Spring Break – Go Alternative

---

Every March, college students across the nation take refuge in a week of leisure, letting loose before the stress of final exams that May brings. For a select group, the weeklong R&R is used to do something extraordinary. 

Year after year, a number of San Diego State students scrap the sunscreen and surfboard to roll up their sleeves and head out into the community for an anything-but-average spring break. Below are the stories of a few SDSU students who will be packing their bags, and for some, even their passport, to lend a hand to a community in need.

Video Transcript

 

 

 

College Students for New Orleans: Making a House into a Home

The Details: 

• The purpose — Rebuilding homes for those left homeless by Hurricane Katrina
• Where: New Orleans
• Cost of the trip: $350 per volunteer – Fee includes airfare, food and board
• Donations are also being accepted – Every penny counts
• For more info: Contact Stephanie Buchanan at StudentsVolunteer@gmail.com
• Web site: http://StudentsVolunteer.googlepages.com.

“There is so much more work to be done there, and I felt that whatever I could do would help,” said SDSU junior Stephanie Buchanan.  Spring Break 2009 will be Buchanan’s fourth volunteer trip to New Orleans.  Her most recent travel was just this January, where she along with 37 students, helped construct new homes for those left homeless by Katrina.

“Over past trips, I’ve learned how much a single person’s efforts can make a difference in the life of a family and a community as a whole … it creates hope in a community.”

 

 

Global Brigades at SDSU Provides Clean Water to a Village

The Details:

• The purpose – Implementing a sustainable irrigation system that brings clean water to the rural village of Las Pajarillos, and decreases the chance of deaths related to water-borne illnesses
• Where: Honduras
• Cost of the trip: Airfare. Room and board provided.
• Donations are also being accepted – Every penny counts
• For more info: Contact Jimmy Camacho at camacho.jimmyt@gmail.com
• Web site: http://www.globalbrigades.org/page/about

“I actually jumped on the opportunity,” said SDSU senior Jimmy Camacho, of his decision to volunteer in Las Pajarillos in 2008.  Spring 2009 will be his second trip to the village.

“We can sometimes forget in the U.S. how fortunate we are to have simple things like water, medicine, and structured education,” said Camacho. “In working alongside the community leaders and children of Los Pajarillos, I learned about myself, what I could live with and without, and what is important in life: community, family, and support.”

 

 

Hillel of San Diego at SDSU

Call Hillel at (619) 583-6080 for the latest information on Alternative Spring Break 2009.