By Hector Flores
Youth Leader Lenore Taormina, an East Meadow resident, said that the 10-day trip is being made in conjunction with Bridges to Community, an organization that builds homes for poor families. Once there, the group will build two concrete houses for two needy families.
"I found this group through a member of the youth group who has participated in the program before," Taormina said.
Sarah Martinez, 16, an East Meadow resident, said she told Taormina about the program so the church could participate in it. "This is my second year going," she said. "Last year I went with my mother and worked in a community called Palesina, which was just minutes from the capital of Nicaragua."
Martinez explained that volunteers build the concrete homes out of cinder blocks and work hand in hand with the people who will live in them. "The homes have four walls and a sweepable floor," she said. "The homes create a better living condition for the families. This year we will be going to the town of La Colina, a five-minute drive from Palesina."
Martinez first became involved with the program with the help of her cousin Ana Argudo, a group leader who has been working with Bridges to Community for the last three years. "Bridges was founded after Hurricane Mitchell to rebuild the homes that were destroyed," Martinez said. "Because of the many natural disasters [volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and earthquakes], living conditions are very poor, and Nicaragua has always been behind because of the political upheaval."
Despite Nicaragua's shortcomings, Martinez said that the program allows volunteers to learn about native culture by living with the locals. "You become part of the culture," she said. "Last year we stayed on a cooperative. This year we¹re going to stay in a town with a main square, church and school."
Taormina and Martinez will be accompanied by Leah Menna, 21, of Merrick; Aaron Franqui, 16, of Uniondale; and Alyson Bonura, 14, of New Hyde Park. "I'm excited to go,² said Menna. ³I¹ve been to Mexico before on a mission trip with the church, but I didn't get a chance to be a part of the culture. When we go to Nicaragua we will live with the people."
Bonura said that this will be her first time out of the country and her first mission trip with the church. "I'm very excited and nervous," she said. "I'm looking forward to making people happy and to be grateful for what I have."
Franqui, who has been a member of the youth group for the last six years, said, "I'm excited to be going. This is my first time on a plane and going anywhere. I'm looking forward to a spiritual blessing and looking to help others. My parents think this is a great opportunity. I'm getting a chance to do something they haven't done or will ever get to do."
Each year, Taormina tries to bring new programs and different projects to the church so that members of the youth group can face new obstacles and challenges. "The ultimate goal is to teach the members of our youth group good moral values that will enhance their character," she said.
