News

Family chooses Nicaragua over Disney World

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

Support the missions Who: The Fox Valley Mission Group What: Complete service projects in Central America and within the United States Where: 2004 service trips include Belize, Mexico and Nicaragua Donations: Donations may be made to Fox Valley Mission/St. Mary's and mailed to Cal Martin, 709 Mallard Drive, Kaukauna, 54130. St. Mary Parish handles all finances for the group. Donations are tax deductible. Information: Contact Cal Martin at (920)766-5704.

Last year, Emily Russo thought she was prepared to handle the rigors of a mission trip to Siuna, Nicaragua. Her father, Dr. Paul Russo and older sisters, Laura and Amanda, told her stories and showed her photographs from previous trips. She thought she was ready for the long bus ride from Managua, the capital city, to Siuna.

She was wrong.

"It is a total shock when you get down there," said Emily, a high school freshman. "People tell you about it, and you try to get ready for it, but it's not the same as being there. The bus ride was really bad. We left at three or four in the morning and rode the bus for 14 to 16 hours on dirt roads. We stopped two or three times, but it is a long time on the bus. There is nothing that can prepare you for it."

The bus ride aside, Emily was anxious to return to Siuna this year. She recently left with her entire family, including her mother, Lou-Mae, and brother, Henry, a sixth grader at St. Mary Middle School in Kaukauna, making their first trips to Nicaragua.

"Laura is a senior and will be going away to school next year, so we thought this was possibly our last opportunity to do something together," said Dr. Russo. "We could have taken a trip to Disney World or another vacation spot, but in Siuna we see different things. It leads to some interesting conversations. We make friends with families down there and it's a good learning experience."

The Russos, members of St. Aloysius Parish in Kaukauna, are part of the Fox Valley Mission Group, which for more than 10 years, has provided service in countries in Central America and communities within the United States.

"We go wherever we are needed," said Cal Martin, founder and coordinator of the Fox Valley Mission Group. "Nicaragua is our priority because they were the first to invite us, but we continue to welcome other opportunities."

In 2004, volunteers from the group will complete projects in Belize and Mexico, in addition to Nicaragua. Group members pay their own travel expenses including airline tickets and food. All donations to the group support the missions.

In Siuna, volunteers will continue projects they began last year during their two-week stay. Past projects have included wiring the village for electricity.

"I will be working on building fencing around school and church property," said Dr. Russo. "I have been going for five years, and I enjoy doing this. I'm a doctor, so working on building projects provides a nice change of pace for me. The people of the Fox Valley Mission Group are so dedicated and so talented. Everyone brings something different to the group, and Cal is really the driving force behind it."

The volunteers also bring items for the children of Siuna including toys, books and sports equipment. Emily plans on leaving behind the clothes she brings on the trip.

Siuna is a poor community located in the mountains. It was once the home to a prosperous gold mine, but now has few industries.

"It has a cheese factory, a small home craft industry and a tile company," said Dr. Russo. "It also has some local markets and a nice hospital that was rebuilt. Every year you see changes. Things are improving slowly."

"What I really like about the missions is seeing projects we built being used by the people," he continued. "A few years ago, we built toilets, different types of outhouses that were more sanitary. It improves their lives. The fencing for the school will keep things a little more orderly. They have chickens and a pig."

The Russo children bring homework on the trip. Catching up in the classroom is challenging, but the benefits of the trip outweigh the sacrifices, said Dr. Russo.

"I know they have learned a great deal about life in a Third World country," he said. "They've learned that kids are kids wherever you go. They also come home appreciating the luxuries they have here. It's made an impression on them."

Del Schwaller of St. Therese Parish in Appleton has been a member of the Fox Valley Mission Group for eight years. In the past, he has served in Nicaragua, but he recently departed for Punta Gorda, Belize, where the Fox Valley Mission Group and volunteers from Wauwatosa, Wis. will build two churches in a Mayan village in the bush. The construction includes masonry block with wood trusses and tin roofs. The parish is served by Jesuits.

"I decided to make a change this year," said Schwaller. "It will be a new experience. It's rewarding to help the people. It's not always easy. There are some rough spots, but it's well worth it. It gives you some sense of accomplishment, and the friendships you make are wonderful."

Punta Gorda is in the south of Belize along the Gulf of Honduras, only a few miles from Guatemala. Belize is approximately the size of Massachusetts with only 250,000 people.

"I look forward to it," said Schwaller. "I will turn 80 in June, but as long as the good Lord gives me good health, I will keep on going as long as I can."