Volunteer Viewpoint: John McLaughlin
Written by John McLaughlin
John and Kercy work together during evening study hours
Shortly after completion of my undergraduate studies at Loras College, like several THP volunteers from Loras before me, I decided to spend a year in Haiti at Louverture Cleary. Inspired, strengthened, and educated by the teachings of the Church to be a faith filled person of action, I felt that my services would be of use at LCS. Upon arrival, it was a struggle to come to grips with the reality of the situation in Haiti. However, slowly I am able to better understand what the social teachings of the Church really mean and how they can be put into practice in situations such as the current one in Haiti.
When I first arrived I didn’t understand the gravity of the situation. My feelings were that I had all the answers and would be able to perfectly apply them in the classroom and would see immediate results. This has obviously not been the case. However, I do feel strongly that Christ’s message of compassion can lead to a peace filled with justice. I try to emphasize this in my religion classes.
One of the school’s mantras comes from Matthew 10:8; it reads, “What you have been given as gift, give as a gift.” One of the school’s mantras comes from Matthew 10:8; it reads, “What you have been given as gift, give as a gift.” Consumerism and materialism are strong influences in our world today—Haiti is no exception. It is important that we understand that, although money is not evil in itself, it can become a distraction if it shifts from a means to an end. I have found it important to remind my students, who are being given an education that will provide them with a lot of earning potential, of this from to time to time to be sure they keep focused on employing their skills for advancing Haiti—not just themselves. We have covered this subject numerous times and will continue to do this whenever the opportunity arises.
One of the duties I have at LCS that developed from teaching social doctrine is helping with the rooftop garden. Most of the garden consists of cherry tomatoes but it is hopefully fulfilling its role in educating the students. Besides the immediate joy of fresh vegetables, the garden provides an example of making use of cramped urban space, often the only type of space available in Haiti, and utilizing on hand materials to work cooperatively with nature as way to feed people. Currently the tomato plants are bursting with fresh red produce and tower over the students with some of the plants measuring over 5 feet tall.
While my original sentiments were that my ability to teach ideas of simplicity and care for neighbors would immediately result in the betterment of the lives of the Haitians at the school, I now understand what it means to attempt to live justice. I have no reservations about however small a role it is I have, but am comforted that I am playing a small role in an important organization that is committed to showing that the Kingdom Jesus spoke of is indeed in our midst.
