Bahamas Trip

By: Meredith Y. '30

Berkeley’s commitment to putting people in the world who make a positive difference can be seen in many aspects of the school’s culture. However, it is especially evident in the community service program. One such example would be the eighth grade Bahama Books trip. Founded and sponsored by former Berkeley students and parents of the Tsavoussis family, it is a collaborative effort between select eighth grade and high school students which aims to improve Bahamian students' access to books and inspire a love of reading in the country’s youth. Led by Ms. Walker, Mrs. Estes, and Ms. Dunn, twenty students (eleven middle and nine upper) flew to Nassau to make a positive difference at Nassau Christian School.

Students spent months preparing for the trip. Since the very first community service day, the eighth grade Bahama Books community service group diligently labeled the books that were to be brought to the Bahamas. This process made sure the books would be organized when the students arrived in Nassau to set up the library. Not all the eighth graders who went on the trip were in the service group, and not all the eighth graders who were in the service group went on the trip. MD librarian, Ms. Walker found the process to be beneficial nonetheless. She told the Bugle “on our dedicated days, students really learn the process of what it’s like to put a library together.” Books were not the only focus. The group also hosted a bake sale to raise money for sports equipment and other school supplies to bring to the Bahamas, and Berkeley shipped used computers, a resource previously unavailable at Nassau Christian School. Mrs. Estes made frequent drives to Orlando to ensure that all of these items made it to Nassau. As the trip came closer, groups of eighth graders and high schoolers were put together to prepare lessons for students grades first to sixth. Members of each group chose a book for their specific grade level and formed a short lesson plan around it.

In addition to those resources, Mr. Vogel provided this year’s Bahamas group with playground equipment. He wanted his students to see that the work they were doing in class could have a greater impact on the world. “My students spend time learning how to transform raw materials into useful and well-crafted objects. The possibility that those skills could bring joy to children at an under-resourced school felt like a meaningful extension of what I try to accomplish every day,” he explained. Despite not being able to go to the Bahamas, Mr. Vogel found the experience to be incredibly rewarding. “Knowing that something built by our students may bring laughter and play to children in a distant place is a powerful affirmation of why this kind of work matters.” 

Once these items were prepared, the students arrived to Berkeley along with Mrs. Estes, Ms. Walker, and Ms. Dunn on the morning of Saturday, February 14th, ready to depart for the Orlando airport. Despite having a delayed flight, the students were still spirited (albeit tired) upon arriving in the Bahamas. 

The next day, Sunday, they drove from their hotel, The Baha Mar, to Nassau Christian School. Here, lesson plans were finalized, and the students were then assigned their tasks for the day. Some worked on shelving and organizing books in the library, others on painting the outside of the school, others still on constructing the playground equipment supplied by Mr. Vogel, and finally, a small group worked to set up a computer lab area. All were delighted to see that a few young children had already begun to enjoy the equipment brought.

Berkeley students and teachers returned to the school Monday morning. They watched the school’s morning assembly where students prayed, sang the Bahamian national anthem, recited bible verses, and gave their thanks to Berkeley and the Tsavoussis family. Mrs. Estes and Mr. Tsavoussis each gave speeches about the importance of literacy and the joy they find in helping to spread it. The Berkeley students were then given a short period with which to prepare their lesson plans. Once completed, they were sent to the classrooms of their respective grade levels. All the Bahamian students were enthusiastic about the books and showed incredible gratitude to the Berkeley students presenting lessons. The goal of the lessons was not only to get these kids excited about reading, but also to form an international relationship between Berkeley students and students of Nassau Christian School. 

But eventually, the shared time had to come to an end. Berkeley students were permitted to say goodbye to the Bahamian students they had spent time with, and the Berkeley students returned to their hotel. The following day was a “fun day” which included a visit to the resort’s water park and the beach, but this trip’s true impact came through the community service. For those who went on the trip, they had nothing but good things to say. Zoya M. 30’ said she hopes to do the trip again in high school, calling it “one of the best community service trips I’ve ever done.” This sentiment was shared by every eighth grader the Bugle interviewed. 

As students of Berkeley Preparatory School, we have access to many resources and opportunities, and we are called to share what we have with those in need around us. It benefits not only them, but also ourselves. Whether it’s the Bahamas trip or another form of community service, leave your mark of kindness on the world: you will make a positive difference.