Listen HereEmma Smith
@Emma2000Smith
A select number of students are gearing up to travel over their Spring Break. Through the Buford Center for Diversity, students had the option to apply for two different service programs. One of the programs was through the Habitat for Humanity chapter on UF. This chapter is taking 22 students and 2 adults to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to serve. The other program is through the Oilers Serving Abroad. This group is taking 9 students and 1 adult to Quito, Ecuador to help out with Mana International.
According to Habitat for Humanity’s website, Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home.
“We believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities,” their website states.
While in Florida the students will be asked to perform a lot of physical labor to help communities. Outside of their services they will also have the opportunity to explore the city that they are helping through their trip. Oilers Serving Abroad will be traveling to Ecuador and working at a community center.
Crystal Weitz is the advisor for Habitat for Humanity and was really excited about the experiences that the Oilers were going to receive from these programs.
“One goal [of the trip] is to get students who don’t know each other to get to know each other,” said Weitz “Students do not necessarily have to be club members to join the program, they apply.”
They will be performing different games and lessons to help teach people English as well as potentially have the opportunity to swim with special needs children or put on a baking class for a senior citizen community. Both groups of students are ready to roll up their sleeves and help in any way possible. Weitz hopes that all parties involved will enjoy the experience while also helping those in need.
“It is a really cool change to bond over the community of people who like to serve and help other people,” said Weitz
Oilers Serving Abroad and Habitat for Humanity are not the only organizations taking trips for spring break. The Buford Center is taking students on an alternative spring break to Cleveland to engage in a social justice exploration project and Campus Ministries is taking a Spring Break Retreat. Oilers Serving Abroad will be spending their week free from classes in useful and humanitarian ways.
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