Home / Member News / Supporting Splatsin Youth International trip
September 24, 2019
Re: Supporting Splatsin Youth
Education First tours provide students with the opportunity to visit places they have learned about in school, but it is much more than that. These youth will be immersed into the culture surrounded by the people, the language and the food during their travels across the world. They will be able to explore new lands and cultures among their peers and are sure to be profoundly impacted by this experience.
On March 18th, 2020 three youth from Splatsin will be embarking on a once in a lifetime trip for 14 days to Italy and a 4-day tour extension to the Greek islands with students from across School District 83. This was an opportunity that presented itself to these young men with a short window to accept as there were only 6 seats left open to be filled on this trip. Splatsin band members Hunter Eustache, Fenton Eustache and Mason Estabrooks signed up for this adventure and we as the parents have now begun the task of raising funds to support this dream trip for these 3 young men.
We will be undertaking as many fund-raising activities over the next 5 months as we can to try to raise as much of the funds as we can: including such initiatives as loonie auctions, dinners, 50-50, and other draws to help offset the cost of this trip and allow our children to partake in this once in a lifetime opportunity.
All three young men are 14 years old, attend school at A. L. Fortune and are doing well academically and are active in the Splatsin Community.
Mason is active in sports such as Lacrosse and hockey. He has recently endured gruesome tryouts competing against 36 kids from our neighboring communities as far away as Revelstoke. He was successfully chosen as a top 15 youth who will play on the Salmon Arm Tier 2 Bantam Rep Hockey team. Mason is often MVP in games and has scored many goals and assists throughout his time as a hockey player. He is a dedicated and hardworking player with practices, games and tournaments taking up most of his free time. Mason coaches speak highly in regard to his work ethic, respectfulness and his ability to be coached.
Hunter is active in martial arts and holds championship belts for his age and weight in 3 provinces, BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan, for both Gi and No Gi and also has a championship belt for contact MMA and a North American Grappling Association championship belt for No Gi in both Oregon and Washington. He actively participates in the Splatsin youth group as well as attends the Secwepemc Nation youth group monthly.
Over the 2019 summer break Hunter and Mason enjoyed being a part of the 2019 Canoe Journey and positively represented their home community of Splatsin during the 14-day journey. Both are looking forward to helping as part of the host community team for the 2020 Canoe Journey at Splatsin. Both young men felt that this was a great experience and one that they will never forget.
Fenton was active in martial arts and holds championship belts in 3 provinces, BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan, for both Gi and No Gi for his age and weight division and also has a North American Grappling Association championship belt for Gi in both Oregon and Washington. Unfortunately, Fenton was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 7 and in more recent times starting in September 2018 he has had a flare of his illness which came in the form of kidney failure/to disease and also a heart condition that severely restricts his activities. He can no longer do Martial arts due to his heart condition and is limited in partaking in most physical activities that a healthy young man of his age would do. However, Fenton is an avid reader and you would be hard pressed to find him at any time without a book in hand. Fenton more recently has begun to attend the Splatsin youth group and enjoys doing the voluntary work, especially delivery of food to the elders of the community. It is mostly due to Fenton’s huge interest in Greece and Greek mythology that this trip became a priority for our family because he was the first to say he really, really wanted to go as it was a dream of his to be able to travel there. After suffering through the last year while his illness was very active, through numerous visits to Children’s hospital for treatments and care, his family just want to provide him with as many positive opportunities as possible to enrich his life.
The trip cost is $5776 per student which includes flights, accommodations and two meals a day. We are responsible for paying, gratuities to our trip group lead for each of the boys which is $250.00 each and also providing money for one meal a day and any shopping they may want to do which will be at minimum $25 per day or $350 each for the 14 days.
Total cost of the 14-day trip per participant: $6376.00
Please note that a deposit of $199 for each of the young men was required when they boys signed up and this has already been paid by the parents and does not decrease the above amount.
Any contributions or participation in any of the fundraising activities is greatly appreciated.
Below are the direct donation links. Please let people know that they are welcome to contribute directly through the secure links. There is one for each youth.
Hunter
http://personal.eftours.ca/secure/make-donation.aspx?poid=DD5BA3F1&utm_medium=web&utm_source=paxsecure&utm_campaign=fundraising
Fenton
http://personal.eftours.ca/secure/make-donation.aspx?poid=DD5BEE96&utm_medium=web&utm_source=paxsecure&utm_campaign=fundraising
Mason
http://personal.eftours.ca/secure/make-donation.aspx?poid=DD5BE1D6&utm_medium=web&utm_source=paxsecure&utm_campaign=fundraising
Sincerely,
Loretta Eustache (250)309-4242
Chanelle Celesta
Bingo Fundraiser
Date: Sunday Nov 10th, 2019
Start Time: 1 pm
Location: Splatsin Center Community Room
Purpose of event: Splatsin Youth’s Educational trip to Italy and Greek Isle during Spring Break 2020
*Please note there is limited seating*
For more information, Contact
Loretta Eustache (250) 309 4242