|
|
|
Rachna Turakhia, a first-year Trinity student, helps with the renovation of a Cherokee Nation school during spring break.
|
SAN ANTONIO March 20, 2008 - Five Trinity students are spending spring break volunteering with a Cherokee community in Tahlequah, Okla.
The students are taking part in the Cherokee Nation’s Community Development Volunteer Program, which is designed to place guest volunteers in Cherokee communities. The program allows volunteers to share in the revitalization of local communities, provide communities the opportunity to share Cherokee culture, and to empower communities to participate in self identified projects while building new and lasting relationships with individuals from other regions of the United States.
Participants of the program paint houses, take part in construction projects, assist elderly community members with yard work, tutor children, participate in community clean-up projects, and perform various other needs expressed by the community. Work is assigned based upon projects identified by the host community and the skill level of volunteers. The Trinity students joined students from six other colleges, including Vanderbilt University and the University of Florida.
“This program is a great way to do something good for a community on spring break," said Rachna Turakhia, a first year Trinity student from Lake Jackson, Texas. "We appreciate the chance to help out and visit this community." Coordinating the first-of-its kind trip for Trinity students was Katie Jundt, coordinator for Greek life in the Office of Campus & Community Involvement. They worked on the old Owen School building which will serve as a community center.
Mary Mead, volunteer coordinator with Cherokee Nation, expressed appreciation for the Trinity volunteers’ service and said she hopes they gain a better understanding of the Cherokee people and their rich culture.
Warren Hawk, Cherokee Nation volunteer field specialist, said the college students enhance the concept of self-help and are a motivating factor for communities to continue the projects long after the volunteers are gone.
“These volunteers help to create a sense of unity within a community because the community must come together to coordinate and organize the work projects," Mr. Hawk said. "I have to commend the volunteers for their hard work." |
