Thirteen Loyola University students will sleep on the floor for 22 days during their trip to Belize.

“One major challenge for each of us on the trip is to raise $1300 personally,” said Rebecca Gardner, marketing junior.

“Despite the difficulty of raising the money,” Gardner said, “This incredible opportunity that I have been invited to be a part of has helped me to grow (along) with the other volunteers to accomplish the common task of helping (those) in need.”

The 13 volunteers will work with the local community and several Belizean students from a local junior college to run a two-week summer camp in Dangriga, Belize.

A group of 300 kids from two local primary schools will attend the camp.

The kids will learn about arts and crafts, reading and writing in the morning. In the evening, they will enjoy some fun in the sun, while playing volleyball, soccer and basketball.

At the end of camp days, the Ignacio volunteers will participate in “action reflection.”
“We do the work in the morning and in the evening, either by ourselves or with the Belizeans, we talk about the camp, what we’re thinking or feeling, and processing the whole experience,” said the Rev. Ted Dziak, vice president of Mission and Ministry. “I think its part of learning experience.”

The Ignacio Volunteers will also experience “very simple living.”

“We will be staying in a community center, which is basically one big room. We will be sleeping on the floor and hand-washing our clothes,” said Dziak.

Despite the living conditions, Greg Fontenot, finance and pre-med senior, enjoyed his experience during the 2007 Belize summer trip and plans to attend the 2009 trip.

“While in Belize, in the midst of exotic plants and animals, hidden water holes and a maze of dirt roads and thatched huts, I gained a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature,” said Fontenot.

Aside from living in Dangriga, the students will learn first-hand about everyday life in the Mayan villages, where running water and electricity are not generally available.

Fontenot said that being isolated from most forms of technology allowed him to reflect on his experiences, his relationship with God and how he could live his life to the fullest potential.

Dziak, the founder of Ignacio Volunteers, said, “The idea behind (the trip) is for students to spend a short period of time in a foreign country doing service. But, more than just doing service, there is an educational value.”

“It’s a great experience. You get to know each other well and you get to know the culture well and you get to do some good things.”

Ignacio Volunteers sponsors four programs, where students can participate in service abroad.

According to Dziak, they are looking to develop other programs. Currently, they are discussing a possible Haiti program and looking to work at the Mexican border with the immigration population.

Kieu Tran can be reached at [email protected].