 Brittany Borstad, Melissa Simmermaker, Molly McGillivray, Danielle Brown, Alexandria Caskey, Jana Matthes, Suzanne Hess, Jayme Shelby and Angela Sarvis |
Professors Dr. Sally Beisser and Dr. Shelley Fairbairn spent their spring break in Belize with a team of undergraduate and graduate students as well as an OIT staff member. “Team Belize” volunteered in Holy Cross Primary School where most students lack electricity, running water and sanitation. The Drake team took suitcases full of needed supplies such as paper, markers, books, games, puzzles, toys, spoons, cups and even a sewing machine and fabric! They spent time in classrooms working with teachers and children. They hiked Mayan ruins and enjoyed snorkeling in a marine reserve as part of a team-building experience. One student said, “This trip was life changing for me! I am so happy and grateful that I had the chance to go. I have realized that teaching really is my calling in life. I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher but until this trip I could never really explain to anyone why I wanted to teach. Now I know!”