2008 Woodie Awards
ASB participants trade beach parties for volunteering
Jocelyn Wright
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News
"It was amazing because we communicated completely in Spanish and they were very, very responsive to what we had to say," Ennamuri said. "I know a lot of them got really enthusiastic with trying to take care of their health and making sure their kids would have the proper nutrition daily."
Wiess College senior Igor Gorlach, who was a site co-leader for the other trip to Mexico in San Miguel de Allende, said he also enjoyed working with members of the community. His group shadowed midwives to learn about different issues of reproductive health, helped out in clinics and listened to lectures by midwives and local politicians about health issues in the area. However, Gorlach said the trip was more than just work; they also played soccer, danced salsa, visited hot springs, ate authentic food and had a party with live Mexican music. Gorlach said although he did not speak any Spanish before the trip, he picked it up quickly when he was immersed in it over spring break.
"I probably had more fun on this trip than anyone who went on the beach with margaritas," Gorlach said. "It was definitely more fun than anything else I could have done."
Gorlach said this was his second time participating in ASB although it was his first time being a site leader. He said he learned a lot from both trips but that his favorite part was getting to know his fellow Rice students in these new circumstances.
Bonding in unconventional situations also happened at the ASB trip to Washington, D.C. Meg Goswami, a site leader for the Rice Women's Center trip to Washington, D.C., said her favorite part of her ASB trip was watching the group bond and get comfortable working with each other on the first day.
"It felt really great to watch everyone become friends with each other," Goswami, a Baker College junior, said. "At first it was kind of awkward because it was 14 people who didn't know each other, but after the first day people got really comfortable working at the women's shelter. It was just a really good bonding experience for all involved."
Goswami said volunteers on her trip did maintenance work and painted a mural in their dining room and interacted with the women.
"Basically we just involved ourselves with the day-to-day activities of the center and let them get to know how the place functions," Goswami said.
She said the trip was extremely rewarding once they arrived and everything fell into place, even though planning it was stressful at times.
"Figuring out the budget was probably my least favorite part, but it all worked out okay," Goswami said. "I want to be involved in the program again next year. This is the most fun spring break I've had in my memory, and I definitely want to be involved in the program again next year. I'd encourage everyone to do it as well."
Wiess College senior Igor Gorlach, who was a site co-leader for the other trip to Mexico in San Miguel de Allende, said he also enjoyed working with members of the community. His group shadowed midwives to learn about different issues of reproductive health, helped out in clinics and listened to lectures by midwives and local politicians about health issues in the area. However, Gorlach said the trip was more than just work; they also played soccer, danced salsa, visited hot springs, ate authentic food and had a party with live Mexican music. Gorlach said although he did not speak any Spanish before the trip, he picked it up quickly when he was immersed in it over spring break.
"I probably had more fun on this trip than anyone who went on the beach with margaritas," Gorlach said. "It was definitely more fun than anything else I could have done."
Gorlach said this was his second time participating in ASB although it was his first time being a site leader. He said he learned a lot from both trips but that his favorite part was getting to know his fellow Rice students in these new circumstances.
Bonding in unconventional situations also happened at the ASB trip to Washington, D.C. Meg Goswami, a site leader for the Rice Women's Center trip to Washington, D.C., said her favorite part of her ASB trip was watching the group bond and get comfortable working with each other on the first day.
"It felt really great to watch everyone become friends with each other," Goswami, a Baker College junior, said. "At first it was kind of awkward because it was 14 people who didn't know each other, but after the first day people got really comfortable working at the women's shelter. It was just a really good bonding experience for all involved."
Goswami said volunteers on her trip did maintenance work and painted a mural in their dining room and interacted with the women.
"Basically we just involved ourselves with the day-to-day activities of the center and let them get to know how the place functions," Goswami said.
She said the trip was extremely rewarding once they arrived and everything fell into place, even though planning it was stressful at times.
"Figuring out the budget was probably my least favorite part, but it all worked out okay," Goswami said. "I want to be involved in the program again next year. This is the most fun spring break I've had in my memory, and I definitely want to be involved in the program again next year. I'd encourage everyone to do it as well."
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