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Assistant Managing Editor WILBRAHAM Fourteen-year-old town resident Michael Azevedo has decided to do something different with his summer off from school. He decided he wanted to do something for the greater good, and for his own personal development. He is going to spend his summer in Indonesia, in an area that was hit hard by the December tsunami, then hit again by the aftershock earthquake that rocked the region in March. "This will definitely be a life-changing experience," he told The Reminder. "I'm hoping it will humble me a bit. It's not a vacation I want to do something in the world, to change it." Michael said he learned of the mission from a friend who has also participated in the program, and he was inspired to take the leap and do some good work of his own. Leaving on June 21, he will spend two weeks in boot camp at the teen mission he is taking the trip with, Teen Missions International on Merrit Island, Florida, which is a non-denominational Christian mission. At boot camp, Michael said he will be totally prepared for the conditions and work in Indonesia. "Nothing will be a surprise," he said. His group will include 17 other teens from the U.S. and Canada. They will travel together to Indonesia, sleep in tents and bathe and do laundry out of buckets for the summer, rebuild churches and share their Christian message with local residents of Nias Palau Island. This island was the epicenter of the large March earthquake, which killed 1,000 people. Michael's trip will end the second week of August, when his group will spend five days in Malaysia, where they will be debriefed before returning to their normal lives in the U.S. Fifteen hundred other teens will travel to other parts of the world this summer to participate in other Teen Missions projects. To prepare for his job, Azevedo said he must memorize some scripture, learn some common building skills, and raise money (at least the $3,500 that is necessary to participate in the trip). He will be prepared for the living conditions there during his two-week boot camp. To reach his fund-raising goal, which Leanne said he decided to do on his own, Michael has been selling candy and candles, seeking sponsors, and doing various part-time jobs like landscaping. At press time, he had hit his first goal of $2,500 and said he would welcome any donation to help reach the $3,500 goal. "I'm more than half way," he said. Leanne also pointed out that the trip itself will cost him $5,000 when travel costs are added. The $3,500 covers the expense of items he is expected to bring with him, such as tools, and living and building supplies. As he prepares for his trip, Michael Azevedo said he feels more and more like he was called to do it, and said he has had a very supportive response from friends and neighbors. "It's exciting watching people's responses," Leanne Azevedo said. "In a way [he is not only challenging himself, but] he is challenging his peers." While Leanne noted there are inherent risks in traveling so far away from home to such a devastated region, she pointed out that there are many risks for teens who stay home all summer. "I'd rather [the risk factor] be for the better of mankind," she added. She also said she and Michael think that his young age is precisely what allows him to take this trip and give of himself. "You watch your life get complicated really quickly," she said. "He just has himself right now." Michael will be required by the mission to write to his family at least once a week, but they will also be able to correspond as often as they would like while he is there; however, the communication will be limited to hand-written letters due to the lack of Internet and phone accessibility in that region. Michael will turn 15 during his trip, and will return home one week before his home-schooling is scheduled to begin again. His family is planning a welcome home party for him in August. Anyone who is interested in sponsoring Michael on his trip may contact him using the following methods: by phone at 413-210-2534; by e-mail at scrabble59@hotmail.com; or by mail at 23 Bittersweet Lane Wilbraham, MA 01095. Checks may be made out to Michael Azevedo or Teen Missions International, but they must be delivered to Michael. |
