Norwalk High Students Trek to Malawi

Three Norwalk High School students, along with other local high school students, are going to spend their February vacations abroad in the African country of Malawi. But make no mistake about it, their trip won't be all fun and games. There won't be any luxury resorts, expensive restaurants or days spent tanning on a remote tropical beach.

Gone will be the comforts of home and the familiar hallways and classrooms of the students' local high schools. They will be participating in Building with Books' Trek for Knowledge, a program that helps build schools in rural villages, where resources can be hard to come by for locals and poverty is a fact of life. Ten to 15 students will travel on each of the three two-week Treks, working and living on location in the country to which they journey.

Truth be told, few would consider traveling to one of the poorest regions in the world for an extended stay. But it's difficult to argue that there exists a more worthy cause out there. And for all the students involved, it's the opportunity of a lifetime.

For Emma Crisci and Nicole Press, both juniors at Norwalk High School, their Trek to Malawi will be a time for hard work, reflection and education. And they are excited to embark on their two-week journey to a distant country. "

Besides being a part of the village, I'm excited to be part of a dynamic team. The students all get along really well. Talking with the seniors who have gone on past Treks - they all seem to share a different perspective after they come back," said Crisci. Students from Bridgeport, Darien, Greenwich and Norwalk, among other local towns, will spend two full weeks abroad either in Malawi or Mali, both African nations. Another Trek will take place to Nicaragua. All students involved are members of their school's BwB program, which emphasizes community service, global education and fundraising to build schools in developing countries. Students will be lead by BwB staff members and teachers, and all expenses for the Treks are paid for by donations to the program. Students will work shifts during the day building the school but will also have opportunities to absorb local customs. "A typical day is broken up into two main work shifts," said Crisci. "But we'll also have free time and a chance to learn about culture and how the people of Malawi live." Crisci and classmate Press describe the diverse opportunities presented by BwB as one of the program's most attractive qualities. The Norwalk High juniors also explained that students involved raise money for the BwB program as well as community-based organizations. "The two major components are fundraising and community service," explained Press, adding that, "It's one thing to give money to a cause but it's another thing to see where it goes." And perhaps this is the most rewarding component of the Treks for Knowledge- students working hands-on, each and every one making a difference. While the southeastern African country of Malawi is constantly struggling with famine, poor access to medical treatment, disease, corruption and inadequate education, Press and Crisci, who will also be joined by Norwalk High student Noah Cooper, are up to dealing with those challenges. As for assimilating into the local culture? "It'll be interesting," said Press simply. The Building with Books Trek to Malawi departs Wednesday and returns Feb. 22. For information, contact Melissa Sanseverino at 585-5391.