Thoughts & Feelings

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope accomplish with your participation on this trip?

In this trip I hope to assist (as a brother of Sigma Chi) the community we will be visiting to my best abilities. I hope to accomplish the goal we have set forth and would like to contribute as much as I can. I am not looking to only gain from this trip, but to give back. I am looking to grow with my brotherhood and share the idea of giving service to others because I think it's an important thing to practice. I am looking to accomplish an experience I have not yet done.  As a person coming from an isolated island not knowing the world around him, going to the DR as my first out of the country trip would mean a great deal (besides sailing). The fact that I'm not going for vacation, but to do service onto others really hits what I believe in, what I've been doing and would like to always continue to do. 

Why is it important for Sigma Chi (and Gamma Pi) to sponsor this activity?

Fraternities aren't all about partying, drugs and alcohol. I feel that's one of fraternities biggest stereotypical view the world has on fraternities. It is very crucial for us to do this trip because we can take this opportunity to show people that we care about who we are and what people see Sigma Chi Fraternity as. This trip is not purely for the image of Sigma Chi, but also to do as I mentioned above-- provide service to those in need of service. This trip will expose our brothers to the world around us and allow us to grow as individuals, but as well as an organized group. If we don't do it, who will take the initiative to do so?  

In your personal experiences what has prepared you for this trip (previous service events, fundraising, foreign travel, brotherhood initiatives, speak Spanish)

I am a man of great character, but also a man of hard-work. I am not where I am today because of luck, I worked my ass off to be where I am today. Am I prepared for this trip? I can honestly answer this question with a firm YES! I have done community service for quite a long time now e.g.: repainting bus stops, rebuilding houses, yard work, beach clean-ups, homeless feeding, and many more. I am currently apart of an organization that travels the world on a double-hauled canoe using nothing but man-power, knowledge, and will. It's a very difficult thing to accomplish traveling the waters for weeks, both challenging your physical and mental abilities. I am a man who cares for others and will put other's priorities in front of my own. I am prepared to work hard and bring joy into the community we are going to. 

Isaiah Pule '18

Thoughts & Feelings

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope to accomplish with your participation on this trip?

By going on this trip I hope to strengthening the sence of brotherhood and by bond with my brothers. Also, I would like to get a taste of the joy of helping out fellow human beings and gain insight into the Dominican culture and way of thinking .

Why is it important for Sigma Chi(and Gamma Pi) to sponsor this activity?

The service trip to the DR has many direct and indirect benefits to out chapter and Sigma Chi as a whole. This unique experience allows our own brothers to gain perspective on what is live in a third world county and what challenges are faced there compared to the states. It also gives them a taste of the joy of helping other human beings. 

In your personal experience what has prepared you for this trip?

I went on the previous service trip to the DR with Engineers Without Borders (EWB). I have also done philanthropy work in Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and the United States. I have fundraising experience with EWB and personal projects. I am the co-founder of the Syrian Rehabilitation Center in Lebanon. 

Ibrahim Mohammad '17

Thoughts & Feelings

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope accomplish with your participation on this trip?

I am looking forward to building on the friendships and work established last year.

Why is it important for Sigma Chi (and Gamma Pi) to sponsor this activity?

It is important to give back to these in terrible need, seeing as that many of us have never had to live without basic needs as any as the individuals we serve have and continue to live without. 

In your personal experiences what has prepared you for this trip (previous service events, fundraising, foreign travel, brotherhood initiatives, speak Spanish)?

I have participated in several similar volunteer endeavors and have previously attended this trip.

Justin Brennen '17

Thoughts & Feelings

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope to accomplish with your participation on this trip?

While the primary goal of this trip is to dig latrines, which will hopefully benefit the community we serve, I hope to connect with the people of the Dominican Republic. I wish to try and understand the experience of what it is to live as a Discriminated and marginalized citizen. This will hopefully allow me to come to understand the injustice of the world. This understanding will hopefully allow me to think and conduct myself in the future in ways that will lead to justice. 

Why is it important for Sigma Chi(and Gamma Pi) to sponsor this activity?

We live in a very isolated community and by visiting and living in this distant and very different culture will expand our understanding the human experience and the world as a whole. It is important as to develop a more realistic view of the world and bring this view back to our chapter as to both spread awareness as hopefully build character.

In your personal experience what has prepared you for this trip?

I have participated in similar service trips to Latin America and local service trips. 

Pellegrino Conte '18

Thoughts & Feelings

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope to accomplish with your participation on this trip?

I hope that the service that we do will allow other people to live a better life. Additionally, I think that this is a great time to become even closer with some of my brothers. 

Why is it important for Sigma Chi(and Gamma Pi) to sponsor this activity?

It is important for Sigma Chi and the gamma Pi chapter to sponsor this activity because we need to show how we care about world problems, not just ourselves. It is also important because it gives brothers an incredible learning experience for all of the brothers that participate. 

In your personal experience what has prepared you for this trip?

I will be prepared for this trip because I have a lot of experience going to foreign countries.  Also , I participated in service events in high school and I speak Spanish. 

Andreas Georgiadis  '18

Thoughts & Feelings

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope to accomplish with your participation on this trip?

I hope to gain perspective on how people in poorer countries live. The perspective I gain , i heel, will inspire me to help others who are less fortunate than me. 

Why is it important for Sigma Chi(and Gamma Pi) to sponsor this activity?

It is important for Sigma Chi and Gamma PI to sponsor this activity because it gives young people the opportunity to serve others and humbly reminds them of how fortunate they are to be able to go to college and be a part of a great organization as well. 

In your personal experience what has prepared you for this trip?

I have volunteered many times throughout my life and have been to the Caribbean multiple times before. I feel as though many people do not understand what life is like for the natives of these islands and how poor these people can be. Furthermore, I speak Spanish, which will help in communication. I also have lead other Sigma Chi philanthropy events such as the annual pasta dinner. 

Ryan Bowen '18

Thoughts & Feelings

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope to accomplish with your participation on this trip?

All my life i have been very involved with charity in the third world. I have worked in my home country of Venezuela, in Cuba, Ecuador, Peru, Botswana, and South Africa. I have learned so much from each experience and hope to use this trip to continue my journey of cultural learning and giving to those in need. I believe that this trip will give me a different perspective on the world and help me grow as an individual.

Why is it important for Sigma Chi(and Gamma Pi) to sponsor this activity?

This activity is meant to help marginalized people in the third world country where they do not receive help from anyone. Sigma Chi;s values of Friendship Justice and learning go hand in hand with this event. I believe that the Gamma Pi chapter has the ability to do meaningful work and give back to charity more than it currently does. This is a major opportunity for the brotherhood to accomplish that mission. 

In your personal experience what has prepared you for this trip?

As i have already mentioned I have done a lot of charity work throughout latin america and Africa. I have an idea of domestic situations in those places, which allows me to connect with people easier. I am also fluent in Spanish and can help as a translator if necessary. A few years ago I did a service trip to Ecuador doing similar work and helped out group out when language was a barrier. It would be an honor to go with my brothers on this awesome opportunity. 

Stefano Daza Arango '18

Thoughts & Feelings

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope to accomplish with your participation on this trip?

I hope to be part of something that will leave a positive impact on the lives of the people we are to serve. I also wish to learn about the culture of the Dominican Republic.

Why is it important for Sigma Chi(and Gamma Pi) to sponsor this activity?

It is important as this service trip embodies the standards we strive to embody. I hope this trip will remind our brothers what others may be dealing with and make our brothers more mature. I also hope that this trip will break stereotypes associated with fraternities. 

In your personal experience what has prepared you for this trip?

What prepares me is the background that i come from. Coming from a war torn country; I understand what being hopeless and need feels like. This feeling has motivated me throughout my life to work hard to prevent that from happening to others. 

Omar Soufan '17

Thoughts & Feelings

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope to accomplish with your participation?

Besides the building of the actual latrines which serve the communities for 10+ years, I hope we can help the people we serve in all the ways their setting has deprived them of. I is tragic that many people of the first world are never exposed to, or experience what it would be like to live as many people in rural parts of Dominican republic and other rustic and impoverished areas do.  I owe it to inspire hope and joy to the less fortunate. 

Why is it important for Sigma Chi to sponsor this activity?

It is important for Sigma Chi to sponsor this activity as a means to fully uphold the standards we follow. This trip is such a one of a kind experience and I can only hope to live my life surrounded by people who invoke themselves in things like this. It is important for our chapter to participate as it is easy to become it is easy to get caught up with everything moving fast while at school. This trip allows us to understand our values and what really maters to us. 

What person experience has prepared you for this trip?

Last years trip was the single best thing I've ever done with my life. I hope I can take more of a leadership role while on the trip , and even expand our care and aid to the people we serve. 

-Calvin Winchell '16

Pictures from last year's trip

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope to accomplish with your participation on this trip?
I hope to continue our positive impact that I saw evident on our trip last year. I hope our group successfully constructs as many latrines as we can, as well as provide validation for the community in Don Juan.

Why is it important for Sigma Chi and the Gamma Pi Chapter to sponsor this activity?
It’s important for us to go down to help them because it shows the people of the villages we work in that people care about them. Also, it’s important for us as Sigma Chi to diversify our knowledge of life, and ultimately come to a more whole understanding of what goes on in this world. From our standpoint, it puts our life of excess into perspective. From the standpoint of the Dominican communities we touch, it provides a very serious validation. The impact we have down there is priceless. From physically constructing the latrines, to playing baseball with the kids at night, we accomplish more than one could even imagine by going down there. They look forward to it all year, as do we.

In your personal experiences, what has prepared you for this trip (previous service events, fundraising foreign travel, brotherhood initiatives, speak Spanish)?
I’ve participated in the trip once before, and have learned a tremendous amount. I was in a role as a participant last year, and this year I feel my role is more of a leader. I’m excited to show to others what was shown to me.

- Matthew Michael, Class of '16

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope to accomplish with your participation on this trip?
I want to build sustainable facilities for Dominican families to appreciate and utilize in order to improve their livelihood. I have always believed that helping is a reciprocal process. While I may not receive anything from them, I know that my contributions will help inspire those families to help others in the future. I want them to know that my actions are simply stepping stones towards building a more sustainable community in the Dominican Republic.

Why is it important for Sigma Chi and the Gamma Pi Chapter to sponsor this activity?
It is important for Sigma Chi (and Gamma Pi) to sponsor this because it demonstrates to others the true values and principles we stand by. Some people may not know our commitment towards our philanthropy, and going to the Dominican Republic is a crucial event to let others know the effort and time we commit towards bettering the community. It not only demonstrates our passion as brothers of Sigma Chi, but it also demonstrates our wellbeing as men.

In your personal experiences, what has prepared you for this trip (previous service events, fundraising foreign travel, brotherhood initiatives, speak Spanish)?
I travelled to Peru during my high school years, and during my time there, I participated in community service by reorganizing and revitalizing a local elementary school. In some ways or another, I felt extremely honored to be part of the reconstruction of the school, and my passion for philanthropy is what drove me to sign up for this Dominican trip. With a few years of Spanish under my belt, I hope to be an integral and active member of this philanthropy trip.

- Chandler Woo, Class of '17

Thoughts & Feelings

What do you hope to accomplish with your participation on this trip?
I hope to gain a broader understanding of the world and expose myself to a foreign culture, while bonding with my close friends and positively affecting the lives of those we are seeking to assist. 

Why is it important for Sigma Chi and the Gamma Pi Chapter to sponsor this activity?

This is a paramount event for the Gamma Pi chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity because it allows us to exercise our convictions as brothers and distinguish ourselves as a truly benevolent organization looking to aid those in need.

In your personal experiences, what has prepared you for this trip (previous service events, fundraising foreign travel, brotherhood initiatives, speak Spanish)?

Various forms of community service along with an active participation in the brotherhood.

- Justin Brennan, Class of '17