An Educator's Reflection:

From the perspective of an educator, there are only so many things that can be done to emphasize the nature of volunteerism in a classroom. Sometimes the best lessons are not taught in a classroom, they are lived through first hand experience. It is impossible to teach how humbling it is to live a deprived life in hopes of enhancing another without actually doing so. For this reason, our Habitat for Humanity trip has served a greater purpose than it's intended mission of simply building a house. Ask the participants about their experience and they will tell you of the hard work and camaraderie that developed. We came together with a common goal in mind and through that goal we learned more about each other than we ever could from within the walls of Stevenson Campus.

To outside observers, let this be a warning of what you will encounter in school this week with the "slack-jaws," the "honey I love you but I will not smile for you," the faces of Vivian and Javain, the Jamaican-Virginian accents, the incessant story-telling, the "It's Akosua," or wearing the orange t-shirts we love so much. There is little that stands between a group of dedicated volunteers and their common goal so try to understand. :)

It is with great pride that we return to our spring semester with opened eyes and humbled hearts. I can only hope that this has changed the 17 participants to pursue their goals with the same ferocity we witnessed during our Habitat experience.

Thanks Habitat for Humanity and Trinity UMC, Uncle Lee School for Community Research and Learning