Bryant students give of themselves to help others

Bryant students are volunteering in the Dominican Republic and Washington, D.C., during Spring Break.

A group of Bryant students are forgoing a week of fun in the sun to take part in an eye-opening learning experience. Five students are in the Dominican Republic teaching computer skills and basic English to the local people. Another cadre of students is in Washington, D.C., volunteering with different community organizations through Bryant's annual Alternative Spring Break (ASB).

The trip to the Dominican Republic is Bryant's first international service learning project. Maria Acosta '09 (Garnerville, NY), Maria Carranza '11 (Worcester, MA), Andrew Lazouras '11 (Barrington, RI), Hector Paulino '11 (Central Falls, RI), John Supinski '11 (Acton, ME), and Toby Simon, director of Bryant's Women's Center, are spending the week in the small fishing village of Guayacanes.

"I believe giving back brings out the best in us," says Paulino.

Closer to home, 14 students and four staff members are volunteering with Food & Friends, Little Sisters of the Poor, and St. Anthony's School as part of Bryant's annual Alternative Spring Break trip to our nation's capitol.

"I feel as though I have been given so much, and it is only right for me to give some part of that back to someone who could really use it," says Mark Barry '10 (Barrington, RI), who went on Bryant's ASB trip last year.

Education in action

The idea for the trip to the Dominican came about following a presentation Simon made to the Globalization and Childhood class of Associate Professor of Sociology Sandra Enos. The students chose to do an in-depth project on the Dominican Republic that focused on the challenges of growing up in a developing country.

In the Dominican, they are working with a foundation that prepares the locals to get jobs in tourist areas not far from Guayacanes. The Bryant students are also teaching them computer skills on laptops that the University will donate.

They will also spend time on a batay - a small community built around a sugar plantation inhabited by poor Dominicans and who work in the field - teaching teenagers basic English.

(L-R) Maria Carranza '11 (Worcester, MA), Maria Acosta '09 (Garnerville, NY), Andrew Lazouras '11 (Barrington, RI), Director of Bryant's Women Center Toby Simon, Hector Paulino '11 (Central Falls, RI), John Supinski '11 (Acton, ME).

"I believe that the experience will deepen the students' learning and make clear connections between classroom lessons and the larger world," says Enos, who traveled with Simon to the Dominican Republic over winter break to finalize plans for the week.

"The possibilities for developing partnerships between Bryant and the village of Guayacanes are endless," says Simon, who regularly volunteers in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. "This is a very exciting time for Bryant and another great example of the collaboration between academic affairs and student life."

"Best feeling in the world"

Acosta understands first-hand the impact a trip like this can have. She traveled to New Orleans last January to help in the rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"These are the types of experiences that stay with you forever," she says. "The best feeling in the world is that you had the opportunity to help someone without asking for anything in return."

"In class, we learned about the needs of the people in the Dominican and now we can actually do something to address them," adds Carranza.

Supinski is looking forward to broadening his horizons on his first trip out the country.

"Part of the Bryant experience is developing an understanding of the world outside of the United States," he says. "By traveling to the Dominican, I can gain a global perspective and help people in need."

A little effort makes a major difference

In Washington, D.C., students will spend the mornings delivering meals to people afflicted with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and HIV/AIDS through the nonprofit organization Food and Friends. In the afternoons, they will interact with elderly patients at Little Sisters of the Poor and help children with their homework at the St. Anthony's School afterschool program.

Each day will end with students gathering to talk about their experiences. On their final day, the students will be able to explore the city.

Nicholas Kraver '11 (West Springfield, MA) says he is excited to work with the youngsters. "Even though we will only be there for a few days, I hope we can leave a lasting impression on them."

Kelsey Mann '10 (Windham, ME) says the ASB is one of the many programs at Bryant that helps students learn more about their role in society. "Community service is not something you can replicate in the classroom, yet it is critical to understanding the world we live in," she says.

An eye opener

Last summer, Lauren Lastrina '11 (Peterborough, NH) took part in Bulldogs Building Bridges, a Bryant-sponsored, weeklong community service project in Providence. She will never forget the gratitude on the faces of those she helped.

"Everyone was so appreciative," says Lastrina, who is part of the group volunteering in Washington, D.C. "It really opened my eyes to the needs of the community."

Michael Jasinski '11 (East Freetown, MA) says giving back is a good way to create a healthy balance in your life in between school, work, and co-curricular commitments.

"The great thing about community service is that you can make a huge difference in someone else's life through your efforts," says Jasinski, who is participating in the ASB for the second year in a row. "Being able to see the smiles you bring to people makes it all worthwhile."