Father Cool's Thoughs

After reading David’s recent post, I too echo his reflection at the generosity of so many that has simply made this trip possible. In just over 2 months, this group of guys with about 100 family, friends, and brothers, has combined to raise just about $14,500 to make a difference in the lives of complete strangers. Why do people take such action? In many ways I believe wanting to make a difference is inherent in each of us. We know when there is injustice and we know that indeed, we have opportunity and responsibility to do what we can. Back in the second week of November we made the decision to move forward after raising just over $6,000. This amount bought us the plane tickets which we needed to secure. We took a chance and trusted in the continued generosity that got us to that point. In the next six weeks we raised the $7,000 necessary for the building materials for the project and the $1,000 in country expenses (housing and food). At times our plans were uncertain, but as each day passed and donations arrived almost on a daily basis and the student’s hard work in fundraising was accomplished, I became more and more confident and excited at the possibility that awaits us in country and within Gamma Pi! Please allow me to extend my personal thank you!!!!!!!!

A few other thoughts before the wheels lift off at JFK:

-Dealing with details like collecting medical reports from the participants so we are prepared for any medical needs

-Personally, these last few days have been spent getting immunizations (typhoid fever, tetanus and hepatitis A) and medications (anti-malaria pills and cipro), work boots, mosquito netting to name only a few. I am sure others are also pulling together.

-A significant issue that has taken a fair amount of time is the needs of one brother. His passport has not yet been returned by the Czech Republic consulate. In February, he is planning on studying abroad and had to submit it to get a visa. To make sure we don’t loose the money spent on a lost airline ticket we will be joined by a more recent Gamma Pi alumni, Kyle Struble to take his place. Should the passport arrive, we will purchase a new ticket for the brother who had to give up his spot as he waits.

-Finally, since the day before Christmas it has came to my attention that while I have traveled with many groups for numerous events and activities, this marks the first time the group I am going with is not a “church group”. Going with 10 fraternity guys is going to be a whole new experience!!!

Father Brian Cool

Final Thoughts

Well we are a few short days away from our departure and I can't help but think how miraculous it is that this trip is actually going forward. I am humbled by the massive outpouring of generosity that has accompanied the lead-up to this.  In an endeavor where every dollar counted, total strangers gave us large donations in good faith that we would put it to good use.  It is my full intention to make the best of this opportunity and use all 10 days to help make a difference in the lives of these people.  Too often we forget how fortunate we all are to live in the First World, where we bicker over petty issues that are unimaginable to people whose primary concern is getting a meal on the table for their children or shoes on their feet.  Hopefully I can return back with a greater sense of my life, and redouble my efforts to help those that cannot help themselves.
     Myself and Eric will be looking into a way to help these people generate sustainable electricity, as their electricity comes in intermittently and for a few short hours a day.  Perhaps this trip could become the first of an annual expedition we make to do little projects to make their lives easier.  Thank you again for all your generosity, it really means the world to all of us going and the people we plan to help.  We will be updating the blog with pictures and other commentary when we get to the town on Saturday evening.  Have a happy New Year.

David Levy

Getting Close/Eric Campbell!

Editors note: We are so close to are goal with only a few short weeks to go.  We are still about $2,000 short.  If you gave, we urge you to give again.  This will truly make a huge difference.

What this trip means to me.

     I often encounter this question on why we do these philanthropic ventures. I have often received various amounts of feedback ranging from a desire to impress someone, to answering a call that was made. I will let the psychologist and philosophers delve into the depth of the how’s and why’s we unconsciously decide to help those in need. My answer to this query is simple: it needs to be done.

Looking back on my own accomplishments I’ve had so far, I can attribute a majority of them to those who stood up and helped me when I needed it. Not to say it could not have been done on my own, but when someone gets to a wall that is just a bit too big to get over, the little bit of help makes the difference.

     Now I understand that this project will not be the end all to the problems that are out there in the Dominican Republic; however, I do sincerely believe that if what we do here has the potential to help someone, then the answer to whether we should do this or not is simple.

Lets do this.

Reflections from Siyani Fullerton

As December begins, we are just about a month away from our departure to the Dominican, and I have been reflecting on what I hope to gain from the experience of this trip. Having gone to Catholic schools for most of my life, community service has always been stressed as something that should be a regular part of our life. I feel that this trip is going to give all of us a view of extreme poverty that we probably have never seen before. We will be living where we work, experiencing exactly what the locals live day-in and day-out, meaning that we will have a true understanding of third world poverty, not just numbers and statistics.

Why are we doing this?

As a Catholic, I am always called to serve the individuals of various communities, especially those who are less fortunate than I am. When I was approached about joining a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in conjunction with Sigma Chi, I immediately enlisted knowing that this would be a wonderful opportunity to help members of one of the poorer communities in the Dominican Republic, L’Elmo.  By helping to re-build the community center in this small Dominican village, I am looking forward to not only getting the chance to provide a much needed service to the local community, but also to having the opportunity to broaden my horizons and gain a better understanding of the conditions of communities similar to L’Elmo throughout the world.

Growing up in a middle class family in the United States has been a privilege, and I thank God everyday for the wonderful opportunities that I have been given.  However, I also feel as though my experience living in a first-world country has sheltered me from some of the realities of the “real” world.  One of these realities includes understanding the poverty and suffering extant in a number of less fortunate communities throughout second and third-world countries. L’Elmo is one such community.  While I understand that participating in this mission trip will not solve the economic problems prevalent in the Dominican Republic or even L’Elmo, I am excited about having the chance to positively influence a community in need.  In doing so, I hope that this trip will not only help me open my eyes to the suffering that takes place communities such as L’Elmo, but that it will also help me better appreciate the smaller things in life.

~Jeff Anderson

One of the major reasons for me to attend this trip to the Dominican Republic is to expand my horizons. I feel that often we are engulfed by our everyday routines and our everyday worries, we lose perspective on what life actually is and how it actually works. Often I feel that we forget how fortunate we all are and we stress endlessly on things that are insignificant in the greater scope. By going to a place like Dominican Republic, and helping those who are truly in need will absolutely help me as well as the rest of our group to see just how life works outside of our usually scope of familiarity. I think not only can we bring our values as well as our most precious convictions to aid those in need, we can learn from them a perspective that can truly help us in pursuing a greater path of service to others. 

~Pete Zhang