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Trip Destination: Belize City, Belize, Central America. Trip Dates: Approximately 7, 8 or 9 days toward the end of winter break 2009-10. Coordinating Organizations: Boston College Campus Ministry, in collaboration with Hand in Hand Ministries, an organization that has hosted Boston College delegations for many years (http://www.hhministries.com/Belize-Programs.html). |
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Hand in Hand Ministries Philosophy: Hand in Hand Ministries is an international human services organization that seeks to make Christ present in the world through service to the poor, especially abandoned and disabled children. We believe that all people deserve life¹s essentials - food, water, clothing, shelter, education and medical care - and that we are called by Christ to help provide them. Trip Itinerary: Program participants travel to Belize City where they work with Hand in Hand Ministries, an agency that serves the poorest of the poor by providing the basic necessities of food, shelter, and love. While engaging and accompanying the local community, participants participate in building a home, along with the family who will live in the home, through Hand in Hand Ministry’s “Building for Change” program. Additionally, participants spend time at a center for AIDS and HIV-positive children. Participants also learn about the larger context within which the country of Belize is situated. They attend presentations and engage in discussions on the social, economic, political, and spiritual issues which have affected and continue to effect Belize. During the trip, participants must expect to live simply. They likely will eat food that is not always familiar or plentiful, sleep in beds or other places that are often less comfortable than they might be accustomed to, bathe rarely, and experience limited personal space. Prayer, reflection, journaling, and sharing with each other are core aspects of this experience before, during, and after the trip. Each participant is expected to share about her/his faith, in all of its joys and struggles, and to explore how faith, and the gifts they have been given, connect to living in solidarity with the Poor. Language Proficiency Required: Although being able to speak Creole is useful while on the trip, applicants do not need to be able to speak any language other than English to participate in this program. Safety: Boston College Campus Ministry seriously considers the U.S. Department of State’s published statements regarding public safety in a potential host country. For travel-related information and recommendations published by the U.S. Department of State, please check the U.S. Department of State’s website: http://www.state.gov/travel/. Health/Immunizations: Boston College Campus Ministry requests that participants seriously consider protecting themselves before traveling outside of the U.S. with the immunizations and other preventative measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). For more information, please check the CDC’s website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/regionCentralAmerica.aspx. | |
