Bedfordtimesregister.com - Bedford graduate enjoys helping others in Jamaica

by Emily Canning-Dean

Reporter

Bedford -- When Americans think of Jamaica, they often picture sandy white beaches and lots of fun in the sun. But this past January, Bedford's Christine Orchard saw a very different side of the country.

"Once you leave areas like Kingston or Montego Bay, it is like you are in a completely different place," said the 2006 Bedford High School graduate.

Orchard, an international studies major at Washington University in St. Louis, spent a week on the island volunteering in two orphanages. She said she learned about the opportunity through Washington University, but funded the trip herself.<FEFF> "This is the first year Washington University participated in the program," Orchard said. "The main purpose of the trip is to build relationships. We played games with the kids and did crafts. We are also continuing to write letters to them. The point is to make them realize that people do care about them."

Orchard said she was one of nine Washington students to go on the trip, which took inland near Montego Bay. She said they stayed in a mission house that had bunk beds, bathrooms, a dining room and a kitchen.

"We had running water and electricity most of the time, but the last night we were there there was an island-wide power outtage," she said. "It felt a lot like summer camp in that house."<FEFF> Orchard said there are a high number of orphans in Jamaica and their chances of being adopted are slim. She said they often don't form the relationships that other children do.

"If anything, their family ends up being the other children at the orphanage," she said.

Orchard said she plans to participate in the program again next January as a team leader.

"It's important that we keep the program going and keep up a relationship with these kids," Orchard said.

"Going just once doesn't really do a lot of good," she said. "Maybe the volunteers will be different each year, but the kids will come to expect that Washington University people are coming each year."

Orchard is not new to international travt the age of 14 she went to Europe with a 4-H program, and she traveled to Japan with a group called People to People at age 16. Last summer she studied in France.

This summer, Orchard said she will spend seven weeks in Senegal, Africa, working at a library and teaching children English.

Orchard said she would like to focus on a career involving traveling and helping countries with failing economies.

"I am interested in studying economics and helping communities in that way because, in an area where there are no jobs, other issues come up," she said.

Orchard's mother, Kathy, said she is extremely proud of her daughter's humanitarian efforts.

"Sometimes she feels like it's bragging if she tells her story, but it is so unique," Kathy said. "We are so proud of her."

E-mail: ecanning@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3166