Corry Pepper – life changer

Imagine, for a moment, all the things we unknowingly take for granted every single day. I’m certain that electricity, running water, and food would be high on our list as we are used to having those things far more than not.  Even when times are tough as many struggle through the valleys of our economy we still have so much compared to so many.

Local photographer Corry Pepper recently returned from a humanitarian journey in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa where she remained for over two weeks. To say the experience was life changing for her would be an understatement. “We take advantage of so much here (in Canada),” said Corry, “hot water, healthy water. Africa is so high in fluoride that their teeth are orange. Electricity, too. Most days we had no power.”

While in Tanzania, Corry was placed at the Hockey Hearts School which was built and funded by Fox Creek residents, Jody and Mike Davidson, whom Pepper describes as dear friends and amazing humans! “My favourite moment was visiting Neema House and cuddling abandoned or left-to-die babies. They just want to be held, loved, and touched,” said Corry. “One girl wouldn’t let me put her down for three hours. She was blind and had been thrown into a river to die.” Thanks to amazing volunteers and those who help fund projects such as the one Corry took part in, children are given another chance. “As cliche as it sounds, all we need is love, she said.”
Going to meet street kids was an eye opening experience, “They either have no family or they get beaten by the family who took them in so their only option is living on the streets not knowing where they will get their next meal.” Donations collected towards the trip made it possible for 30 street kids to get an apartment for two years. “It’s a roof over their heads,” said Corry, something they wouldn’t have otherwise. “Seeing kids playing with a stick and a tire and you pass by and offer them food. They would cry with happiness,” said Corry, adding that the level of poverty was something she had never seen in her whole life. One child she met was 14 and extremely intelligent. “He wants to be an engineer,” sadly adding that he “sleeps at a cemetery every night.”

Corry witnessed much beauty in both her surroundings and the people.  Seeing wild animals like lions and elephants out on a safari was a definite highlight and experiencing the culture from modes of transportation, travelling alongside goats and chickens, to the local cuisine. During her time, Pepper taught English, math, and art to the children and played with them, as well. “The bright smiles of the children was so contagious. To be ecstatic over socks, pencils, and erasers was lovely to witness,” she shared.

Throughout all the beauty, Corry also experienced overwhelming sadness as she met children who have been put through so much. Recounting one especially hard moment, she said, “I went out with a local cab driver who took me to a safe house for girls between eight and18 who had been raped. Five minutes after arriving an eight-year-old came in after just being rescued. She was raped, beaten, tied to a tree, and left to die.” As a mom to young girls, Corry took the moment very hard, “I cried when I came home. We are so lucky to live in Canada!”

Pepper urges those who want to help, to just do it. “Being scared of your dreams means you are dreaming big enough.” The organization Corry used is www.ivhq.com and she hopes to encourage others to join her.