14th March
2012
Each of you should write up an answer to this question. 500 words minimum.
17 Comments
Leave a Reply
ABOUT
This is a monthly blog updated by Haiti 2012 participants.
RECENT POSTS
25th May 2012
28th April 2012
09th April 2012
14th March 2012
14th March 2012
| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « May | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | ||
I included part of my 500 words in the autobiography so I may be a bit shorter here
. I’m returning to Haiti with UIU this year to help PID in any way possible, which will probably consist primarily of manual labor. Last year, Dr. Eller, Kevin Firth and I spent the majority of two days helping two PID staff uproot a palm tree root ball. For those of you reading this blog, you may not fully appreciate the gravity of that task, but I assure you it was no easy feat. We ended up digging underneath the root ball, which was probably somewhere around 4+ feet deep and the entire hole was probably 7-9 feet in diameter. The only tools we had were pick axes and shovels and were able to convince the contractor to purchase a regular axe for the second day. Other tasks we helped with during the trip included filling in foundations with rock shoveled into a wheelbarrow and carrying 5 gallon buckets of cement via an assembly line. For those of you new to the trip, be prepared to work, but the work is the most fulfilling you will ever experience. PID is an organization that helps those who are willing to help themselves. It is not merely a charity providing temporary fixes to a much greater problem and simply kicking the problems down the road. The old saying goes, “give a man a fish and feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” PID “teaches the local population to fish”. While in Haiti and in the coursework prior to departure, you will learn much about the Haitian culture and PID. I think each of you will gain a greater understanding of your own moral compass as you encounter this course. I look forward to meeting each of you and working with you. The last bit of advice I can offer is to bring plenty of bug repellant, hand sanitizer, and sunblock with you. The mosquitoes and ants are hungry, the spiders are big, and occasionally a snake might drop out of a tree, but it is all worth it.
There are several reasons that I decided to travel to Haiti this May. When I was in my undergraduate program at UW-Madison, a group called International Student Volunteers gave a presentation about volunteer trips and ecotourism. I decided to go to Australia where I spent two weeks volunteering on conservation projects. We planted native trees in along a river so that willow trees, which are not native to the area, could eventually be removed. Adding non-native plants to the area caused huge issues with blocking the river with debree and killing the animal life there. We also built a boardwalk to encourage people to walk there instead of through the entire forest, which was killing vegetation. We then spent two weeks traveling the coast of Australia and taking part in adventure activities ranging from repelling to white water rafting in the rain forest to scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. I travelled with 40 college students who I did not know and had a life changing experience. Several years after we went, there were still newspaper articles about the impact our travel group made. Having that experience has made me want to continue with these types of projects and this job allows me the time to do so.
The second reason for my decision is an emotional one. My father, who was one of my best friends, passed away in December unexpectedly. He had recently gotten divorced and was planning to travel to Haiti himself to volunteer once his house sold. The house did not sell before his passing, thus he did not have the opportunity to go. Because of the strong connection with my dad, I have been doing as many things as possible to help his memory live on. Going to Haiti is one of the most important things on my list, as it will also allow me to help others.
The third reason for this trip is obviously to help those who live in Haiti. I think that many people in the US are fortunate to have luxuries that we take for granted on a daily basis. This trip will allow me to keep these things in mind as I worry about refinishing my new home and keep focused on the important things in life. I think that people are eager to help when a disaster first happens, but then forget what is going on in that area just months after the ocurrence. I appreciate that UIU continues to return to Haiti every year to help with the efforts. It is also encouraging to see that there are students who went last year returning to help again.
Finally, I am looking forward to the eye-opening opportunity that this trip will bring for students going. It will be a lot of hard work and will provide an amazing understanding of another culture that functions much differently than our own.
You have no idea how comfortable your own world is until you get pushed to go beyond your limits. Sure I knew all about poverty from those child sponsorship commercials where the kids are sitting on the top of a pile of trash. I thought I knew all about Haiti from the short 5 minute news clips about the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit in January of 2010. But as I stepped off that plane in the Port-au-prince airport, I knew I was in a world that was all unknown to me. So when asked why am I going to Haiti the answer is fairly simple. I am going so I am not an ignorant american. I am going to learn how other people of this world are living. I\\\’m going to create relationships with Haitians that become some of the strongest bonds I have ever had. The main reason though my heart aches to return to Haiti time and time again are the children. If you could even see the conditions that these kids have to live through on a daily basis, the heart aches they go through, and the sights they see everyday is enough to break your heart. No child should have to worry if there parents are going to make it home that night to feed them and their siblings. No child should have to sleep on a bed of dirt. You would think that I am going to Haiti to change these kids lives even if its just a smile or a hug. But these kids end up changing my heart every time. They represent courage, strength, and hope better then anything. They fill me with a new sense that I can overcome anything in my own life, and they fill me with a passion to want to do something to help kids in their situation. I can\’t wait to work with PID and work to build a brighter future for the homeless. I hope everyone else has as good and positive of an experience that I did my first time in Haiti. I think some people think I go because it looks good on college applications, resumes, or people just applaud you for it. I could care less about any of that. I am going to Haiti for the Haitians and myself. I get no greater joy then to see a haitian delight in a new home or the smile across their face when they recieve medical attention. They deserve the same simple luxuries us as americans recieve. I have told stories after stories to my friends, including Tim, but it just doesn\’t make the kind of impact that actually experiencing Haiti will bring. I can\’t wait to see eyes opened and hearts transformed of the other students as Haiti captivates them, the same way it captivated me.
When asked why I decided to go on this trip to Haiti, my answer was why not. There are many reasons why I decided to travel to Haiti. The main reason why is because my best friend in high school and my roommate at Morningside College travels to Haiti three to four times a year with her family and friends. Her family is very involved with a non-profit organization called Touch of Hope-Haiti. They help with building new schools, orphanages, and houses for families that come to the mission asking for help. My friend and her family own a house down there and are in the process of adopting a little boy from Haiti. After seeing how visiting Haiti impacted their lives, I knew that I wanted to experience it sometime in my life and when this opportunity came along I just couldn’t pass it up.
Another reason why I decided to attend this trip is because even before the earthquake, Haiti was the world’s poorest country. After being struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, they need our help more than ever. Just seeing the short videos and reading articles about the destruction that occurred I knew I wanted to help in any way I could. Even though I haven’t been there to experience Haiti for myself, seeing pictures and videos can give me somewhat of an idea of what’s going on in Haiti. But I think that it will be way different seeing and experiencing it in person than just imagining from photos and videos. Another reason why I decided to go was because after seeing everything on TV and what not, all I could think about were the kids that were majorly impacted by this catastrophe. These kids didn’t get to choose to be born into this world that way but they never take a day for granted. I hope to teach them some stuff about my life but mostly I am excited to experience and have them teach me more. Even when my friend from high school talks about helping all the orphans in Haiti, it breaks my heart.I am really excited to experience this whole new world and have it impact me. I believe that many people in the United States have it extremely easy and don’t think about the people who have to work to live and take care of their kids. I think going to Haiti and experience it for myself with give me a whole new perspective on life and I won’t take what I have for granted, and it will help me keep in mind what really matters in life. Finally I can’t wait to meet everyone and get you know you more over this great experience that we will be having together.
Hello everyone!
I am Jane Bushnell from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
I am 52 years old and been happily married for 33 years to my husband Randy who is an engineer for 3M.
We have 3 children – Amber is 28, married, and a chemical engineer for the 3M company. Chris is 26, married and graduated in finance from UW LaCrosse. Amanda is 23, and graduated in economics from UW Madison.
We are now proud grandparents to Mason who is 8 months old.
We also have two cats that we rescued; their names are Emmy and Puffball.
I have worked in the HR/management field for the past 30 years.
I am currently employed with Lori Knapp Companies as their Corporate Human Resources and Marketing Director. Lori Knapp Companies is a human services agency that provides long term care services for the elderly and people with different abilities. I thoroughly enjoy my job as it is challenging and fast-paced.
I received my Associate Degree in Human Resources 33 years ago but had always wanted to obtain my Psychology degree. Now that I have raised my children and supported them through college (all have their degrees), I decided it was my turn so I enrolled at Upper Iowa 2 years ago. I have completed 13 classes with 4 to go. It is difficult and challenging going back to school after 33 years, but it is also very rewarding.
I do not plan on changing careers as my current job position provides me with all the opportunities and challenges I need J. This degree is for my own personal achievement.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.
I also spend a great deal of time volunteering for non-profit organizations. My current focus is working for the Futures scholarship program in Prairie du Chien where I serve as the President and scholarship coordinator for this organization.
I am so looking forward to our Haiti trip and getting to know everyone.
Jane
Sorry about the comment above – I reposted this in the autobiography section.
Why I chose to go to Haiti?
There are many reasons that I chose to go to Haiti. I have always enjoyed traveling and experiencing other cultures. I am excited to see the everyday life that the Haitians live, their priorities, their family values, their thoughts and disposition on life. How do they build? How do they work? What types of tools and living accessories do they have? What do they think of life, love, people?
Haiti has been distressed and Mother Nature further devastated their land. It will be challenging and rewarding to help them make their living environment a better place. A few years ago I went to a conference and the guest speaker was Phil Keoghan from the Amazing Race. He spoke about 8 ways to create the life you want. This takes a person through 8 categories asking you to dig deep and identify ways to face your fears, take a leap of faith, test your limits, get lost, and so on. I decided to test my limits by going back to school. Doing a mission trip fell into 2 different categories that I have always desired and it has also been on my “bucket list” so when this opportunity came up, I jumped on it without a moments hesitation.
Throughout my life I have always spent time volunteering for a variety of organizations. Giving to others in the form of volunteering is one of the most rewarding things a person can do. There is nothing better than seeing a smile on someone’s face, helping a loved one or someone in need, and making the world a better place to live. Many of us have been blessed with a good life. We have never experienced days when we wonder where our next meal will come from, or desire safety and a roof over our head. We as Americans can get caught up in the American dream, believing that “possessions” will make us happy. It is helpful to experience and remember that happiness does not come from “things’; rather, happiness comes from people and doing good.
When I went back to school two years ago (at the age of 53), it was challenging and empowering. At the time I went for one reason – to obtain a degree for personal achievement. It was all about the destination. BUT the last two years have shown me that the destination is not important. What has been important and rewarding is the journey – that of helping my classmates understand the value of education, helping someone through a hospice situation, and having this opportunity to go to Haiti.
I am looking forward to a life-changing experience and giving 100 percent effort to help others.
When the earthquake happened I was overcome at the devastation in Haiti. As with any disaster I have witnessed on television, I really wanted to go and help the people in any way I possibly can. Now I have been given the opportunity to do so, and am so excited about this. It sounds like Partners in Development is an amazing organization. After doing some research, and also reading the previous posts on the UIU-Haiti website, it only confirmed my desire to go with this wonderful group of students and staff. My hope is that I have more opportunities to help in other areas in the future, whether it is here in the United States or another country. I am almost done raising my children, now I feel it is time to start channeling my energies to help others.
Many of the people in Haiti are innocent people that were not getting the help they needed from their government. It is devastating to know there are children without their parents, parents who have lost their children and other family members. Looking at Mariah’s pictures on her face book page just warmed my heart, what a beautiful way to touch the lives of people, and to feel the love in return, and be able to learn about the hope and the amazing strength I believe many people in Haiti must have to share. I believe we have a moral responsibility to help others in our world.
Like in one of Donne’s devotional volume’s he wrote, “Any man’s death diminishes me”. (This is the same volume that includes “for whom the bell tolls….”). This is an amazing explication of the way I am sure thousands of people feel deep within their souls. I believe that many people just do not understand that global health affects everyone in the world. These people need homes, running water, sewer, and the access to jobs, healthy foods, and good medical care. Not only is it important to educate those suffering in other countries to live healthier lives and to be self-sufficient so there is less suffering in these countries, but it is also important for everyone around the world. By helping other countries we are in turn helping our country, to help stop the spread of disease. If we continue to sit back and allow some of these countries continue to suffer from diseases, this will create even more poverty for them, which will cause more of an unstable situation in that country. This will eventually have financial and political consequences everywhere. We, the United States, and other countries have the ability to help prevent pointless suffering, and the opportunity to gain trust in these countries. All around, I see it as a good thing.
I read an article a while back by Dave Eller (any relation Eric??) who is the president of World Concern, a humanitarian organization that is placed in many countries to help people. I have shared his words with other people who complain to me that those who go to other countries to help are “wasting their time”, and that “they should be here helping their own people”. Dave Eller said, “If we determine that any person is of less value because of where they were born, we have lost our humanity.” Usually this quiets them and makes them think a little. And this is true. If everyone just does something wherever they are, or however they are able, we will touch the world in amazing ways.
I believe this will be an experience of a lifetime, an opportunity to serve others, to witness first-hand the desperation, and the need which seems so much greater than most in our country. As I just posted in face book, I know there are many, many, people right now in America who are struggling, and I do not mean to diminish this. With our economy, times are very tough. With all the natural disasters we have been experiencing, it saddens me just the same.
I no longer want to sit back and watch while others help to make a change. I want to dig in and get my hands dirty, learn first-hand the culture and the lives of the Haitians. Two out of three of my sons are adults now, and one has helped out in an orphanage in Costa Rica, and the other helped an organization in Colorado. They have taught me that there is no limit to what we can do, and have given me the courage to step out and make a difference. I feel we all have a responsibility to do what we can, so here I am.
When I started by BSN completion program in January 2010, I knew that I was
on a journey to get a four year college degree. My oldest child had already graduated
college and had spent a year studying abroad in Northern Ireland. We were fortunate
enough to be able to take our family over to Europe to see her and do some sights-
seeing over Christmas break that year. I really enjoyed the experience of seeing other
countries and cultures. My second child also studied abroad for one month during his
college career, so my family thinks that I should have a study abroad experience, too.
The nursing program at UIU had been talking about doing a trip to combine the culture
requirement with some nursing component, so I kept putting off taking my cultures class,
hoping that one of those trips would materialize. It paid off for me because now the Haiti
trip meets the culture requirement and I think it will be the perfect ending for my college
career. With this class, I will meet the last requirement for my BSN and can graduate.
My husband, Dan, is going on the trip as well. We have a couple of friends who
happen to work with my husband who have gone to Haiti in the last couple of years. He
has visited with them about their experiences and when the emails started coming to our
home email box about the Haiti trip opportunity, Dan jumped right in to see if this was
something he could do, too. Our friends tell us that it will be a life changing experience.
We have never been on a mission trip, so are looking forward to the experience.
In nursing schools, cultural competency has been a hot topic over the past five
to ten years. Cultural competency has become part of our nursing curriculum and when
I took my nursing boards, there were many questions on culture. I also think there is a
lot to be gained by “walking in someone else’s shoes”. Each time I have a patient from a
culture different than mine, I try to find out what beliefs are important to them and how
we can be sure to respect that in their care. I think I will grow as a person and as a nurse
to be able to see and experience the culture of Haiti.
I am hoping to work in the clinic most of the time while in Haiti, as I am excited
to see how things are different than what I am used to in the United States. It will be
interesting to see how they practice without all the modern technology and convenience
that we take for granted. I think that this experience will make me more appreciative
of my job here in Iowa. I hope to also work in the field with my husband and the other
students, professors, and volunteers as well. I think that will be a good experience, too. I
feel fortunate to be able to participate in both. Several of the doctors that I have worked
with over the past 5 years have also participated in trips to other countries to volunteer. I
have enjoyed hearing about their experiences and following them on their blogs. I guess
some of my friends will be reading this, too and follow my experiences for the week we
are in Haiti.
I’ve had the opportunity to travel internationally to Canada, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, and Jamaica. Some of my trips have been for work, while others have been as a tourist. While I enjoy seeing the sights when traveling, I enjoy these trips most when I get to learn about the culture and the lifestyle of the people. I expect that this trip will be a completely different experience than my previous travels.
When Carol and I were in Jamaica, we encountered a mission group that was working there, and I was somewhat intrigued by that possibility. I also have 2 co-workers who have gone on mission trips to Haiti.
When we learned of this Haiti trip, and that it happened to provide a credit that Carol needs to finish her degree, I encouraged her to consider it. As soon as she started to seriously consider going, it occurred to me that this is an experience that we should share.
As I have pondered the question of why I am going to Haiti, I have realized that the primary reason is for the experience. However, I think I am also drawn to this trip because it’s in my nature to help others. As I noted in my autobiography, I’m a volunteer firefighter. In the past, I was also a volunteer First Responder for the area ambulance services where I lived. I continue to volunteer as a firefighter because it is a way for me to serve the community, and I find it personally rewarding to help others.
Why I am going to Haiti:
Finding out about the Haiti trip for me involved walking into Expository Writing on the first day and learning of an upcoming meeting that night. I attended the meeting and learned more about what the trip was about. I left the meeting thinking this would be a very interesting trip to take. I have done mission trips in the past down in Mexico and it was very rewarding to our patients but the biggest reward was how our team felt being able to help the less fortunate. I thought long and hard about joining the group and talked to my daughter who also attended the meeting with me. We decided by the next morning that this would be a great experience through the college and we were going to find out more.
After talking with a few people we then decided to join the team. Just knowing that we can make a difference in someone’s life is such a good feeling. I decided that we have so much to be thankful for here in the United States. Even when we have troubles, it doesn’t even come close to the problems or hurdles the people of Haiti go through every day since the earthquake. The “team” that is going to Haiti are great people. Even though I haven’t met a majority in person, they must be as they are reaching out like I am to make a difference. Although it will be lots of work, I am truly looking forward to the week’s projects. It will be a great time to get to know the other team members and build memories and friendships.
When people have the opportunity to participate in missions it is more rewarding to the volunteers than most would think. Just knowing that you made a difference in a child or adult’s life is worth any hassle or job you have to do. Sharing what you have to offer and supporting the less fortunate is what it is truly about.
Going to Haiti for me means seeing a child smile or a family smile when they figure out that we are there to help them. To hear the people say thank you and acknowledge what we are doing and why. To be able to share whatever it is that we have to offer is the greatest feeling ever.
Knowing that I can tell other Upper Iowa students about our adventure and making them aware of the trip in the future so they to can join a team and have the experience of a life time. Spreading the word of good friends and memories and the bonding that occurs in such a devastating situation. Giving those students the encouragement to look into what Upper Iowa offers and the fact that they are always doing something to help others. Not just traveling to Haiti but the other trips such as Belize that students just returned from. Being able to stand tall and give what we have to give is why I am going to Haiti.
As strange as it seems, I never really asked myself why I am going to Haiti. To be even more honest, I spent a great deal of time thinking about this question before I started writing my response and found myself stumped. To me, deciding to go to Haiti was more of a feeling than it was an explanation. I felt it was something I needed to do; for the people who need help, but selfishly also for myself. If I’ve learned one thing in the world of care giving, it’s that if you don’t find, help, and devote time to yourself for growth, helping others is merely impossible. So this is my explanation. I am going to Haiti to not only help anyone who needs it, but also to build and find my character so that one day when I’m in the field of social work, I can not just be a great social worker, but an exceptional one, who is able to help and be there for many people. I know the people of Haiti have a lot to teach us and I’m looking forward to embracing and absorbing the Haitian culture.
My childhood was nothing short of amazing and I have my parents to thank for that.
Growing up, I had a pretty easy life. I am a daughter of a successful dairy farmer and a stay at home mom. I was involved in just about every activity known for a young girl to take part in. I took piano lessons, I played volleyball and softball, I was a figure skater, and I took dance classes. I was also in girl scouts for a few years, along with church activities like bible class, Sunday school, and youth group. As I grew up and went to college, my parents were able to pay for my schooling as well as my room and board (as long as I maintained good grades and held a job). To me, the opportunities I was given play a part in the successes I’ve had thus far in my life. The sad reality is that we don’t get to pick and choose where we’re born and who are the most influential people in our lives. This is another reason I am passionate about helping people in Haiti for example. I believe that everyone should be given a chance and opportunity to be their very best and where an individual lives shouldn’t decide whether or not they prosper in this world.
I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know each individual who’s apart of this group, and also the individuals who will be positively affected by our efforts. I know I am bound to make some lasting friends and I know this trip is going to help each one of us grow an individuals, which will only benefit the lives we come in contact with as our journey continues onward. I am blessed to have this opportunity and will use it to bring happiness and peace to people in need. I am positive there will be many others doing the same. Until then, peace and love.
I recently started taking classes, again, at UIU and was looking for a May term class to take. When I saw that the Haiti trip was available I knew that that was what I wanted to do. I know several people that went last year, and I heard stories about the country and the conditions there, and hoped that one day I would be able to go and experience it for myself. Due to my work schedule and other obligations I was unable to go until now.
I have watched TV and am aware of the devastation there, I have also been on the internet recently studying about Haiti and what is means to be the least developed country in the world. When I read about the loss of lives, the billions of dollars of damages, diseases, political upheaval, the displacement camps and the overall conditions that Haitian\’s endure on a daily basis, it was overwhelming to say the least. In addition to the difficult living conditions, there seems to be a lack of sufficient security which adds a danger element to anyone entering Haiti as well as its current residents. It occurred to me while I was doing this research how easy and convenient my live is. I can go to the internet and look up anything at any time, watch whatever I want on TV, call my husband while I\’m driving to work, have access to an education, decide what I want to feed my family and go to the store and buy it or just go out to eat. I can even take a paid vacation from work and to take class. WOW, how great is that. I have always been truly grateful for all the blessings in my life, but it does put things into perspective.
I have to admit that when I first heard about the disaster on the news, in 2010, my heart ached for the people there, and I wished that I could go there and do something to help, but what could \"I\" do to make a difference. I am only one person in another country. I can\’t just drop everything and go there. I can see now that, with the combined efforts of many people and many relief organizations, a positive difference can be made. This is a welcome opportunity for me to finally, physically do something to help.
I am also excited about getting out of my comfort zone. This will be my first time traveling to another country. My husband and I have just received our passports a month ago, in anticipation of traveling abroad for vacation purposes. This trip to Haiti will add a more meaningful and humanistic flavor to my first foreign adventure.
I am looking forward to experiencing Haiti, as the country continues to rebound from its recent setbacks. I hope we will all have a positive impact while we are there. I know it will have a positive impact on me.
I can’t wait to meet everyone.
Sincerely, Carol
The reason I am going to Porte Prince Haiti, is to help out the people in need that are still suffering from the earthquake, which happened a while back; and to do whatever is asked from my instructors to help make the area we are working at a better place. I have a strong desire to help people that really need a hand; and I feel that this is a perfect opportunity to share what I have to offer to help other people. Also going to Haiti will be an experience because I have never been there. I have met a lot of people from Haiti when I travel to Florida; during the summers to spend time with my older sister. I choosing to go one this trip because I know that we are not going to Haiti just to have fun it’s basically all business when we get there. I enjoy doing work that others can help benefit from, so I can look back on myself and say “I helped a person that really needed help”. This will be probably not just a great experience for me but I hope it is to the team that is traveling down to Haiti with me. I like learning about different cultures, and seeing the way others live in different parts of the world. I know that Haiti is not the best but I’m pretty sure that there are some nice places to see how they do certain things in Haiti. Things about Haiti been popping up everywhere I been Haiti and to me I think that is a sign that is telling me that I should really go. A another reason why I am going is because I heard a lot of great things about this trip from people who went in the previous years, some say they really enjoyed helping out, some said it was a real emotional thing to see coming from the United State to a place where people in Poverty is everywhere and not hidden. Some people even said leaving from there and coming back to the United States they started viewing life differently because of what they experience in the week of the trip down in Haiti, and I hope I at least get some of those feelings that the previous teams have gotten when they traveled to Haiti and returned back. I love to travel; Haiti is one of the places that I personally never thought about going just to go because Haiti was never a mine blowing place that I wanted to travel to, but ever since I signed up for this trip I been very excited to go, meet new people and experience a whole different one out side of the United States. I will make the best out of my experience to Haiti this May term and try to make this trip as remunerable as possible by not only helping out, but having a great time with my team/ course mates and the other commuters that are traveling with us to Haiti from different campuses as well.
I am going to Haiti for many reasons. First, it sounded like a great opportunity to participate in with fellow students at Upper Iowa. Being able to get to know students at a different level more than just a classmate. Being able to travel to Haiti and spend a week as a team and helping people in need is an amazing opportunity.
Having the opportunity to see another part of the world and the differences among the people and see exactly what we here in the United States have to be so thankful for. To see what true poverty looks like and being able to help these people out first hand will be very rewarding to our entire team.
I had heard a few other students who went on this trip last year say it was an amazing experience and very eye opening and emotional. Although there is a high rate of crime in Haiti since the earthquake for the school to continue making efforts to help the people shows that they are committed.
My mom is also going on this trip and we have both been on mission trips before but we have never been on one together. Being able to do something like this with my mom will be another experience in itself. Not many people can say that they have been to Haiti for school with their mom to do mission work. I think with my mom going I will feel much more comfortable.
Doing the work itself to help the people of Haiti will be very rewarding and will be educational to me as I think I often forget the things I have and what I have to be thankful for. Looking at the pictures on the internet with families living in tents and the health issues they face was a reality check for me. I can’t imagine the emotional impact it will have on all of us when we are actually face to face with the true conditions. Just being able to help the people is my prime reason for going to Haiti. Getting the life lesson while I am there is just a bonus. The work we do there might not be noticeable to some people but to the Haitians I am sure they are extremely greatful for any help they can get. They are deserving of a clean environment and homes to raise their children in. So, anything that I can do to help make their lives a little better will be very much worth it to me. As a team we can be very proud of the dedication desire and compassion that it takes to take part in such a mission. Being able to put aside our own luxuries and get sweaty and dirty for others shows the dedication. At the end of the days over there we will have so much to be proud of because in the end we have made a huge difference to the people of Haiti and in our own selves.
The bond we will have amongst each other will be something that only our team will understand based on our time spent there. Helping is why I am going to Haiti and doing it with friends.
I am going back to Haiti for the third year in a row for a variety of reasons. Haiti is unique. I normally don’t return to the same place in consecutive years, but I feel compelled to go back to Haiti.
Our first year, we were in Haiti just 4 months after the earthquake. It was heart-wrenching, to say the least. We had an amazing group and saw a lot of things. Every evening we had a debriefing session and very rarely did that pass without many tears from many people. You will see and feel some of the things we did that first year, but it will be different. Last year, much of the rubble had been cleared and fewer people were still living in tents and there was a difference feeling in the air (even with the cholera epidemic in full swing) as we were there for the inauguration of a new President. It was amazing to see the progress, but also frustrating to know how much more should and could have been done.
I go back because of the great work of Partners in Development (PID) and all the people who work there….my friends! I go back because I know the learning and growth opportunity for students is unmatched. I go back for all the people who still need our help on a daily basis. I can’t not go back.
Hello, Everyone I am sorry my link did not get posted until today, I submitted it with the other blog when I posted that a couple weeks ago but this one must not have sent through but my name is Timothy Rueb I am a freshman at Upper Iowa University I am from Stillwater Minnesota right outside the twin cities. I play soccer for Upper Iowa University and I will be a resident assistant next year. I am also the student body president of the 2012-2013 year. Why I am going to Haiti is because I have always had an interest in helping people I had never done any mission trip service before this trip I had only done community service around the town and around schools and never thought I would do it in another country but my best friend she is an amazing person has been there twice and has fallen deeply in love with helping out in Haiti she went there once for a week with her mom and loved it so much that she did not go to her freshman year of college so she could travel down to Haiti for three months. This really opened my eyes to Haiti and though I was never against helping Haiti I always was against her leaving and missing school well now after her experience I am amazed by her and wanted to give it a try myself. So I started my interest in going to Haiti than when I started seeing the flyers around campus about the Upper Iowa University Haiti trip it caught my eye. I realized the teacher to talk to was Dr. Farren-Eller so I asked her in class on Monday and she got so excited and started telling me all about it and this just made me want to go more and more. I concluded I did not have the money for the trip so that was a bummer because I really wanted to go, Dr. Farren-Eller made the trip sound like an amazing experience and then her and I kept talking and kept talking and she convinced me I could not wait any longer so next thing I know I am ordering T-Shirts and raising money for the trip. I truly cannot wait for this amazing eye opening experience I am about to have thanks to Dr. Farren-Eller and working with me to get me enrolled in the class and on the trip. Another small portion of why I came is you get the credits for a class as well now that is a win situation, because I would have eventually gone to Haiti through a mission trip with another company because of my interests in disaster they suffered from, I can’t wait to meet everyone and get to know you all this should be both a eye opening and an amazing experience I cannot wait to share this with all of you. Have a great day hope you enjoyed and I am looking forward to meeting you all soon. this is not working maybe this will now lets hope.
There are many reason for why I choose to travel to Haiti. The main reason why I wanted to travel to Haiti, is because I enjoy helping other. Helping out people in a time in need is something I have always had as a priority. Having this opportunity to help, and understand different cultures is a great experience. Even though, it has been a couple years since the tragic event still many remain homeless. After watching many videos and documentaries about Haiti, and seeing the condition that people were facing, made me want to help out any way possible. At first, my parents and I talked about making a money donation, but then I was reading on the Upper Iowa page and found the information about the Haiti trip. I felt like this was another great opportunity to help the people of Haiti, by putting in my own hard work, instead of money. I have spent many hours putting into to community service, but have not yet traveled outside of the country to help others in need. I have been very fortunate to grow up in the family that I did, and I think this will be a big eye opener, and make me more thankful for everything I have. Along with that, helping others in third world countries is something I plan to do as an summer time hobby.