A Spanish and English teacher at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, his students immediately caught his enthusiasm and plans were made to help out schools in Peru.

"There's a lot of poverty there, and we're helping to renovate some schools near Cusco, that part of the country that's near Machu Pichu, a famous mountainous area," says Mr. McLaughlin, who previously led several trips to volunteer in the Dominican Republic.

The difference is that the group going to Peru, beginning July 25 and travelling in three small groups for 10 consecutive days each, will be comprised of students 18 and older as well as a number of adults. The trip is independent of the school board, and just as many adults as students will be going, says Mr. McLaughlin.

A trip to scout out the territory and to establish contacts was made last summer by him and some others, after students at St. Mary raised $9,000 from a school walkathon and other fundraisers. The money was used to build a school greenhouse and put in a computer lab at another school.

A similar 10-kilometre walkathon will be held this coming Saturday, May 3rd starting at St. Mary at 9 am. He says he expects $6,000 to $7,000 will be raised, and between 100 and 150 people will participate.

The 10-day trip will feature home stays with local families, a bus trip to Machu Pichu, dance lessons, and other fun activities.