Lena Childress's Fundraiser
International Service-Immersion Experiences
32%
funded
$550
raised
$1,700
goal
2
donors
0
days left
Lena Childress
Hello family, friends, and new friends!
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Lena Childress and I am a Junior at Canisius College, studying Biology, Psychology, Sociology, and Neuroscience.
Two summers ago, I embarked on the greatest journey of my life. Through my school's Campus Ministry department, myself and nine other Canisius College students traveled to Jamaica for a service-immersion trip. We worked in Kingston at the Marcus Garvey Basic School where we built a garden, painted around the grounds, and taught lessons to the young school children. We also worked at various orphanages and community centers throughout the city. After several days in Kingston we moved in to rural Jamaica. We spent time in Braes River working on a food security farm, and being in solidarity with the people of the small village. My time in Jamaica challenged my prejudice views on the world, grounded me with perspective, and guided me to my greater calling in life, advocating against injustice.
I have been offered the amazing opportunity to lead the trip in June of 2016. Service-Immersion trips require a great amount of preparation including reading books and watching films on the issues the country faces, and of course, financing our travel. The cost for my trip is $1700, and while I am doing everything I can to make this experience possible, I would greatly appreciate any donation.
Thank you so much!
Peace,
Lena
About this Campaign
Lena Childress
Offered through the Office of Campus Ministry, these experiences challenge and inspire students to be men and women with and for others.
2016 Service-Immersion Experiences
The purpose of Canisius College’s Service-Immersion experiences, offered through the Office of Campus Ministry, is to increase student awareness of the world. These trips encourage students to grow in solidarity with the people of the world, especially the poor. Students will challenge themselves to live simply, to value relationships, to engage their faith and spirituality and to dig for the truth behind injustices of society.
Youth in Jamaica
During this two-week service trip, students will delve into the poorest sections of Jamaica to meet and learn from the people there. In partnership with Franciscan Ministries, students will work with children – both in Kingston and in rural Jamaica.
War, Peace, and the Pursuit of Justice in El Salvador
Students participating in this service-immersion experience will witness the reality of people's lives in El Salvador (50% of the population lives in poverty and continues to experience violence through escalating human rights) and explore the complexities of social justice, international politics and Catholic students.
Summer Camps for At-Risk Children in Poland
Canisius students will partner together with Polish university students to form small "families" in which they will live alongside a group of at-risk children. Students will be responsible for morning English lessons, organizing large scale games at the camp (think World Cup!) and doing a dance performance on stage every night.
Magis / World Youth Day (WYD) in Poland
In conjunction with WYD, the Jesuits will be running a service-immersion program called Magis, where 2,000-3,000 students from Jesuit schools across the world will come to Poland in advance of WYD. Students will be split up into “global teams” and sent out for a week of service or pilgrimage walks throughout Eastern Europe. After their immersion experience, teams will reunite with their school teams in Łódź for reflection and mass with the Superior General of the Jesuits!
Untouchability in India
In India, students will visit orphanages, human rights centers, village leaders, writers, lawyers, priests and other key figures who will educate them about the reality of the Dalit struggle for justice. Students will also spend time teaching English lessons at the boarding school.
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