Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going

ASB has had a great year thanks to the hard work of our participants and Site Leaders! We’ve sent over 100 students to ten communities across the Western Hemisphere and volunteered thousands of hours.

As we transition with our new 2013-2014 Executive Board and Site Leaders, check out the descriptions and links below for information about what issues and communities we’ve partnered with this year! If you want to join us on a trip next year, look out for applications in the Fall semester.

Olivia Townsend – Ecological Preservation

We worked in Soddy Daisy TN with the Cumberland Trail Conference on environmental issues.  They work on the Cumberland Trail with the Tennessee Trails Association on keeping the trails maintained and forming new trails. Their goal is to eventually have a complete over 300 miles of unbroken trail. 

In December we worked on the trails, clearing them and building rock walls so that the trails are more accessible. They want to have the trails available to the public so people can see the area around them and understand why they do what they do. 

Malia Duggan – Urban Poverty and Hurricane Relief

ASBig Easy had a great time in New Orleans. We left Auburn Saturday morning as strangers, but by the time we made it to Mobile the bonding had begun (this can be partially attributed to the hour it took us to find a place to eat). We started the night out right with beignets from Cafè du Monde and touring downtown. One group took the opportunity to go to mass at the oldest cathedral in America! Sunday was great! In a span of 8 hours we went to the Audubon zoo, aquarium, and insectarium; we were exhausted.

Monday through Friday were spent working in three different homes. Our site leader JP taught us everything from missing to installing doors. Throughout the week we were blessed to hear personal stories about hurricane Katrina’s devastation and rebuilding. On Friday we got a chance to visit Brad Pitt’s homes and see where the levee breached.

Our trip was eye opening from every perspective. We learned practical skills for building a house, how to be active citizens by caring for a cause, had a reality check as far as how much devastation nature can cause, and how to build lasting friendships through service.

Dillon Casey and Lauren Gilmore – Community Development: Nicaragua

For this ASB trip, we spent a week in beautiful Managua, Nicaragua. The scenery was amazing and the people living in the local community were incredibly hospitable and welcoming. We were able to build a house for a family of seven. The majority of work throughout the week was difficult ranging from mixing concrete to carrying wood and roofing materials up large hills. As a group, we grew extremely close of the course of the week because of the unifying goal of constructing a house for a family in desperate need of a more adequate place to call home. The trip culminated in the completion of the house and we were able to eat dinner with the family in their new house at the end of the week.

The trip was a much-needed break from the realities of living in the United States. The people of Nicaragua live a much slower life with a major emphasis on solidarity. The communities are very passionate about developing meaningful relationships with friends and family. Our favorite part of the trip was getting the opportunity to meet the parents and children who would live in the house we built. The children displayed such an enthusiastic and joyful energy everyday that was contagious and heartwarming. We are grateful for the time ASB spent in Managua and relish the possibility of returning to serve the people of Nicaragua.

Cam Johnson – Food Insecurity

Our trip focused on food insecurity. Food insecurity refers to a household or country’s ability and access to nutritional and safe food that fulfills dietary needs for living an active and healthy lifestyle. The World Health Organization defines the three facets of food insecurity as food availability, food access, and food use. We partnered with Project Open Hand, a nonprofit organization that provides nutritional and dietetic services along with nutritionally appropriate meals to elderly individuals and individuals with or at risk for chronic illnesses. My participants and I served in Atlanta, Georgia over MLK weekend. We volunteered on Saturday and Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed working with everyone at Open Hand Atlanta.

My participants and I had a wonderful experience and came back to Auburn with greater awareness of this serious, but solvable, issue. We also returned to Auburn with a much greater appreciation for life in general. A few of us had the tremendous opportunity to deliver meals directly to clients; I can honestly say this has been the most fulfilling work I have ever done. Many of my participants’ favorite aspect of the trip was the direct impact they made on thousands of lives in the Atlanta area. We were able to help prepare and package meals, in addition to deliver the meals, so it was rewarding to see both parts of their operation and see an immediate effect from your volunteer efforts.

Nic Ellison and Brianne Arps – Community Development: The Dominican Republic

Our trip went to San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic. We worked with community development and economic poverty while we were there. We staffed medical clinics, distributed care packages at a refugee camp, and helped out at a local orphanage. Appleseed Expeditions partnered us with a missionary family with whom we stayed and worked with throughout the week.

Outside major population centers, emergency and general health care service range from extremely limited to non-existent. The standard of quality and care is often poor in public run hospitals. Most of the population ranges from working to poor peasant class; many of whom live in absolute poverty. Also, many of the orphans end up in prostitution/human slavery or become hardened criminals.

Becca Menke – Rural Poverty in Appalachia

Our trip went to Cranks Creek, Kentucky, a small, rural town in Eastern Kentucky home to many people living in extreme poverty. Harlan Country, where Cranks Creek is located, has been designated one of 40 economically distressed counties in Kentucky by the Appalachian Regional Commission, so there is a clear need in the area.

We volunteered with the Cranks Creek Survival Center, a small organization whose goal is to help fill the needs of the people of Cranks Creek and the surrounding area. Cranks Creek Survival Center has had groups of volunteers from all over the country and even international groups come to stay and work with them. We didn’t know exactly what we will be doing until we arrive, but it could be anything from building a handicapped ramp to fixing a roof.

John Porter- Children with Terminal Illnesses

For five wonderful days, I had the humbling pleasure of taking my peers to volunteer at Give Kids the World. Located in Kissimmee, FL, GKTW is a partner of Make a Wish Foundation. When children and their families visit Florida’s theme parks as part of their wishes, GKTW houses and feeds them for free. As volunteers, my group helped serve these families in multiple capacities, completing tasks ranging from food service, to operating giant carousels, to dressing up as Pirates and Princesses to help propagate the magical experience of Disney.

Despite being the ones doing the serving, we undoubtedly were the ones that benefited from this trip. Meeting the children and their families on Monday and watching them interact and have fun throughout the week was a powerful experience given the severity of the children’s situations. Watching my closest new friend, a little boy stricken with leukemia, run around and laugh for the first time in months put my life in perspective. Departing from them on Friday was an emotional experience for all involved.

Upon returning to Auburn, members of our trip have shown a great interest in prolonging our service mentality. As Bill Murray states in the film ‘Scrooge’ when talking about giving to others, “you become greedy for it.” You may think we are involved to help others, but, in actuality, we are just being selfish.

Allison McKinley – Social Advocacy

Serving our Spring Break in Apopka, Florida this past week was truly an eye opening experience. We worked directly with the Hope CommUnity Center, a relief ministry for immigrant workers and their families.  We spent the week immersing ourselves in the lives of migrant workers, physically living with families in the area and learning about relevant issues regarding immigration policies and reforms.

Each morning, we participated in various activities including packing potatoes for needy families and working side by side with migrant workers in the nurseries. On Thursday, we even got an opportunity to observe a march in the support of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food Compromise. It was truly a unique opportunity for us to see such an organized and positive social movement. Also, we were able to spend an afternoon with the center’s youth group which was comprised of the most positive and friendly teenagers I have ever met. Their passion and stories about the Apopka immigration community was extremely inspiring and powerful to listen to.

Without a doubt, our favorite part of the week was spending time with our host families and learning their personal stories about transition into United States culture. After spending a week immersed in their lifestyles, we all left completely changed and full of compassion for the families that welcomed us into their homes.

Definitely can’t be the same

DAY 6 – Dominican Republic

            Our last full day here  although we were all sad that our trip is coming to a close, we still had a great time at the 27 waterfalls attraction. After a 45 minute hike, we each proceeded to slide and jump down each of 27 natural waterfalls, spitting icy cold water. Good thing our showers helped up build up a bit of a tolerance…we were able to numb up fairly quickly and enjoy the beautiful coves all afternoon! A good way to end a week of hard work. We will all be happy to be home; however, as I said before, leaving is definitely bittersweet. However, I know that each person on this trip took much more out of these experiences than they even thought possible, and we will sincerely cherish these memories for the rest of our lives.

Seriously disturbed….in a good way

DAY 5 – Dominican Republic

This morning we returned to the orphanage, got a lot of painting done, and gave the girls a brand new rose colored room with hot pink dressers. After saying our last goodbyes, we returned to the house, ate lunch, and packed up the hygiene packets we assembled for patients at the local hospital. Each packet contained a variety of soaps, hotel shampoos, toothbrushes, etc…a special treat for the patients, seeing as the hospital is only obligated to provide them with a bed and an IV.

The hospital visit truly was mentally draining for many of us. The atmosphere was unlike any hospital I have ever entered. Honestly, the humane shelter in my home town seems more luxurious than the patients’ rooms we entered; and I don’t mean for that comparison to sound facetious…unfortunately, the conditions there were truly unreal. Upon our arrival, the boys and girls were separated, due to the fact that no males, even family, are allowed in the maternity ward. Thus, I am unable to attest for what the boys saw, but from what they say many of the injuries and treatment methods they encountered were fairly hard to stomach. They described devices made of string and milk jugs being used to support broken limbs until patients could afford more advanced healing accommodations.

We girls, however, remained in the maternity area throughout our entire visit, distributing the hygiene packets and snapping Polaroid pictures of the newborns for their mothers. It truly was a blessing being able to encourage the mothers and offer them a nice treat for the day. After making our rounds through the nursing rooms, Carie turned to me, knowing I am a pre-med student, and asked if I would be willing to accompany her into the neonatal unit to take pictures of the babies. As heartbreaking as it is to say this, I honestly felt as if I was possibly taking the last photographs of these babies’ lives…I tried my hardest to find a good angle with the polaroid, as ridiculous as that sounds, because I figured that one instant-print photograph could possibly be the last tangible memory a mother will have of her child. The babies were so tiny, so helpless…and the final picture I took was of the smallest one, probably seven inches from head to toes, inside an incubator located at the front of the room. A true fighter. I have never seen anything like it. At that very moment I couldn’t help but think of Santo…almost equally as weak and helpless, yet hopeful and thankful just to be alive. It was, to say the very, very least, a humbling experience I will never forget.

After the hospital, we returned to the house and finished painting the Bernard’s’ fence…and each other. I think the dog even got paint on itself at one point. Ultimately, it was nice being able to do something for Rick and Carie…they have been beyond wonderful hosts, and it was the least we could do to reciprocate all of their help.

Shaken by pure joy

DAY 4 – Dominican Republic

            We began the morning with pancakes, which obviously meant it was going to be a good day. On our way to the orphanage we stopped and visited an elderly friend of Rick and Carie’s named Santo. At the age of 15, Santo fractured some section of his spine when falling from a tree and has been a completely immobile paraplegic for over 55 years. Before we left, Carie described Santo as one of the most joyful people she knows…one of those people whose spirit is so contagious you can’t help but feel it to at least some extent. The minute we stepped into Santo’s room I completely understood what she meant. Lying in front of me was a bed ridden man, maybe 50 pounds, complete skin and bones, literally a walking skeleton…yet for some reason I found myself grinning from ear to ear as he welcomed our group so warmly, excited just to have guests for a few minutes. I still cannot wrap my head around the miracle of his condition…it truly is a medical marvel that this man has lived to see over 70 years of age. However, his survival is no longer a physical matter, but it is one reliant upon a seemingly invincible hope. There is no doubt in my mind that Santo’s hope helps keep him alive, and Rick and Carie’s work has definitely played a prime role in his determination.

Once we arrived at the orphanage I saw a few children I recognized, and they recognized me as well. Many of us also bought “expression dolls” made by the girls for monetary profit. We then took five girls with us to the local beach, which was an extremely special treat for them, seeing as they probably have only been there once or twice, despite the fact that the beach is only 30 minutes away from the orphanage. After we dropped them back off, we returned to the house and began to paint the fence out front…at least until we ran out of paint. Regardless, we all still had a great time being outside together all day…it’s awesome to see how close we’ve all become in just a few days, especially considering how awkward our first meetings were back in Auburn. Wow…back in Auburn…that was honestly a little weird to say. I haven’t even thought of that place much recently. We only have a couple of days left here, and I will be happy to be home, however departure truly is bittersweet.

Exploring like Columbus

DAY 3 – Dominican Republic

            Today was really just a fun day…we finished painting Francia’s house and walked around the capitol for a while. Saw Columbus’s house. We also went souvenir shopping, and later that evening we ate a Chinese restaurant…random, but actually really delicious.

Reality check

DAY 2 – Dominican Republic

            This morning we visited a girls’ orphanage sponsored by the Bernards. The children’s’ stories are dumbfounding. One little girl, I think about the age of 4, continued to hang around me for a good part of the morning. I could sense her sweet spirit…she had intelligent eyes, and although she never said a word, she didn’t come off as shy at all. I honestly didn’t even notice she wasn’t talking until Carie approached me, saying that the girl was completely unable to talk. Later tonight she shared with me the little girl’s story: her parents were both witch doctors who were murdered because of their practices, and although she is physically able to speak, she has, as the people here say, a spirit hanging over her, preventing her from speaking. Carie told me she has been trying to enroll the girl in a school for deaf students, seeing as she currently has no schooling whatsoever; however such establishments refuse to accept her because she technically is neither deaf nor mute. Carie says she’s heard her make a moaning sound once, but that’s it. Every girl in the orphanage has some sort of story, and most all of them have gone through more in their short lives than I probably ever will in mine.

The orphanage itself was simple; it even had goats in the backyard along with a single swing set and trampoline. It was truly refreshing to see children playing with one another outside rather than being glued to a TV screen all day. They were all so happy with each other, and even the smallest things brought them joy. My Spanish is terrible and they still stuck to me like flies…I’m not one to be all over all the kids all of the time, it’s not something that comes as naturally to me, but the look in their eyes today will never leave my memory. That’s a reward in itself.

After lunch we rode the bus to an area the family calls the “refugee camp,” which is really a slum housing victims of Hurricane George. I honestly cannot begin to describe the living conditions I saw. Literally shacks. Just like the places I see in documentaries and movies…but in reality, it’s so much more impactful. I didn’t necessarily feel sympathy or guilt, maybe because it was too surreal, but I tried to take it all in and observe as much as possible. However, all I did was take a short walk…all I’m participating in now is a short week of service. I’ll never even begin to wrap my mind around those peoples’ lives. Can they have any hopes or dreams? It seems their only objective in life is survival. I’ve always had my entire world handed to me on a platter, full of opportunity and promise. I feel like I’ve already taken more out of this trip in two days than I would from the entire week. And for that, I am truly, truly grateful.

After walking through the refugee area, we proceeded to set up four folding tables in the middle of the street and unload our medical supplies. The most advanced treatments we had were antibiotics, and most of us were primarily in charge of distributing gummy vitamins, hydrocortisone cream, and other OTC drugs as if we were trained to do so. Mothers were bringing their sick children to us, waiting for a diagnosis and treatment that could be picked up in a local CVS. But to them this was care, which really got me thinking. Medical care in these places isn’t even an economical issue. It’s a means for survival. Honestly, a means for hope. I believe we all did our best today, and I know the experience touched the hearts and minds of each person in our group.

Good morning, San Cristobal and ice water!

DAY 1 – Dominican Republic

Good morning, ice water. Upon our arrival yesterday evening, our hosts this week, Rick and Carie Bernard, stressed the importance of continuous hydration, assuring us that they will provide a plentiful supply of cool water throughout the week. Little did I realize this term applied not only to the drinking water, but to the shower water, as well. However, regardless of this small inconvenience, the home in which we are staying is very nice, filled with welcoming people and delicious food. After a delectable pancake breakfast, our group of 11 (Brianne, Nic, Tim, Sarah 1, Sarah 2, Callie, Ashton, Brantley, Patty, Peter, and myself) ventured an entire 20 feet across the street to a park previously refurbished by the ASB group of 2012. We spent the morning weeding (not that we really knew what we were doing at all), planting flowers, painting benches, and conversing (or at least trying to) with the local residents. It’s so interesting how a difference as small as the languages we speak can produce such an enormous barrier.

The park ended up looking great. I was genuinely proud to know that I was a part of the work that re-shined a community gem, giving the residents a nice place to relax and spend time in a generally neglected environment. Who would’ve though a simple park could make such a difference in an area? Even basic backyards in the United States have nicer adornments than the concrete benches and flower beds we fixed up today. It truly is beautiful the incredible joy and gratitude that can come from something so simple.

After lunch we rode a van to the home of one of the house employees, Francia. According to Carie, she is one of the most amazing, golden-hearted individuals you will ever meet. She lives in a half-rotten, wooden home about the size of my parents’ kitchen with her husband and three children. The sleeping areas are separated by bed sheet curtains hanging on a clothesline, and the main living area consists of a few seats, speakers, a table, and what looked like a small cooking area. I don’t remember seeing a bathroom anywhere inside. Yet, despite the residence’s shack-like appearance, it honestly had one of the homiest feelings I’ve experienced since we’ve been here. The family was just so excited about the fresh coat of pink paint we were about to put on the outside of their home, and I really can’t think of any words to explain the radiance of their joy. Again, the delight brought on from an act so simple is beyond refreshing.