The Fifth Annual Sigma Chi Don Juan Service Trip

Thank you so very much for funding this trip.  I cannot begin to express to you how much this money has meant to not only everyone on this trip, but to all the families/the community who took us in during our stay here.  As you may or may not know, the Dominican Republic is considered by many a third world country where many of the things we take for granted in the US, such as clean water, running water, electricity, paved roads, affordable cars, etc, are not within reach or readily accessible to much of the community here.  I can assure you that your money not only went to good use in allowing the members of this trip to experience a truly life-changing experience, but also giving people in need much needed assistance with things such as latrines, money, hope, validation, and sometimes just even a smile.  I don’t know if you knew what your money was going towards when you donated it to this trip, but I would just like to thank you once again for your generous donation and I would highly recommend donating money again in the future.  It is truly a life-changing experience for everyone involved.

Brian Doherty

It’s hard to put into words exactly what this trip did for us both individually, and as a group.  Immersing yourself into a culture that’s so different from the one we have here in the United States, you see and learn some things that you couldn’t learn here.  Technology isn’t a big thing in the neighborhood we were staying, so every night we grabbed some chairs and “stooped” in front of one of our host families’ houses and talked (or tried to talk) with the locals or played dominoes and other games with the kids.  The first couple nights were a little uncomfortable, but as our stay their lengthened we became more comfortable and realized that any awkwardness we felt, was purely our own, and that the people we were staying with, and all the people we interacted with, were open, friendly, and kind- a trait that isn’t always easy to find in the states.
I suppose the main lesson I took away from the trip to the Dominican Republic it that joy; long term, lasting joy; doesn’t come from your new computer game or having the best grade in your class or having the nicest clothes, house, cell phone, or car; joy comes from the people you surround yourself with and who care about you.  And the best way to surround yourself with people who care is to be open, friendly, and kind to everyone you meet.
Kevin Mcalpine


This has been one of the best experiences of my life.  I cannot express how glad I am that I decided to go on the trip.  My host mom, or “Donya” as mothers in the Dominican, all of the kids that I met were an amazing part of the experience.  Nothing was better than playing baseball with them every evening.  I am very thankful that I had this opportunity, and I hope to come back and see the people I made life-long friendships with.

Sean Hickey

Thank you so much for helping fund the sigma chi service trip to the Dominican Republic.  It was truly a life-changing experience.  I will never forget the joy I got to bring to the children of the village we stayed in.  Whether giving piggy-back rides or playing baseball, seeing the children’s smiling faces was a high point of our trip.  But this trip was about much more than that, on this trip we constructed latrines for the people of the poorer areas of the village.  This project was a truly humbling experience, and I the memories of this trip will last a lifetime.  Thanks again for making this possible.

Kevin Haddad

I thought I saw it all on the last service trip to the Dominican Republic… I was wrong.  I came here this time with a preconceived expectation of what it would be like, but my experience defied my expectation.  We were able to change people’s lives with interactions, presence, tangible amenities, and mere “holes.”  Coming back from a grueling day of work to see all the children in our village run up to us with smiles and excitement, yelling our names and grabbing our hands was symbolic of the trip as a whole.  The fact that we went out of our way to see people that rarely, if ever, get visitors shows that people do care about them, and that people do know they exist.  Unfortunately, it’s my last year in school and thus, a participant on this trip, but I have a good feeling this will not be the last time I see these people, see those smiles, and go out of my way here to show these people that they are cared for.

Jonathan Fricke

This is my second trip to the DR and just as last time, I was extremely glad.  It is hard to describe the “good” we are doing down here as an organization.  Just the fact that we are here is enough to put smiles on children’s faces and give everyone hope.  It is important that the need of these people is acknowledged and accommodated to the best of our abilities.  I see hope in our continued presence in the area and know we are making a difference.  Alicia, a Peace Corps worker who worked in Don Juan, sees the potential of our fraternity through not only our efforts, but also those of Brother Anderson.  She was able to make this trip run smoothly with translation and organizing our work.  With each trip the number of lives the trip has impacted (Brothers and the people of Don Juan) continue to grow in addition to the donation contributions of the brothers that went on the trip.  Most importantly, the donations of the alumni make this trip possible and we sincerely thank you,

Vincent Alleluia

This trip to the Dominican Republic was definitely an interesting one.  My expectations were very extreme in that I thought the worst was in store.  I wasn’t prepared for what was to come.  I was extremely shocked at how nice and normal the people seemed to me.  Granted, the physical appearance and materialistic goods weren’t there, but these people led simple lives and focused on things that actually mattered: being together, caring about one another, and trying to live the best lives they could.  A friend I made on this trip summed up my thoughts entirely.  He told me after many days at work together that “every nation is the same, God made all of us.”  This really stood out to me, as it is completely true.  I could write a book about my experiences and thoughts about this trip, and this is just a small bit.  This was probably the most meaningful and self-fulfilling trip I’ve ever been on.  I’m very thankful I was able to come on this trip and experience the Dominican Republic.

Matt Michael

Thank you for providing me with this opportunity to expand my character and reach out to others in need.  Some people attain a good sentiment of selflessness by donating money or objects to charity.  While this is indeed a great act of benevolence, in no way does it compare to the actual act of helping others and physically seeing the happiness we brought to these people.  Nothing compares to the amount of gratitude and hope that was elicited by those we have touched.  In a place devoid of many things we take for granted such as clean running water, internet, and even having an actual address I was exposed to pure happiness, joy, respect, friendship, and well being.  This experience has allowed me to reflect on the materialistic world we live in and recognize that life is not about what you have, but who you have, as I was exposed to the kindest and most loving people I met in the village.  Everyone works together to help each other and provide accommodations, which is lacking often in the United States.

Andrew Stark

One of the most memorable experiences of this trip was seeing a neighbor to a family receiving an outhouse let a brother use some of their unpurified water to clean the paint off his hands.  It was clearly an imposition for their based on the small un-floored, half-rusted shack they lived in, and they didn’t seem to mind helping at all.  Similar to this, several Dominicans from the community would stop by and help us with the project, without being paid anything.  They were eager to help build these outhouses on other people’s land. It was evident that the latrines were among the most valuable things they had, along with their sense of community. Thanks to all for the support that made this project possible.

Craig Rogoff

This trip has been very special to me.  When I first landed in the Dominican Republic, I first imagined a “sheltered vacation” while helping those in need.  However, I found so much more in my 10 days here.  At the first meeting with my host family I felt completely naked and vulnerable.  Armed with zero knowledge of Spanish, I feebly attempted to communicate my name and my need for a mosquito net.  Now, I feel a sort of pride and comfort as if my donia, Kiki, Oliver, and Emilie have become an extension of my family.  Working too became a relished activity as strenuous physical labor and the pouring sweat became sacred.  It soon became apparent that with every nail and every shovel of dirt we are transforming someone’s life.  What amazed me the most is that our everlasting impact is not the fact a poor person can use the bathroom, but rather that there are people that do care.

Siqi Song