Students to spend two weeks in Honduras building homes
Steve Thomas
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Features
When Eastern's finals week concludes on May 8, most students will breathe a huge sigh of relief and relish in the rest and relaxation summer brings.
That is, of course, unless they're leaving to build houses in Honduras two days later.
From May 10 to May 22, six Eastern students and two faculty members are going to Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras, to work alongside local community members and build affordable houses for people in need, according to Brian Perry, Student Life's assistant director of community service and student engagement and a trip participant.
"This is a great opportunity for students to give back and experience another culture," Perry said. "It's a great way to travel and get a more in-depth experience."
The trip is a part of Habitat for Humanity International's Global Village program, which builds houses in impoverished nations worldwide.
Perry said he played a large role in organizing the trip through Eastern's Alternative Break Program, which has expanded into the summer for the first time and is going overseas for the first time.
"I'm excited not only for the new program, but also to see the response it's gotten … it makes the effort of putting it together worthwhile," Perry said.
For volunteers, the trip won't be all hard labor.
The trip itinerary includes visits to the Copan Mayan Ruins and local hot springs -- and even a visit to the canopy zip line scheduled for the only weekend during the trip.
In addition, Perry said volunteers would have afternoons and evenings to "explore the city."
Mike Mazzotta, a freshman chemistry major from Louisville and trip participant, said community service was a big part of his life. Mazzotta also participated in an Alternative Spring Break in Charleston, S.C., earlier this semester.
"I was really into that trip," he said. "It got me pumped about this one."
Angie Carter, a senior biology major from Charleston, W.Va., said she is looking forward to many aspects of the trip, including the weekend off in Honduras.
"I'm so excited about the zip line," she said. "As soon as Brian (Perry) said 'zip line,' I was like, 'Oh yeah, we're doing that!'"
But Carter said she knows it's not all fun and games and is looking forward to making a real difference.
"It always feels good to give back to somebody else," she said. "We may not communicate well and may not know what they're going through, but we can help. I want to touch somebody's life like that."
Mazzotta agreed.
"Seeing different locations, helping people - that's the way that I live," he said. "I urge other people to do the same."
That is, of course, unless they're leaving to build houses in Honduras two days later.
From May 10 to May 22, six Eastern students and two faculty members are going to Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras, to work alongside local community members and build affordable houses for people in need, according to Brian Perry, Student Life's assistant director of community service and student engagement and a trip participant.
"This is a great opportunity for students to give back and experience another culture," Perry said. "It's a great way to travel and get a more in-depth experience."
The trip is a part of Habitat for Humanity International's Global Village program, which builds houses in impoverished nations worldwide.
Perry said he played a large role in organizing the trip through Eastern's Alternative Break Program, which has expanded into the summer for the first time and is going overseas for the first time.
"I'm excited not only for the new program, but also to see the response it's gotten … it makes the effort of putting it together worthwhile," Perry said.
For volunteers, the trip won't be all hard labor.
The trip itinerary includes visits to the Copan Mayan Ruins and local hot springs -- and even a visit to the canopy zip line scheduled for the only weekend during the trip.
In addition, Perry said volunteers would have afternoons and evenings to "explore the city."
Mike Mazzotta, a freshman chemistry major from Louisville and trip participant, said community service was a big part of his life. Mazzotta also participated in an Alternative Spring Break in Charleston, S.C., earlier this semester.
"I was really into that trip," he said. "It got me pumped about this one."
Angie Carter, a senior biology major from Charleston, W.Va., said she is looking forward to many aspects of the trip, including the weekend off in Honduras.
"I'm so excited about the zip line," she said. "As soon as Brian (Perry) said 'zip line,' I was like, 'Oh yeah, we're doing that!'"
But Carter said she knows it's not all fun and games and is looking forward to making a real difference.
"It always feels good to give back to somebody else," she said. "We may not communicate well and may not know what they're going through, but we can help. I want to touch somebody's life like that."
Mazzotta agreed.
"Seeing different locations, helping people - that's the way that I live," he said. "I urge other people to do the same."
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