The Third Annual Sigma Chi L'Elmo Service Trip

Thank You!

2012-01-23T14:36:00.003-05:00

The brother’s of Gamma Pi wish to thank all those who have supported the 3^rd Annual Trip to the Dominican Republic. The following are reflections of three questions the brother’s were given upon their return. Without the generous support of so many this trip and the impact of it would not have been possible. While we hoped to build more laterine’s it became impossible because of logistical reasons. The end result was being able to paint the homes of some 10 families. These homes were in complete disrepair. It is not a stretch of the imagination to say that a paint brush caused the wall to move and the wood to crumble. They had never been painted. Our work provided not only some relief from the elements but also gave the homeowners a sense of identity and pride. Additionally, we spent two days painting a world map on a school wall. Many of the children (and adults) had never seen an atlas and had little to no understanding of countries around the world. The experience was highlighted by not only the learning and work but in many ways the interaction between brother’s and our host families (where we stayed) and the neighbors who came out to volunteer with us each day!

Again, many thanks for your support!

Fr. Brian Cool

Greg McKay

Jonathan Fricke

Tim Felong

Dave Abplanalp

Vinny Alleluia

1) What was one or two memorable experiences/encounters or learning experiences you had in the Dominican Republic?

2) How do you see yourself or the brother’s you went with differently?

3) What impact do you think your service/presence made in the lives of those you served?

Jonathan Fricke:

While in the Dominican Republic, we stayed in a small town that we thought was pretty impoverished. We walked about a mile down a rocky dirt road that is notoriously dangerous at night to a village called, "La Guasumita" to paint some houses. I will never forget the first time that I saw that village. There will little children with nothing but rags for shorts running around, teenage boys and girls not more that 14 performing duties that mothers and fathers would usually do, and lots of people simply sitting around passing time. These people live the simplest lives yet still manage to survive. They do not solely live for pleasure, but still are intact with the basic principles of survival.

I see myself in a different sort of light after returning from this trip. I have a better understanding for how the majority of the world lives, an understanding that one cannot understand unless first hand involved in such an experience. My brothers that went on the trip with me share this bond of knowledge, simply having the exposure to the lifestyle of these people.

I distinctly remember that one of the people whose house we painted said, "I used to have to tell people that my house was the one with no color, but now I can tell them, my house is the blue and white house." Even just painting their houses meant the world to them and more so, our presence there meant even more. Showing these people that others do, in fact, care about them and they are not forgotten by any means.

Timothy Felong:

My host family was awesome; Greg and I were both fortunate to live with them for a week. Roseangela – funny, outgoing, and larger-than-life – was the mother to toddlers Beba and Chi-Chi. Beba was a ball of energy with therapeutic laughter, while Chi-Chi was timid but compassionate all the same. Chi-Chi and Beba have different fathers, neither of which come around more than once a week. Roseangela, who was unemployed at the time we were there, basically has to provide for her children on her own. Roseangela’s familial composition was not unique; mother and children under a roof with little or no presence of a father was commonplace in the villages where we stayed and worked. One experience really brought the consequences of this societal issue to life for Greg and I. On the night before we left, as Beba and Chi-Chi were sleeping, Greg and I brought parting gifts to Roseangela. After she thanked us, she broke down into tears. Knowing some Spanish, I was able to comprehend that Roseangela really appreciated our presence in their home and was sad to see us go. She said how grateful she was for the gifts we gave to her children on Three Kings’ Day. But, more importantly, she said that it meant a lot for them to have positive, male, adult role models in the house. And then she discussed concerns about Beba and Chi-Chi growing up without a father. It was during this moment – when Roseangela opened up to Greg and I – that I became aware of how serious a problem their living situation was. Although Roseangela is strong-willed, independent and has a kind heart, I could not help but be worried about Beba and Chi-Chi’s future without a father to teach them so many things about life. This invaluable moment of human interaction, across language and culture, really allowed me to reflect on how blessed my life has been. Not only can I live comfortably, without having to worry about enough food or water, and have access to an education, but I have a strong family whose love and support has molded me into the person I am today. And, from this trip and that moment, I learned that a strong and complete family must never be taken for granted.

When I took the time to think about why I wanted to go on this trip, I realized that it was because I wanted to go out of my comfort zone and experience a different culture firsthand. I wanted to go to a developing country, see some of its problems with my own eyes, and do what I could to help fix those problems. And that’s exactly what I did. In a discussion about poverty or different cultures, I no longer have to reference statistics or a text book, I can tell stories from this trip. I think that there’s a huge difference between reading or hearing about and experiencing different things in this world. And after this trip I can now say that I have immersed myself within and fully experienced another culture. This trip has allowed me to bear witness to the fact that American culture, with its unique issues, is only one of a seemingly countless number of cultures on this planet. I can only hope to experience more cultures in my future. Because my brothers who went on this trip also left their comfortable homes in favor of this unbelievable experience, I can say that I have gained much respect for them. But also, I can say that, after constant interaction with one another over this week, I know them so much better than I did before the trip. We undoubtedly bolstered the elevated friendship that we learned about when we joined a fraternity.

Church is a big deal in the Dominican Republic. This is not only due to the fact that the people there are very pious (which they are), but also because they are very community-oriented. In a society without the technology or privacy that oftentimes secludes families from neighbors, the people in Don Juan pass the time by opening their doors and engaging in conversation, thus truly getting to know others in their community. So, for them, Church is a place to not only worship but is also a place to be with their friends in the community. Needless to say, many people go to Church. When we went to Sunday Church in Don Juan, we were shocked by the volume of people listening to the service from outside in addition to the amount in the packed building. Amidst our attempts to take-in our surroundings and understand the priest’s passionate lecture, we were told by Alycia – the local Peace Corps worker – that we had to go to the front of the church. Facing the congregation while a nun briefly discussed our work, we recognized a lot of faces in the crowd: people we helped, neighbors of those whom we helped, and people we simply interacted with or said ‘hola’ to. When the nun stopped speaking, their faces lit-up as they gave us a warm round of applause. For the brothers and I, this meant a great deal to us. Because the people there could not speak English, that was probably the most direct way that the community could have said ‘thank you.’ From that simple act of appreciation, we got the impression that the community truly valued our presence there and the work we did. That picture-in-my-head will forever be synonymous with the impact that we had on the lives of those whom we served. And, in convincing brothers to go to Don Juan in the future, I will do my best to describe this moment to prove how important the work we do there really is.

Vincent:

Our service trip to the Dominican Republic proved memorable in many ways and experiences. One thing that stood out in particular to me was how excited the kids were to see us. Just being there for the kids, even though I was unable to actually communicate with these kids, was a great experience. They were ecstatic to involve us in all of their activities and games. Important to note is that most of the children's fathers have left when the children were young, so it was amazing for us to be there as role models for the children. The most memorable of my interactions with the kids was when I was walking to begin the workday, one of the kids I haven't seen before ran up to me and held my hand. Even with my rusty Spanish, I was able to connect with this child and he ended up hanging out with us the whole day.

This trip proved as a great bonding experience with my brothers. Interacting with them in an academic environment is one thing, but when we pull together to achieve a common goal in a foreign environment, it really proved as an intense bonding experience. I got to know my brothers on a much deeper level as we shared this experience. It was also nice to see how well we were able to organize as a team, and effectively accomplish our objectives.

From the moment we arrived at the village, we were greeted with great hospitality and appreciation. We did not even begin our service work, but they were appreciative that an outside group was visiting them. When we began painting houses and we saw the faces of the owners after we were done, we could tell that the work we had done will stick with the families throughout their lives. The owners could now take pride in their houses, instead of being ashamed to dub their house as the "unpainted house on the corner." Every year we will continue to make this trip, and the villagers truly look forward to that. The thought that our fraternity can make an impact a large group of people in such a way is truly amazing.

Greg McKay:

The most memorable part of the trip happened on our last night. Tim and I decided that we would give some of our left over Dominican Pesos to our host mother. In my broken Spanish, we explained to Rosangela that we were very grateful for her hospitality, and we wanted to help her and her kids as much as possible. We gave her 1000 Pesos (the equivalent of a approximately $25) and a hug, and she burst into tears. To me it was a powerful moment. To us we had given her a relatively small amount of money, but to her it meant so much. She explained to us how hard it was to be a single mother of two, and how she really appreciated having good male role models in her home, even if it were for only one week.

As the only Junior on the trip, I had not spent a ton of time with the other brothers on the trip. Though we were only together for a week, we quickly became great friends. We shared personal stories and had the deepest of philosophical debates, as if we had been best friends for years. By the end of the week, I gained a tremendous amount of respect for the brothers on the trip, and I felt that I had almost another mini pledge class.

At the beginning of the trip, I felt that painting houses served only for aesthetic purposes, and I thought we should be building more necessary utilities such as latrines. There were a couple of things that showed me I was wrong. From a physical standpoint, we learned that painting the brittle wood that comprised their homes serves to seal the wood and protect it to last longer. So, our service was definitely helpful in that it will help their homes stay standing through harsh weather longer. Also, in our trip we painted a mural of the world on the side of their school. An alarming number of kids there were under the impression that the entire United States consisted only of New York, and that the Dominican Republic was larger than ‘New York’. Our mural was a source of enlightenment for the community, and we were glad to help spread education. Besides the painting we did, we were told just our presence in the community made a difference. In the village of El’Elmo, we did no painting, but showed up one day to offer clothing, candy, and play a game of baseball. Though it is kind of hard for me to understand, and I wish we had done more for them, we were told that our presence in the town and the simple acknowledgement of their existence meant a lot to them. Another example of our presence making a difference was the story I previously told of having positive male role models for the children to look up to. It is difficult for me to know exactly how our presence made a difference, but I know we did good in the world for a week, and we are all better for it.

David Abplanalp:

1).

My favorite experience while serving in the Dominican was the opportunity to play with the young children and see how happy they are to have visitors come and just interact with them. Also the opportunity to live with a local family and experience how they live was a very eye opening experience and forced me to think about how much I take for granted.

2).

This trip really forced me to reevaluate how I manage my time and what kind of everyday luxuries I take for grated. I realized that I live a very privileged life to be able to go and take a hot shower or microwave a hot meal whenever I want. Going on this trip has helped me to realize what parts of life are truly important and hold meaning.

3).

I think that the biggest impact out trip had was to show the families we assisted that there are people out there that care about the well being of those less fortunate and are willing to help improve this situation in any way they can. One of the best parts of the trip for me was seeing all of the young children's faces light up whenever we played with them. Thus I feel that although the service provided helped to improve the standard of living, the fact that we were down their and interacting with them provided a more profound societal service and was a very large part of the impact we had.

2011-11-10T19:01:00.003-05:00

“So if I asked you about art, you'd probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him. Life's work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientations, the whole works, right? But I'll bet you can't tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. You've never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling; seen that... And I'd ask you about war, you'd probably throw Shakespeare at me, right, ‘once more unto the breach dear friends.’ But you've never been near one. You've never held your best friend's head in your lap, watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help.”

The above quote, taken from my favorite scene of the movie, Good Will Hunting, has a simple message. That message is that there is a fundamental difference between learning about something…talking about something, and actually experiencing something. Sure, I watched the news and saw that homelessness and poverty housing, amidst the housing crisis, were prominent issues in America. But, until I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and helped cleanout and build-up deserted houses, those problems weren’t real to me. Those problems weren’t real to me until I met the delighted neighbors or, especially, the elated family whose days of not being able to find affordable housing had ended. In other words, until I am able to truly experience something – feel the onset emotions and see something with my own eyes – I know I will never fully comprehend that thing. In order to understand the world around me and what real-world problems are, therefore, I must be able to experience.

I’ve never been outside of the United States or Canada. While some may argue that wealth inequity are huge problems in these countries, it can be taken for granted that those at the bottom end of wealth inequity in a developing country, like the Dominican Republic, are far worse off than those here. It can also be assumed that the education available in a developing country is obviously not what it is here. I’m telling you this, however, based on what I’ve read online. Consequently, when I was given the opportunity to take a trip to the Dominican Republic to truly experience these problems and do something about them, I knew I had to take it. I knew that by teaching English and building latrines the problems of limited educational resources and inadequate plumbing would become real to me and that I would have a chance to combat them. I also knew I had to take this opportunity to be exposed to a different culture and lifestyle. So here I am, waiting anxiously to do something more than learning or talking: I am waiting to experience.

-Tim Felong

2011-11-09T21:17:00.002-05:00

Throughout high school, I have always had the yearning to embark on a community service trip. When this opportunity presented itself to me, I was at first hesitant to accept to traveling all the way to the Dominican Republic. However, I soon came to realize that every mile we travel, will make it that much more rewarding. The thought of helping build a community that is in the process of development, seemed greatly rewarding. It is one thing to contribute momentarily to a community in need, but this trip offers an opportunity to long lasting changes and improvements to the community. Such an opportunity, I could not pass up.

Realizing that we would make a significant, long-lasting impact on the community is a great incentive to go on such a trip. However, it is not that simple. Traveling over to a foreign country means that we will encounter not only a new way of life, but also the local hardships. There will likely be no running water, beds, or any other amenities that we consider necessities for any given home. Roughing it out will be a challenge, but the benefits that we could offer this community greatly outweigh whatever hardships we will have to adjust to.

After coming across this trip, making the decision to go seemed like an easy decision. However, the planning and preparations of this trip, will prove a difficult. We will have to undergo multiple vaccines, prepare the supplies for the trip, and purchase the plane tickets. This is one challenge we can not overcome by ourselves; this is why we are asking for your help. All contributions will be greatly appreciated by us, and the community we are serving. Without you, this would not be possible.

-Vincent Alleluia

2011-11-08T21:35:00.001-05:00

Hi, my name is David Abplanalp and I'm a sophomore biomedical engineering major at the University of Rochester, and also a member of the Gamma Pi chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity. I'm very interested in going on this trip because I view it as an opportunity for me to help those less fortunate than myself, and to learn about the cultures and customs of the people in another country. We will be building outhouses and tutoring children in an effort to assist the people in this underdeveloped country lead successful and fulfilling lives. I hope you will assist me in reaching our monetary goal so that we are able to go on this mission.

Sincerely,

David E. Abplanalp

Thoughts from Jonathan Fricke

2011-11-08T20:35:00.003-05:00

The service trip to the Dominican Republic is an amazing opportunity for brothers to travel to a developing community in order to make a sizable and meaningful contribution to others. Our plan is to build latrines for the community and to setup a tutoring program to teach English to the children in the village. These projects may not come across as "flashy," but they will have a significant impact on the community.

My decision to go on this trip was actually a rather easy decision for me. I have been to other countries in the caribbean, including Belize, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, but have not first-hand experienced the living conditions of the local people. Traveling has always been an interest of mine but I think that you cannot fully experience another country until you have seen all of it, both the parts meant for tourists and the parts almost entirely comprised of locals. I realized that I would miss out on spending time with friends and family from home, but the experiences I will have on this trip will be we priceless. The organization of events like this, to go out into the world and help others, makes me proud to be a Sig. I hope we can raise enough money to go on this trip!

-Jonathan Fricke

2011-11-07T19:53:00.001-05:00

Why go to the Dominican Republic?

The Sigma Chi service trip to the Dominican Republic is great opportunity to make a difference in an underdeveloped country, and gain a new perspective on a region of the world we may not have thought twice about before. Our current plan is to work on a tutoring program for the 300 young students in the village of El’Elmo, and work to build more latrines. Though the project we are pursuing may not seem thrilling, in a village where the students can go to school only three hours a day, and do not have enough places to go to the bathroom, our work will make a significant difference.

Our first challenge is reaching our fundraising goal of $10,000 in order to pay for the costs of our project and our airfare. We are each committing around $350 of our personal funds, and are hoping that our friends, family, and alumni will step up and help us with the rest. Our next step will be buying our airfare, getting immunizations, and plunging into a culture none of us have experienced before.

My decision to go was not easily made; nerves about travelling to a new part of the world without running water and electricity, and giving up a lot of time with my friends and family over winter break are two of the biggest reasons I was hesitant. However, I recognize the importance of the work we are doing, and this is the type of work that we as Sigma Chi Brothers can be proud of. We hope that we get enough donations so we can go!

-Greg McKay

A Photo Collage of our Work

2011-02-28T11:42:00.004-05:00

Thank you from Dan Docherty

2011-02-28T11:40:00.002-05:00

"The Gamma Pi service trip to the Dominican Republic was truly eye opening for me. I learned a lot about myself, my brothers and the Dominican culture, lifestyle and country as a whole. During and after the trip, I evaluated and reevaluated my perspective on life and the world.

Although I had seen poverty in passing, I had never truly experienced it nor had I ever been immersed in it. By going to Don Juan, I was reminded to always keep those who are less fortunate in mind, and that a life of service is a life lived to its fullest. I was also reminded to always appreciate what I have. Although many of the people in the rural areas of the Dominican Republic have so little as far as financial wealth is concerned, their positive outlook and appreciation for what’s important in life, family and friends, simply beams. In short, experiencing this different perspective had an enormous effect on me.

The trip inspired in me a love of public service and experiencing new cultures. It is for these reasons that I am currently planning on applying to work for the Peace Corps in South America upon graduating from the University of Rochester. Needless to say, the trip had a profound impact on my life and I hope it continues on in the future as a staple of Gamma Pi philanthropic endeavors."

Thank you from Siyani Fullerton

2011-01-28T11:52:00.002-05:00

   As our time in the Dominican Republic has now come to and end and we return to

the states for the start of classes, I have been reflecting on everything that has happened

here and the impact it has had on my life and the lives of those who we have helped.

Coming back for the second time, it was amazing to find that the people I met last year

still vividly remembered who I was, as if I was just one of the people in town. Having

that type of connection to the people we were helping made me forget that I was even in

a foreign country, and the people were welcoming everywhere that we went. It was also

reminder of just how lucky were all are and the luxuries we have.

   The families we were building latrines for were the poorest of the poor in the

community, many who had 7-9 people living in a room equivalent in size to a standard

American living room in a middle class house. Keep in mind that for these families,

this was all they had in terms of living space, so having a building dedicated solely as

a bathroom is something of a luxury. The work was very taxing on us and there wasn’t

a day that went by when we weren’t sore and exhausted by lunchtime, only half way

through our day. Our temporary pain was worth the end result though.

   Now that you are able to see the end result of your contribution to this great

cause, we hope that you feel the same way that we do about what we have done for a

community where you are considered well off if you have running water. If more people

in the world were as generous and caring as you, imagine how much change we could

bring to the world and the people who struggle with basic necessities on a daily basis.

   Again, I would like to personally thank you for your contribution to our trip. You truly

have made an impact on so many people that will now have a better life just by having a

sanitary and stable place to use as a bathroom. The brothers of Sigma Chi and the people

of Don Juan are eternally grateful for your dedication to service.

Thank you from Michael Carson

2011-01-25T12:26:00.000-05:00

My trip to the Dominican Republic brought me to a type of place I never thought I

would live. Between the lack of running water and the wandering livestock that would

regularly cross my path (not to mention the dreadful cry of a pig being slaughtered right

outside my window each morning) I felt like I was also living in another time, one to which

a kid like myself from the comfortable East Coast of the US was unaccustomed.

To live and work for a week in such an impoverished community definitely

broadened my own perspective and made me realize the things I take for granted. We were

digging outhouses for people in the poorest part of town, where homes had dirt floors and

where garbage littered the ground almost anywhere you walked. Yet, the people didn’t

seem unhappy, and we often interacted and fooled around with the kids our age and

younger, despite the language barrier.

In this way we were able to alleviate some of the culture shock by sharing the things

we had in common. For example, we had the strongest in our group engage in a push-up

contest with one of the Dominicans our age who seemed to be the strongest that we

encountered. This same kid had built a bench out of wood and a barbell out of metal and

cement, and we each took turns showing off our strength to a gathering crowd. It was also

fun going out each night and drinking (moderately, of course) with the locals. We even

made a few friends that hold a dear place in our hearts.

I am extremely grateful for the hospitality that our host family showed us. It makes it

easier living in a strange country when they show you such universal kindness and serve

you such delicious food. Furthermore, this experience would have been impossible without

the donations from our friends, family, and brothers. We are indebted to them for their

support, and we are thankful for the great experience they allowed us to have.

Thank you From Donato Borello

2011-01-25T09:43:00.001-05:00

I can't imagine anyone not wanting to go on this trip.

My favorite memory will probably be when I was swordfighting a kid in his backyard, using two sticks shaved clean with a machete. Another kid brings over a ball and mimes to us "baseball." A few minutes later the kids from the neighboring 3-4 houses were all running around setting up bases, homeplate was a piece of cardboard and third base was a crumpled water bottle. Boys and girls who ranged from around 6 to 13 took turns smacking a broken dented whiffle ball with a stick, and having a ton of fun doing it.

The work wasn't too bad, the first few days were the worst, we were digging the holes for the latrines. Two holes in particular gave us trouble, nicknamed "the quarry" because we were chipping away at rock for 4 feet of it, and "the claypit" which was slow hard work. The people of Don Juan would always help with the work, whether they were jumping in the pit to dig, or chopping open a coconut for us to drink from (the coffee was great too). The culture I experienced there was one of optimism in the face of poverty and daily disappointments. Thank you for the opportunity to learn from them!

-Donato

Thoughts from David Levy

2011-01-25T09:36:00.002-05:00

Donors,

Because of your generous support, I was able to return to the Dominican Republic. As in last year, it provided an invaluable life experience for me in understanding poverty, as well as reminding me of how blessed I am in the US. For me, the best experiences were interacting with the local kids. Many of them are abused, beat, neglected, or do not go to school. They were thrilled to be around us, and showed us their enthusiasm by helping us with our work. The kids worked as hard as us, and did so in ripped t-shirts and bare feet.

Living without electricity, running water, or internet would seem like abhorrent conditions to us, though the Dominicans take it in stride. They have TV's, and they know how Americans live. Yet, they do not despair at their lamentable condition. They are the hardest workers I have met, and are eager to prove their value. Through no fault of their own, their government is corrupted and there are almost no jobs to be had in the town we stayed in. This is obviously extremely depressing, and it leads many into the temptations of alcoholism.

While building some latrines may seem like a small act, it provides the families a measure of hygiene, and means they no longer go squat in the woods. Whether it will make a true difference, I do not know. But I do know that they truly appreciate our hard work, which could only have been accomplished through your donations. I do not plan to return again next year, as I would like to allow younger members of the Fraternity to experience the developing world. I hope you will continue to support our efforts in the Dominican.

Very Sincerely,

David Levy

Reflection from Aasheesh Paliwal

2011-01-25T09:35:00.002-05:00

This winter my brothers and I embarked on a trip to the Dominican Republic to build Latrines for impoverished families in the small village of Don Juan. To say that it was a life-changing endeavor for the families we helped would be a big understatement; to say that it was life-changing in another way for each one of us, and even bigger one. Aside from the tangible personal satisfaction that each one of us garnered from physically building these latrines one shovel swing or mortar paste at a time, the experience of immersing ourselves into such a different culture and connecting with the people of that culture was what I found to be the most valuable and impactful encounter of all.

Going straight from the privileged lives in which we live to a third world country where the stable consistencies of daily food and running water are question marks rather than givens for the average family was truly an eye-opening experience. That fact that these people, who often belong to households that earn the equivalent of $2 per day, are so happy with what they have and so accepting of foreigners who are obviously immensely more privileged than they are, really gave me some perspective on what to be thankful for. I learned through personal experience what is very easy to read in a book or preach to others: that the value found in aesthetic pleasures and luxuries cannot compare with that of strong family, friends, and appreciation for simply being alive everyday; the people of Don Juan showed me this firsthand, and its effect on me was profound.

I can name a laundry list of “culture shock” experiences: taking bucket showers, witnessing a live cock fight, going to a Dominican discotech and laughably dancing the meringue, bachata, and reggaeton with the immensely more coordinated locals, and eating fresh, home-cooked fried plantains made by my host mother. All of these experiences opened up my eyes to the cultural magnificence of Don Juan; its beauty is in its simplicity. The residents of the village are so happy with so little, and seeing it firsthand really puts my life, spanning from my problems to my belongings to what truly makes me happy, in perspective. All in all, this was an incredibly powerful trip from a personal standpoint, and I encourage all who can to join myself and my brothers on it again next year.

Reflection and Thank You from Peter Dierkes

2011-01-25T09:34:00.002-05:00

My trip the Dominican was an experience on several levels. The abject, relative poverty is shocking.
Families live in small, poorly constructed shacks; often without running water, a stove, or any sort of
bathroom. Children run shoeless and unattended. Animals rummage among the strewn trash, looking
for food. The conditions for an American seem completely obscene and unthinkable.

However the people are happy. Children laugh, and entertain themselves in this simplest of ways. In
America a child requires the latest, most advanced electronic gaming systems to entertain themselves.
In the Dominican children use a cracked and worn plastic ball – bouncing it against a tree and
chasing it in pure joy. In American adults obsess about achieving their next goal on an endless list of
increasingly prestigious goals. In the Dominican, grown men sit on a log and play dominoes, enjoying
life and each other.

In the end, the most valuable lesson I learned was not an appreciation for what I own. Granted, I
do have a greater appreciation for my comparably vast possession, and my comparably wealthy and
privileged life. However the greatest lesson learned was an increased understanding that happiness has
little or nothing to do with possessions, and everything to do with your appreciation for what you truly
have – family, friends, and maybe even a cracked plastic ball and some dominoes.

Thoughts

2010-12-23T14:44:00.001-05:00

My name is Daniel Docherty and I am a brother at the University of Rochester Gammi Pi Chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity. This winter I will be participating in the Sigma Chi service trip to the Dominican Republic. Having traveled in the past, but never experiencing real poverty first hand, I'm excited to obtain a better understanding of the world and what needs to be done to improve it. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to accompany my brothers in undertaking such a noble cause, and I feel as though we will be making a tremendous impact on the lives of the people in L'Elmo. Unfortunately, not everyone is as fortunate and capable as living as comfortably as much of America does, and I feel as though by pursuing this type of philanthropy we will be promoting good will and the spirit of charity within our brotherhood and the community.

In Hoc,

Daniel Docherty

Thoughts from Aasheesh Paliwal

2010-12-21T17:37:00.004-05:00

As a college junior and Sigma Chi brother at the Gamma Pi Chapter of the University of Rochester, I have found that my fraternity has given me a myriad of opportunities to help both myself and others; whether it is volunterring at a soup kitchen, tabling for a charity event, or throwing a philanthropic spaghetti dinner, our fraternity always seems to have helping others and promoting a truer sense of justice in the world at the forefront of our ideals. That being said, very rarely do any of us get to actually put ourselves in firsthand situations where we can truly help others in person, and that is exactly what I think our service trip to the Dominican Republic this winter will provide. Thus, I am very excited about the prospect of actually placing myself in a situation that clearly needs my help, and doing so with my fraternity brothers will only make this experience more special. Thanks to all who have supported this trip financially and logistically; together we can all make a difference.

-- Aasheesh Paliwal

Thoughts from Father Brian Cool

2010-12-21T17:37:00.002-05:00

It is hard to imagine but just two months ago the brother’s decided to put together this trip. It has been another world wind pulling it off with fundraising, organizational meetings and securing travel arrangements. Unfortunately the flights are costing us an additionally $600 which we did not expect…all this because JetBlue changed their schedule from last year and we needed to get everyone back to Rochester by the first day of classes. The brother’s have all paid their deposits, gotten their shots and a safety course, gone over the basics of the trip and taken their exams! I am still trying to get them to help raise the last of the needed funds for the second half of the materials and supplies. Apparently, supplies are now very expensive because of the rebuilding on the other side of the island (Haiti)…supply and demand! I am certain everything will come together and we will have another great trip. I can’t wait to see the brother’s discuss how life is completely different just some 90 miles from the shores of the United States. As I have traveled the world and see much poverty, I can tell you the conditions in the Dominican Republic are as bad as anywhere I have ever gone. The simple fact we are building outhouses tells us exactly the primitive conditions we will live and work under. I am very grateful for everyone’s generosity. It certainly speaks to the support for this project but more so about the need to be one human family.

Peace, Fr. Cool

Getting Excited

2010-12-17T08:45:00.000-05:00

Our flights have been purchased and we are currently in the process of several important steps, namely:
   -Immunizations and drugs (Anti-Malaria and Traveller's Diarrhea)
   -Setting up homestays in the Dominican Republic
   -Getting supplies like DEET bug-spray, mosquito nets, work gloves, etc.

We are very close to our fundraising goals and are confident that we will raise enough money to build our latrines. Both those of us who have and have not been to the Dominican are getting excited for the impending trip, and we look forward to giving you more updates as well as accounts of the work we do.

Thank you again.

Why I am returning to the Dominican Republic for a second year By Siyani Fullerton

2010-12-07T12:39:00.001-05:00

This will be my second year in a row heading down to the Dominican Republic for our service trip. Many people have asked me why I am going again when I could be relaxing at home over break, sleeping in and playing video games. To that I simply respond, this is what I would rather spend my time doing. Life experiences such as this help you to mature as an individual and understand what is truly important in life, and it was not until I went to the Dominican Republic that I finally understood the magnitude of my blessings in life and how lucky I am.

Constructing a building basically from scratch for one of the poorest communities in an already poor country opened my eyes to a world we all overlook. The work we did was taxing and required us to put in long hours in the heat and humidity of the Caribbean, but looking back all that didn’t matter because what got us through it was knowing that what we were doing was unheard of for these people and will still be in use long after many of us have left this world. The feeling I got when the young children were laughing and smiling and wanted to help by picking up the branches and rocks in the construction site, because they were going to finally have a safe place to play makes any pain I felt from the work seem non-existent. To them, this was a big deal and a luxury for the community that, without our doing would never come to fruition. Amazing how a project that we would simply hire a contractor to do in a weekend could mean so much to so many people.

So when people ask me if it was worth it, I most certainly say yes. I choose to give up my time to see old friends and unwind from the semester because the impact those people made on my life. In a way, I feel like I have known these people all my life. They took me into their homes and gave me shelter, food and welcomed me into their community like family. I get excited just thinking about seeing my host family again and sitting on the porch with their bird “Cucka”. I can still remember the feeling of the dirt sticking to my skin as I ran around the baseball field with the school children and joking around while listening to music at the barbershop, all things that I do here at home. I truly feel as if we became more than just a group of Americans to the people of L’Elmo, we became family, and there is not a better way I can think to spend my break then to go see my second family.

Why go back?

2010-12-06T16:47:00.002-05:00

I am going back to the Dominican. The reason is relatively simple. Living in the developed world makes me take my life for granted, and assume that the rest of humanity enjoys many of the luxuries that I do; food, water, a bed, etc. The reality is far different. Two billion people live below the UN standard of absolute poverty ($1/per day). I've studied in Europe, I've experience many different cultures - but poverty does the same things everywhere: crime, domestic violence, broken families, starvation, despair.
There is something visceral, some deep experience, that is gained from being transplanted from your comfort zone and dropped into an environment where everything is different. When I came back from the Dominican in the wake of the Haitian earthquake (something that's faded from the world), I felt like a different person. While I and my family regret that I have very limited time at home between coming back from Belgium, the Dominican, and going back to school, they understand that this is important to me. Digging outhouses might not seem like much, but it's far better than the alternative - digging a hole. Can you imagine doing that every day? I know I couldn't. If you haven't given any money towards this endeavor, please consider it.
Thank you.

-David Levy

DONATO BORRELLO TALKS ABOUT WHY HE IS GOING

2010-11-22T03:46:00.000-05:00

A service trip to the Dominican Republic is an amazing opportunity to not only help out others in desperate need, but to put the rest of my world into perspective. We are currently planning to build outhouses for 10 families, not a glamorous job, but the fact that it needs to be done says a lot about the standards of living that these people are currently living in. Raising the money for travel and building materials is the first challenge, the next is getting immunized and jumping neck deep into a foreign culture entirely different from anything I've experienced.

Deciding to go was not easy, it takes away time from my family and friends over the winter break, when time is my most precious commodity. Yet this is the kind of service that I can be proud of and will likely change my outlook. I am really looking forward to this experience, so hopefully we get enough donations!

-Donato Borrello

Micah Telegen's Thoughts

2010-02-23T17:40:00.001-05:00

My Experiences in the Dominican Republic
      Going into our trip to the Dominican Republic, I thought I knew what to expect. I spent a summer in the poverty-stricken African nation of Ghana, and had had my eyes opened. I knew how ugly the world is outside of our little bubble. I knew about sustainability and about the inevitable awkward moments that would occur. I knew about the culture shock and then reverse that accompany any trip that involves spending substantial time in the third world. And so I was amazed at how different everything was.
      One of the things that made the trip to Ghana a little more ‘sheltered’ was that my group had stayed in our own residence. There was also a significant language barrier. We were aware of the abject poverty and were exposed to the begging, but we could hide behind they “I don’t understand” barrier. This was not the case in the Dominican. While the conditions might have been a little better than in Africa, I was better able to understand their devastating effects on those who lived there because they could explain them to me.
      Lastly, I underestimated the effect that the trip would have on me. I knew that I was helping the community by raising money and pitching in with the labor. What I didn’t know was that I would get far more out of the trip than those that I helped did. Being exposed to conditions like those in the Dominican helped me to put everything in perspective. It is a lot easier to get over getting a C in a class if one understands that it could be a lot worse. Going to the Dominican Republic allowed me to help people who needed it, but it also made me a better person.

David Levy's Reaction

2010-02-11T18:18:00.000-05:00

About a month out, I sit here thinking about all the things I saw and learned about myself and the world. One of the things that really struck me was the amount of garbage these people leave. A lot of the rubbish is American. Coca Cola, chips, candy, all are reminders of the First World while in the Third.
The poverty we encountered was extreme. I remember Father Ron telling us that some people just cannot handle the poverty and fall victim to despair, losing their sanity. It is dreadfully sad that we spend billions of dollars on luxuries for ourselves when these people cannot even afford a meal of rice and beans. I am truly thankful to everyone who donated their money, especially during a recession. Without your generosity and good faith, our trip would have been impossible.
With regards to the building of a church labeled as a community center, the two truly are intertwined. In L'Elmo, the people who don't have work don't do much but sit at each other's houses and play dominos. Religion is crucial for these people because it is the only thing in their worlds that gives them hope. The belief of salvation after death eases the pain of their poverty. Hopefully communal activities via the chapel will help them make progress in their lives.
Thank you again to everyone, its value is immaterial.

I also want again to direct you to our website with pictures. There you can see exactly where your donation went.

Humbly,
David Levy

Peter Zhang's Reaction

2010-02-04T16:28:00.001-05:00

We read about poverty in the newspapers, see its effects through television and movies. However, to truly understand poverty, one must live among the impoverished. This service trip to the Dominican Republic provided us with precisely this opportunity. We have lived among the poor, saw their culture and witnessed their adversity.

This trip undoubtedly helped us appreciate our own lives significantly more. It truly made me see just how blessed we are. Although these people led tremendously hard lives, they are some of the happiest people I have ever witnessed. This truly made me realize that happiness involves much less than what we expect in this society.

I hope that we can take what we learned from this experience and develop ourselves in ways that would best serve the interest of this world. This trip demonstrated that help is always needed, regardless of the caliber. I feel that it is important for the capable to aid the less fortunate whenever opportunity arises.

Jeffery Anderson's Thanks

2010-02-03T13:06:00.001-05:00

I was fairly apprehensive upon arriving in the Dominican Republic on the afternoon of January 2^nd. After all, it was my first time visiting a country that embraced a culture that differed significantly from that of the United States. Despite the piles of trash on the sides of the roads and the reckless and unorganized driving, center-city Santo Domingo (for the most part) resembled the modern and westernized cities I have already visited in the United States. However, as we exited the city on our way to Don Juan, the small town in which we were going to stay, the scenery began to rapidly change. Looking out from the windows of the van, I saw for the first time in my life what third-world poverty actually consisted of: houses (if one could even call them that) that looked like they would be blown over in a stiff breeze, fires on the side of the street for burning trash (for there was no waste service, or trash cans for that matter), and, most prominently, individuals who looked as though they had not eaten a healthy meal in days. Little did I know at this point that seeing these things would appear second nature to me less than ten days later.
      Our arrival in Don Juan was one to be remembered. After a long day of traveling and a two hour trip northwest of Santo Domingo, we had arrived in the small town in which we would be staying for the week. Almost immediately upon arrival and without very little instruction, we were dropped off at different houses throughout the community. My house consisted of a large two-room wooden building with cracks in the wall (I could literally see my family’s chickens outside from the main room). There was no discernable privacy whatsoever, and my family spoke absolutely no English. What I had thought of only ten hours earlier as my primitive Spanish language skills had now become a valuable life-line that I would need to utilize for the next week. While this first night’s stay might have seemed a little scary at the time, I can honestly say that it was an absolutely wonderful experience. My primitive Spanish skills actually proved incredibly useful as I was able to learn from my family a great deal about the Dominican culture while at the same time personally experiencing the living conditions in a small third-world town.
      Every day, at approximately 8:00 in the morning, all of the Americans (my Sigma Chi brothers) would walk from their houses to our “central location,” Father Ron’s residence. From there, we would spend the next 30 minutes traveling through the Dominican countryside to the town of L’Elmo, the site of our project. Over the course of the week, we performed a great deal of manual labor and were able finish the walls of the newest church in the Dominican Republic. Our tasks included digging a foundation, mixing and laying cement, cutting rebar, carrying and laying cement blocks, and leveling the inside of the church. After each day of intensive labor, we would climb into the pick-up truck and travel back to Don Juan for a relaxing evening.
      Although this account to this point has not encompassed even close to everything I have to say about the trip, it is all that I have written to this point. Throughout this last semester of my college career, I will be adding a significant amount of material to this brief overview of my Dominican experience. In doing so, I will be personally reflecting not only the state of this third-world country, but also on how this experience has changed my life for the better. As I begin to pursue a career in medicine next year, I have begun to think about the many ways in which I can contribute to assuaging the conditions in third world communities similar to Don Juan and L’Elmo. Although I will continue to consider my options as a physician, I am confident that a significant portion of my career will be dedicated to international medicine. Why? As a Catholic who is called to serve the poor communities of the world, what kind of person would I be if I spent the rest of my life pretending that this kind of suffering did not exist? Although I know I cannot solve the problem of world poverty or world hunger, I know that with my particular skill set, I will be able to help alleviate the situation by giving individuals in the third-world a chance to live the life that I have been so lucky to live.
Thank you again to everyone who helped make this trip possible, especially to our financiers without whom such a journey would never have been possible!

Adam Harris' Reaction

2010-02-02T17:00:00.000-05:00

"An awesome experience for my first time out of the US..."

When I was growing up, I never really traveled the world like many of my friends have -- but I've always wanted to. I've also always wanted to be a part of some kind of volunteering/service trip where help is given to people who really need it. This trip to the Dominican Republic accomplished both of those things and so much more.

Seeing the poverty that they must endure every single day was absolutely heartbreaking to me. Of course I've seen pictures just like everybody else, but I feel it really doesn't hit you until you're actually there and experiencing it yourself. I couldn't be happier after meeting all the great people there and seeing the smiles that were on the little kids faces. It really made the experience even more valuable to me.

After returning home, I really feel like I have a new perspective on life and I will continue to help those people of the world who really need it as much as I can. Obviously, we can't do it all at once -- but if we all can do something no matter how small, hopefully we really can make a difference to those who need it. For anyone out there who feels like they want to do something like this, please do -- not only well you be helping others live a better life, but also for yourself by doing something good for the world.

Once again, thank you to all the people who donated and made this trip a reality... it couldn't of been done without you!

Pictures

2010-01-22T11:13:00.002-05:00

We have uploaded a few hundred pictures of our trip to photobucket, where you can view them at your convenience.

Trip Photos

We are going to have additional entries soon.

Return

2010-01-14T09:55:00.000-05:00

We have returned safely and successfully from our trip. Our flight out of Santo Domingo beat the Haitian earthquake by about 20 minutes. Pictures will be posted soon as well as a more detailed recap. The building is nearly complete, and we are thankful to all our donors for their invaluable aid. On a different note, please consider donating to relief efforts in Haiti, whose capital has been nearly demolished. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and the community of L'Elmo is more fortunate than many places in Haiti. You can donate through the American Red Cross or other established charities.
Thank you again.

Father Cool's Thoughs

2009-12-30T08:51:00.001-05:00

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

2009-12-29T11:36:00.000-05:00

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!

2009-12-10T15:20:00.002-05:00

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

2009-12-02T00:36:00.003-05:00

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?

2009-12-01T17:31:00.006-05:00

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

Excitement and Nerves

2009-11-21T11:27:00.003-05:00

Hey guys,
Sitting at the raffle table right now. Getting ready for a day of selling tickets and talking up the trip. We have some really great prizes from all over the Rochester community. When going out and asking for these prizes, it was nice to see an outpouring of generosity, especially considering the fact that nearly every place we asked is already giving to other organizations.

Much like the businesses in rochester, everyone involved in this project has plenty of other things going on in their life. The brothers of old, and the family and friends of those attending have been an immense help. Without them we would never have been able to do this. I cannot begin to express how grateful we are for their gifts.

I, too, have projects and events of my own. I am completing a double major in Economics and Psychology. My focus has been primarily on psychology for several years now. I currently do research in the med center on suicide prevention and documentation. My mentor and myself hope to implement a training that helps clinician assess suicide risk, and ultimately help the patients they serve. For me, helping others has not always been in my nature, but it is certainly something I strive for.

I have lofty ideals and I have been an active member of Sigma Chi since my initiation, with positions including assistent magister (assistant pledge master) and pro consul (vice president). I felt compelled to spread our lofty ideals when Father Cool brought up the idea of this trip.

I am amazed how far we have gotten in such a short time; I can't believe this plan is actually coming to fruition. I am excited for what is to come.

In Hoc

Frequently Asked Questions

2009-11-10T20:47:00.003-05:00

1. How safe is the area we’re going to be?
L'Elmo is a small town of 4000 people. Americans are always most welcomed by the people here. Our safety will not be an issue in the town. The capital of Santo Domingo, enriched by the drug trade, is not safe.

2. What immunizations do we need?
We will need to be vaccinated for Tetanus and Typhoid Fever. Malaria is not present in the region.

3. Where exactly will we be staying during our visit?
We will be staying in local houses, with Dominican families.

4. Exactly where is this town located?
Near the larger community of Monte Plata. The town is called Don Juan, northwest of Santo Domingo

5. What will we be eating?
The local diet: their main meal is rice, beans, and chicken, supplemented with fruits and vegetables.

6. How are we going to get safe water?
Drinking water will be bought and the cost of it will be figured in the expenses of the trip.

7. How will we go about constructing the building?
Local builders have been hired to guide us in our construction of the building. All our materials will be bought locally and shipped out.

8. Is this the first trip of its kind in the community?
No, Father Gaesser has been bringing groups down for the last several years, adults and teenagers and last May, 17 people from Cornell University came.

9. What if there is an accident and we get hurt?
The private medical system here is very good and comparable to the United States. We will not be far from a private hospital.

Progress!

2009-11-05T18:21:00.003-05:00

So far, we have raised $3,000 of the necessary $14,000. We are continuing to get prizes for the raffle, and it looks like it's going to be a huge success. We are planning a bowling evening in a few weeks, and hope to raise more money in the future. If you would like to donate online, you can use the Newman Community Paypal, which is again, tax-deductible.

Getting there!

2009-11-03T16:23:00.001-05:00

Well we are off and running. Trying to raise some $14,000 in under three months and working with college students who have a demanding schedule is very challenging indeed.

Last night seven gathered to stuff, seal and mail 1,000 appeal letters! Wow! We hope we have some right addresses!

Right now people have been very generous. We have raised about $2,000 in just over a week. A long way to go but we are off on the right foot. Gifts range from $50 to $500!

Each student was asked to contribute the names and addresses of 10 people they know who might contribute. I sat down and did the same. It is humbling to ask for money from others. Yet, the more I thought of it, the more I was literally excited to include them in a worthwhile cause. Think about it...how often do we have the direct opportunity to transform someone's life by a donation which many can make without changing the way we ourselves live?

I am grateful and excited for this trip and I can see it already changing our students!

The plan

2009-10-31T12:52:00.000-04:00

We are still in the process of locking down exactly who is planning on coming, but right now it looks to be between 10-12 guys, plus Father Cool, the faculty adviser. Our primary task right now is fundraising, as we need to start booking airline tickets before the prices jump up. Then we can start buying materials for the new building, which will be cinderblock, with either a concrete or tin roof.

This is the present chapel L'Elmo, which serves the community of 10,000.

This is the site that we will build the new chapel. It was donated to the parish by villagers.

Some of the local children in the present building. These are the people whom we are really trying to help.

The interior of their chapel.