ST. ANDREW DEANERY — Running water and electricity at the flip of a switch. Easy access to transportation. Washers and dryers that make laundry a simple household task.

These are the kinds of conveniences that Kelsey Gault, a junior at Mount Notre Dame High School, admits she used to take for granted. A trip to Africa last June with her mother, Jean, and aunt, Connie Naber, a 1979 graduate of MND, completely changed her perspective.

The women traveled to Arusha, Tanzania, to visit and work at the St. Lucia Hospice and Orphanage. Originally established as an adult hospice, St. Lucia is predominantly an orphanage now where the staff lovingly cares for HIV-positive children.

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Kelsey Gault and her aunt, Jean Naber, with a young resident at St. Lucia.

The Karama Connection has enabled her to provide that help, working with St. Lucia’s executive director, Winfrida Mwashala, to improve the lives of the children. This includes providing medical supplies and raising funds for the construction of a new building.

When Naber asked her niece if she would be interested in visiting St. Lucia, Gault jumped at the opportunity to volunteer with the same enthusiasm she brings to her studies at MND and her role on the high school’s soccer and track teams. "I’d heard all these stories from my aunt about the kids and wanted to meet them for myself," she said.

Gault arrived with her aunt and mother to find St. Lucia situated on four acres in the impoverished village of Arusha. In order to remain as self-sufficient as possible, the orphanage staff raises livestock and crops. They have cows to provide milk for the children, but also to sell to the villagers, along with homegrown corn, beans, lettuce and other produce. Earlier this year the center received electricity and running water for the first time after a well was drilled on site.

"It was so exciting to hear the water running in the tanks," Gault said. "The trenches were dug by hand and were nearly a mile long. The people had been waiting for this for such a long time."

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Kelsey Gault shares a special moment with a child from the St. Lucia Hospice and Orphanage.

Along with her sense of enthusiasm, Gault brought resources from home to share with the children of St. Lucia. Prior to the trip she sent a letter to family members and friends explaining her mission and requesting donations. Gault raised more than $3,200 to purchase educational materials for both the children and staff.

Naber was moved by both her niece’s initiative and the positive attitude with which she embraced her experience at St. Lucia. "Kelsey was really a great volunteer. She did whatever she was asked with a humble heart."

Gault was inspired by the faith and commitment of both her aunt and Mwashala and learned much from the trip. "Their love for the kids in unconditional and they have made a huge difference in the lives of (the people) of this small community," she said. "This entire experience has changed my life. I have a much deeper appreciation for the things that I took completely for granted like water, shelter, food and clothes."