View photos from Northern Ireland

On Saturday, March 26th, 11 students plus Mitchell left for Belfast, Northern Ireland. We arrived at the WAVE Trauma Centre, a centre for the injured and bereaved of the "troubles", on Sunday, and settled in for a productive, busy, and life-changing week. We did a lot of work on the grounds, cleaning out leaves and vines, packing the "skip" (dumpster), building a new composter, and planting seeds. We also spent lots of time "paynting" the "gayte" and cleaning out the "store" (closet) and the "gare-age" (shed). Inside the centre, we were able to interact with employees, the men's recovery group, the children's therapy group, and many others who were in and out, using all that the centre has to offer. We were able to meet and talk with people our own age who were affected by the troubles, and hear the stories of many who lived through the worst of it. In our spare time, we cooked, climbed a mountain, made new friends out on the town, and spent time at Giant's Causeway and a beautiful historic rope bridge. The week culminated with a free day in Belfast, where we spent ample time in the City Centre and St. George's Market. Everyone came home with a new perspective on Belfast, conflict, and life as a whole. We did about 35 hours of service per person, but we learned so much more than that.

View photos from Northern Ireland