2008 Woodie Awards
Nicolo educates Gambians about deadly diseases during summer stay
Brittany Such
Issue date: 9/29/06 Section: Features
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Many people could only imagine what it would be like to live without a variety of materialism, air conditioning, the mall, the movies, and fast food/fine dining restaurants. The majority of the people in the world today, especially Americans, do not think twice about the luxuries we take for granted. Many are so caught up in daily routine, and hustle and bustle they never stop to gaze at deer or follow the sunset. There are many beauties that are easily ignored and a lot of manufactured goods taking the place of nature's simplicities and God's gracious beauties.
This is far from the case when it comes to senior sociology and criminal justice major Phil Nicolo.
Nicolo was a part of the Catholic Relief Services volunteers work over the summer, and had the opportunity to travel to Gambia in West Africa. The trip was intended for him to travel to various schools in Gambia and help educate the Gambian children about diseases such as, malaria, HIV, and AIDS. The experience was a total of 10 weeks and held much more than anyone could bargain for.
"I was excepted into the organization with open arms. I could have easily been treated as an outsider but instead, they included me as an active part in their project," Nicolo said.
He explained how CRS did an excellent job incorporating him into programs and the trip let him experience many other aspects of life.
Nicolo lived with one other person whom was from Wisconsin during those 10 weeks. He attended work at 8:30 am and returned home for dinner around 6:30 routinely.
"It made it a little bit easier living at home, and he helped me out a lot, and really showed me around the country," said Nicolo.
The Gambian children made quite a mark on Nicolo and he truly enjoyed learning about their culture. The children were in classrooms that were composed of cement and one window per building with weather 98 degrees and very high humidity. Nicolo stayed engaged with the children while he wasn't touring the area.
This is far from the case when it comes to senior sociology and criminal justice major Phil Nicolo.
Nicolo was a part of the Catholic Relief Services volunteers work over the summer, and had the opportunity to travel to Gambia in West Africa. The trip was intended for him to travel to various schools in Gambia and help educate the Gambian children about diseases such as, malaria, HIV, and AIDS. The experience was a total of 10 weeks and held much more than anyone could bargain for.
"I was excepted into the organization with open arms. I could have easily been treated as an outsider but instead, they included me as an active part in their project," Nicolo said.
He explained how CRS did an excellent job incorporating him into programs and the trip let him experience many other aspects of life.
Nicolo lived with one other person whom was from Wisconsin during those 10 weeks. He attended work at 8:30 am and returned home for dinner around 6:30 routinely.
"It made it a little bit easier living at home, and he helped me out a lot, and really showed me around the country," said Nicolo.
The Gambian children made quite a mark on Nicolo and he truly enjoyed learning about their culture. The children were in classrooms that were composed of cement and one window per building with weather 98 degrees and very high humidity. Nicolo stayed engaged with the children while he wasn't touring the area.
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