This was an exciting last day of class both in terms of planning and reflection!! First, we are still waiting to hear back from Karen on behalf of Hope for Honduran Children regarding our decision to partner in a capacity that does not include taking on the Transition Home in Casa Noble. After thoughtful discussion we have decided it is not our most feasible option and instead are still brainstorming our contributions to the partnership, in addition to ongoing Pen Pal correspondence and being English language friends. English language friends is a sustainable idea since we are already fundraising for English classes for the boys, we might as well also enable them to practice and allow us to see how they are progressing as we work together. We filmed a Christmas/Holiday video to send back to the boys of Casa Noble, which we recorded in Spanish and are in talks about trying to find a way to send our pen pal letters at more frequent intervals.
Transition Home Happy Holidays!
Also, this week we heard a report back from the group who had a Skype call with Maggie about our future work with Summit in Honduras. Maggie was very positive and encourages more email correspondence between our organizations. In terms of a partnership, Maggie was enthusiastic that instead of beginning new, large-scale projects it would be better for us to focus on smaller, existing projects to make them more sustainable, perhaps an art project or something along those lines. We are excited to increase communications in the near future and cement a project soon early next semester.
Our third partner is LUPE and after our dinner meeting at Mex/Am we have already begun brainstorming how to work between our groups as well as encourage community outreach efforts through involvement of other members in the Elon and Alamance community. First, Olga, a member of LUPE, has a 15 year old daughter named Jacqueline that is very adamant about needing tutors for various classes, including math, biology, and chemistry. Jenna is working with the Education and Teaching departments on campus to hopefully being an ASL class where students can volunteer to tutor beyond middle school, and now into high schools of need. After break we plan to continue working on this educational betterment initiative and are excited after the very positive feedback we received from members of LUPE.
In terms of the CSR Summit for next year, rather than the Fall we feel it will be most feasible if instead it takes place Spring 2016, so we can first focus on implementing and planning with our partners and by the time the Summit comes to fruition the entire class will be back together. Also, we will return to class in the spring with SMART goals drafted over Winter Break and will determine candidates for the 3 Pan-Periclean committees.
Lastly, we were lucky enough to hear about Savannah and Caroline’s abroad experience in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. They shed some light on the very interesting political and cultural climate in those Central American regions with eye-opening first-hand accounts and provocative questions about the gaps in our US education system, in terms of education about our government’s past involvement in warfare and mass atrocity. They compelled us to understand the differences in relationship between citizens and their authority, the mixed feelings of indigenous peoples with a colorful history and pattern of violence and variety of framing various issues have received throughout history. Looking into the Sandino-era reign in Nicaragua and the CAFTA agreements would really aid in a well-informed discussion about Central America and US relations. Thank you everyone for your hard work this semester and have an incredibly restful Winter Vacation!!
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