Seacoastonline
By Brittany Givens
EXETER — When Kelsey McDermott, an Exeter High School junior, first brought up the idea of traveling to Morocco to her parents, it took a great deal convincing to allow her to go.
With a country surrounded by so much unrest and the cost of the trip, McDermott took some time to figure out what she wanted in life.
McDermott expressed her dream of becoming a novelist and traveling the world to learn about other cultures. Her parents ultimately decided that it would be a good step to start her dream.
“We instantly recognized that this was potentially a life-changing and maturing opportunity for her,” Sandy McDermott, Kelsey’s mother, said. “Potentially a huge step towards becoming an adult and following her passion. Who are we to say, ‘Don’t bother, it’s too much work, it’ll never happen?'”
In July, McDermott will travel to Morocco to help build community centers or classrooms and teach English through Global Routes, a group dedicated to community service in other countries.
McDermott, 16, will be traveling with 18 other high school students and two American leaders and two Moroccan leaders for four weeks from July 2-29.
“I’ve always wanted to travel,” McDermott said, “So I thought this would be a good way to start and get the community service.”
During the first week the group will explore Fez, a market city. The second and third weeks will be spent traveling through the Mid-Atlas Mountains.
The group will also have the chance to travel through the Sahara Desert on camelback.
McDermott first heard about Global Routes through Sarah Illingworth, the executive director of New Outlook Teen Center in Exeter, who formerly worked for Global Routes. McDermott has previous community service experience working with the New Outlook Teen Center and the French Honor Society.
The group will be broken up in pairs to stay with host families so they will be able to cook with the families and celebrate Ramandan.
Morocco is a melting pot of cultures including European, African, and Middle Eastern cultures.
McDermott is excited to get the chance to speak French in Morocco, as it is the official language. The group will speak mostly English but are able to practice their French with the locals and also be exposed to Arabic.
Though Global Routes offers different destination options, such as Kenya, Belize, Brazil, and India, McDermott ultimately chose Morocco because it was the only country with a French-speaking language and their architecture.
“They have some pretty cool buildings,” McDermott said. “The mountains look really pretty and going through the Sahara on camel. We stay in traditional tents in the desert.”
McDermott is excited for the experience, but it is also the first time she has been overseas.
“I’m a little nervous,” McDermott said.
After college, McDermott hopes to continue traveling and doing community service with the Peace Corps as she is becoming more aware of the injustices in the world and would like to find her role in helping, according to her mother.
McDermott is trying to raise money for her trip any way she can. She is currently taking donations through her blog, mymoroccantrip.blogspot.com, and selling a number of different items including her mother’s paintings, fleece blankets, and calendars featuring pictures from her trip.
She will also be hosting a clothing swap on April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Congregational Church in Exeter. Gently warn clothes can be swapped with a donation of $10. She also plans to hold a yard sale on May 19, location and time to be determined.
Any questions regarding the events or donating, e-mail McDermott at kelsey_marin.
