Andrea Sobczyk Service Trip
Rockhurst Student's Service Trip: Beautiful Places, Amazing Lessons, Incredible People
(Last fall, the Plaza Club's International Service Committee gave $325 to Andrea Sobczyk, a Rockhurst University senior from Omaha, NE to pay 50% of her out-of-pocket expenses for a service trip to the Dominican Republic. More than 90 Rockhurst students will be making international service trips this school year to various Latin American countries. The University has conducted the service trips for about 15 years. Here is Andrea's report on her experience. The students participating in the service trip are shown in the photo.)
This spring break I traveled to the Dominican Republic with 12 other Rockhurst students. Working with the Institute of Latin American Concern, my group journeyed to a campo called Las Cruces on a mountain two hours outside of Santiago. There we spent the next five days building two latrines, laying two cement floors, and planting over 2,000 coffee plants. While it was gratifying knowing we were helping the community accomplish some of their dreams, the best part was simply living in solidarity with the residents of the campo.
I lived with an older couple, Consuelo and Augustine. I can speak very little Spanish and my host parents didn’t speak any English. Trying to communicate often looked like a game of charades more than a conversation, but despite our lack of words the love I felt from these strangers was real. Every time I walked into the house, my return was celebrated with hugs and kisses. By the first night Consuelo called me hija, daughter, and by the second night, she began telling me she loved me as she kissed my cheek before bed. My host parents never needed to know anything about me in order to accept me. They loved me unconditionally from the moment I stepped into their lives. They taught me what real love is. It isn’t something that is rationed; rather, it is given freely and without conditions or expectations. (At right, Andrea with a new friend, Esaurie)
I saw so many beautiful places, learned so many amazing lessons, and met incredible people, but none of it would have been possible without the support of the Plaza Rotary Club. Thank you, Rotarians! -- Andrea Sobczyk