2008 Woodie Awards
International itinerary
SHU makes an impact in El Salvador
Leah Gallagher
Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: News
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A group of students and faculty returned from Spring Break this week with more than just a tan.
For the 12th consecutive year a delegation of SHU students and faculty have sacrificed their spring break to travel to El Salvador and enrich the lives of citizens of the Tierra Blanca community.
A main goal of the trip was to both physically and emotionally offer assistance to the Tierra Blanca community.
"Although part of the trip did involve physical labor, it was mainly centered around interacting with the community of Tierra Blanca and learning about their culture," said Jay DeRosa, senior, Braintree, Mass.
The group accomplished this goal through making memorable bonds with citizens of the community and donating the estimated $10,000 that they raised for the trip to the areas of the community they felt needed it most.
The trip, planned by Mike Moylan, the Director of Student Union and Terry Neu, Assistant Professor for the Department of Education, consisted of 19 students and five faculty advisors.
Amy Ricci, with the Student Mentor Office, Maria Lizano-DiMare, and Edward Hendricks, Assistant Professors along with the trips student advisors, seniors Jessica Boy and Laura Kelly played key roles in planning the trip. The efforts of every member of the delegation were essential to the trip.
"Each member contributed in different ways, each one being equally as important," said DeRosa.
For DeRosa the most memorable part of the trip was speaking with an 11 year old boy named Jose.
"Never have I seen somebody with so little, act like he had so much. I never knew that the most inspirational person that I would ever meet would be somebody that was half my age. I never saw him without a smile on his face, encouraging me to go home with an entirely new perspective on life. I am a better person for now knowing Jose and having the chance to attend this trip."
In addition to the emotional involvement contributed, the delegation made significant financial contributions to the community. "Prior to the trip we fund raised roughly $10,000 in which we all had a part in deciding how to use the money and specifically where the donations would go," said DeRosa.
For the 12th consecutive year a delegation of SHU students and faculty have sacrificed their spring break to travel to El Salvador and enrich the lives of citizens of the Tierra Blanca community.
A main goal of the trip was to both physically and emotionally offer assistance to the Tierra Blanca community.
"Although part of the trip did involve physical labor, it was mainly centered around interacting with the community of Tierra Blanca and learning about their culture," said Jay DeRosa, senior, Braintree, Mass.
The group accomplished this goal through making memorable bonds with citizens of the community and donating the estimated $10,000 that they raised for the trip to the areas of the community they felt needed it most.
The trip, planned by Mike Moylan, the Director of Student Union and Terry Neu, Assistant Professor for the Department of Education, consisted of 19 students and five faculty advisors.
Amy Ricci, with the Student Mentor Office, Maria Lizano-DiMare, and Edward Hendricks, Assistant Professors along with the trips student advisors, seniors Jessica Boy and Laura Kelly played key roles in planning the trip. The efforts of every member of the delegation were essential to the trip.
"Each member contributed in different ways, each one being equally as important," said DeRosa.
For DeRosa the most memorable part of the trip was speaking with an 11 year old boy named Jose.
"Never have I seen somebody with so little, act like he had so much. I never knew that the most inspirational person that I would ever meet would be somebody that was half my age. I never saw him without a smile on his face, encouraging me to go home with an entirely new perspective on life. I am a better person for now knowing Jose and having the chance to attend this trip."
In addition to the emotional involvement contributed, the delegation made significant financial contributions to the community. "Prior to the trip we fund raised roughly $10,000 in which we all had a part in deciding how to use the money and specifically where the donations would go," said DeRosa.
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