World Person Project –Irish Young People recall “treasures” of trip to South America

 
"To be is more important than to do" is the lesson for one teenager as he interacts with Paraguayan man.

World person project530 Young People from 21 nations descended on the Focolare’s little town of O’Higgins, Argentina last month.  Among them was a group of 24 young Irish people.

For the first of Phase of the World Person Project  (Hombre Mundo)  the young people shared, laughed, talked and thought together about the challenge to  “hold in our hearts the treasures offered by all the continents, and know how to share our own treasures!”

Through workshops, countless group selfies, talks and international Expos of Culture, the teenagers learnt about each other’s cultures, but it was the deep sharing of personal experiences and scores of interactions which truly bonded those present.

“If everyone could experience the atmosphere that we had together in Mariapolis Lia – a united world , undoubtedly – would be realised,” commented 17 year old Conleth Burns from Antrim.

Vero –a young person from Paraguay discovered that: “Everyone can smile in the same language.”

“Thanks guys for showing us adults that another world is possible,” said psychologist  Arturo Claria “Thanks for showing that there is one language that binds beyond cultures, differences, languages and needs no translation: LOVE!”

The teenagers, who have since returned to Ireland, said however the true purpose of the time at the workshop in Argentina  was to energise them for the work they did when they left.

In the second week, inspired by the words of Focolare founder Chiara Lubich: “One City is not enough. Aim furtherat your country, at everyone’s country, at the whole world.” the Irish set off for Paraguay, travelling over 26 hours by bus.

“It was in the depths of our tiredness, that we had to live the World Person. To smile, laugh and love to the end – that was the treasure we could share,” commented  Catherine Burke – one of the leaders.

It was the spirit of transforming places, peoples and hearts with the Irish smile that kept the group going in Paraguay as they travelled the breadth of the country working on various projects supported by Focolare.

mural.At Lambare, the group together with locals helped to brighten up a school painting walls and gardening.  Everyone contributed to a permanent mural in the school. “That day was also the chance to greet the people of Luque – the elderly people in the St. Francis of Assisi Nursing Home,” recalls Conleth. “I was speaking with a man, who only spoke Guarani (the native language of Paraguay). I hadn’t a word, but yet I could communicate with him; not in words, but in presence. At this moment I knew; to be is much more important than to do.”

The next day the group went to the community of San Miguel.  Over 20 years ago, the Focolare was asked to help a group of people there who were living in terrible poverty on a rubbish dump that had been flooded. They were  homeless and desolate but over time ” a community of light was born,” recounts Conleth.  A clinic,  a school and a library were born.  Twenty families moved to San Miguel and house by house  the community grew stronger.

The Irish and Paraguayan teenagers who had been at the World Person Project set to cleaning up an area of San Miguel with paint and brushes. “I felt privileged to see people who had nothing and didn’t complain at all, they just got on with life,” commented Cathal Milner (17) from County Tipperary.  “It was a wake-up call for everyone.”

The Irish group then travelled across Paraguay to the city of Caazapá where they visited a community living in severe poverty.  Together with the scouts, they distributed food bags, presents and some hot drinks and food.  But more than that, they played with the children, did some Irish dances and songs and games.

“For us – it was a chance to help with what helps us, with our culture, our treasures,” said Michael Gately (18) from Kildare. “By helping others, we made a new culture.”

The last stop on the trip was to a small children’s care home where the group played with the children and gave them simple presents. Many of them felt that this was a very strong experience, a  realisation of the ‘aiming further’ of which  Chiara had dreamt – this along with all experiences they had  lived in Paraguay.

Tired but happy, the Irish group back in Dublin.
Tired but happy, the Irish group back in Dublin.

“I was surprised by the way the children acted towards us,” said  Siobhán Ní Ghuairim (16) from Limerick. “They were happy with what little they have.  We are unhappy with everything we have.  It is an eye opener.”

Maria O’Sullivan (16) from Dublin, agreed.  “I’ve learnt to make the most of what I have.”

A few stops on the sightseeing trial, a few hours more travelling, a party by the Focolare community of Paraguay and a few flights later brought the group home to Dublin Airport.

Arguably, the most important phase of the project – Phase 3 – lies ahead, says Conleth. The chance to continually realise this ‘World Person,’ to live what we promised in Argentina: “As World Persons; we will build a just, fraternal and peaceful future for everyone!”