An energetic and caring group from Glenville State College will be heading to the Dominican Republic in May for a week of volunteer work. Eleven GSC students and GSC Student Activities Director Kipp Colvin will be spending the week of May 23-30 working at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic.
Originally the trip was being planned by senior Tashua Allman and her boyfriend Karl Duval. When friends of the couple learned about the trip, they too wanted to volunteer. The group quickly grew to a dozen young people who desired to make a difference in the lives of some needy children.
Allman, who in the future hopes to work for the Peace Corps, is spearheading the trip through Orphanage Outreach. Established in 1995, Orphanage Outreach endeavors to provide opportunities to orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children. Over 6,000 short term volunteers have worked for the organization since its beginning. âI wanted to experience what it would be like to do this kind of work. I am really interested in working for the Peace Corps, and I need to find out if I can handle some of the sacrifices that volunteers must be willing to make,â said Allman.
In addition to Allman and Duval, the GSC group includes students: Sarah Suan, Joanna Lamp, Roberta Radcliff, Tiffany Frame, Sonja Meadows Hartshorn, Caroline Harris, Katrina Fitzwater, Glenn Williams, and Alyssa Hickman. Allman is the only senior among the group that is already talking about trying to make this an annual trip. âI am hoping to make a difference in a little boyâs life down there. I hope I will come back with a different perspective on life. I have never been out of the country and I canât wait to go. I am confident that if we all work together we will be able to raise the money we need to go,â said Joanna Lamp. Karl Duval is excited about the trip as well. âI have always loved to help people. I believe that I can give these kids something, and I am certain that I will also learn from them,â he said.
While in the Dominican Republic, the volunteers will primarily be focused on teaching English in the local schools. They will also be involved in some building, farming, and child care all while pretty much roughing it with no running hot water and sleeping on cots.
Not only are the students volunteering their time and efforts, but they must also pay their own way. Each person is required to pay $500 plus air fare to participate. The group is planning all sorts of fund-raising activities including dinners and raffles. They will also graciously accept any donations to their cause. Donations, noted for the âorphanage tripâ, can be made to the GSC Foundation, 200 High Street, Glenville, West Virginia, 26351. They will also be collecting a variety of items to take with them for the orphanage including food, household items, clothing and shoes, educational needs, sports and recreation equipment, and health and hygiene items. A complete list of needs can be found at www.orphanage-outreach.org. Donated items can be dropped off to Kipp Colvin in the Student Activities office, suite 320 in the Mollohan Campus Community Center. The group is also planning to place collection boxes around campus.
The group is meeting weekly to plan their trip and work on fund-raising. Allman, a Spanish minor, and Duval, a first generation American whoâs family is Peruvian, both speak Spanish, and are helping the rest of the group learn some conversational Spanish during their meetings.
For more information about the trip to the Dominican Republic or to make a donation, contact Kipp Colvin at (304) 462-7361 ext. 7412 or kipp.colvin@glenville.edu.
