The Guatemala Group

Each year, a select group of Bellarmine students are chosen to participate in a spring break trip to Guatemala. This is not a typical spring break trip; it is not about having fun, relaxing, or partying. This trip is about service, it is a chance for students to broaden their world view, to see first hand what the term “third world country” means and what life there is like. It is a chance to try and effect change, even if only within yourself.

This year thirty-five students, led by Bob and Dotti Lockhart, will travel to Guatemala where they will work in a community by building, repairing, painting, distributing food and clothing, and getting to know the people of the community. The group, though Bellarmine associated, will travel and work under Hearts In Motion (H.I.M.). H.I.M. is an organization that has worked to provide care and medical treatment for communities, and opportunities for individuals to participate in mission experiences throughout Guatemala for more than ten years. However, this does not men that H.I.M. covers the cost of the trip for participants, as travel, transportation, and lodging for the ten day experience will cost about $1500 dollars per person.

Since this is a service learning experience though, participants are not asked to pay the cost themselves, but rather to raise it. This year, each group member is asked to raise about $850 each by themselves and then the remainder by participating in group fundraisers. The individual funds will be raised by sending letters to family and friends, and the group funds raised through events held at and around Bellarmine.

Right now, the group is collecting donations of clothes, toys, furniture, books, and knick-knacks for their annual garage sale. This is their biggest fundraiser, and always promises an abundance of good deals for Bellarmine students and community members alike. This year the sale will be held in Frazier Hall on January 27, from 6:00am until about 1:00pm. If you can’t make it to the yard sale, make an effort to contribute to attend one of their other events next semester. If you are too busy to attend an event, find a group member and give them a donation – every bit helps. More than that though, it lets the group, and the university, know that the Bellarmine community supports the group, the trip, and all that they represent.