. Nicaragua was named the second poorest country in Latin America after Haiti with the average citizen making an average annual income of $1,650.

“There are different regions in Nicaragua with [various levels of] poverty, [and Nicaragua] is nothing compared to [the United States],” Jasmine said. “It really opened my eyes to see how privileged we are at times.”

Despite the living conditions Nicaraguans face, they are still able to appreciate what they have and celebrate and appreciate their cultures. The Nicaraguans would give them fruits and trinkets to remember them by.

“Actually being in the other person’s shoes is incredibly important,” Jamie said. “If people were to travel and live for just a month or two with people in underprivileged countries, much change could come to the world.”

The poverty-stricken natives live in houses constructed by dirt and walk to get to places since most of them cannot afford to buy a car. The children keep one pair of school clothes and wash them to keep it clean for everyday usage. Teenagers will likely not receive an education past high school.

“The most important step in helping other countries improve [financially and educationally] is to raise awareness and to show love to not only the people from other countries but to people around you so that they would want to show love to others,” Jasmine said.

Similar to the Park sisters, senior Leonard Qian traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal in the summer of 2015 to volunteer in aiding for earthquake relief in the area. According to Cable News Network (CNN), an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 in Nepal in April had taken over 4,800 lives with more than
9,200 injured, affecting the eight million people across Nepal and leaving the country in ruins.

“The earthquake had displaced many Nepalese families and I went there to volunteer and donate money to orphanages that were in need of help,” Qian said. “I also helped build schools out of mud, mortar and bricks to replace the destroyed classrooms and paint them, giving them a colorful vibe.”

The opportunities that he has taken advantage of not only changed lives in Nepal, but altered his views of life. Qian says that experiencing the tragedies that the earthquake brought firsthand has made him appreciate his life more.

“Now when I am faced with troubles, I remember that there are others struggling to survive,” Qian said. “To worry about my small problems is a luxury to have and when I remember what truly goes on in the world, I realize how silly I am to worry about such minute problems.”

Being involved with many volunteer organizations, Qian had always been eager to help others and hopes to go on more overseas trips to gain more experience in different countries. He emphasizes the fact that anyone can help play a role in improving a person’s life.

“There is always something that you can do to help others,” Qian said. “I think that if students at Peninsula had been to Nepal, they would really start to appreciate all the little things, especially up here in Palos Verdes.”

By visiting third world countries, the Park sisters and Qian have become more aware of the problems that this world faces.

“I just love how it not only gave me the perspective of what I have to be thankful for, but also how being generous and being yourself goes a long way,” Jasmine said. “It helped me to believe in others and to never give up on anything or anyone.”