When a group of 10 honors students traveled to Kingston, Jamaica, last week to help combat poverty and tackle infrastructure projects there, they were marking more than just another spring break.
In so doing, they were celebrating a partnership that has been built over as many years between the Jesup Scott Honors College (JSHC) and International Samaritan — an organization founded in Toledo to assist victims of severe poverty in developing countries alleviate hunger, homelessness and endemic disease.
Over spring break, the Jesup Scott Honors College sent a group of its students to Kingston, Jamaica, to help combat poverty and tackle infrastructure projects.
Over this decade, the program has taken nearly one hundred JSHC students on spring break service learning trips to communities in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Jamaica.
Dr. Ashley Pryor, an associate professor of philosophy, led this year’s group after guiding multiple others over the years to various International Samaritan sites.
“My role involves facilitating meaningful connections between our honors students and local scholars while ensuring our work aligns with community needs as well as International Samaritan’s mission of creating sustainable change through education,” Pryor said. “It is especially rewarding to take students who may have never even been on an airplane — let alone out of the country — experience a whole new world. This trip is especially eye-opening, as we experience both some very sad circumstances, but also so much happiness, and inspiring stories of everyday people overcoming amazing odds and lifting families out of poverty.”
Brendan Jucha, an honors student studying computer science and engineering as well as electrical engineering, made the trip to Jamaica this year for a second time.
“I was looking forward to showing some of my peers who did not go last time a whole different side of what it means to help someone,” Jucha said. “The experience is a such worthwhile way to spend spring break — I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. So much of it is meant to help people and make an impact on a community that is not our own.”
First-time trip participant Jaden Bollinger, an honors student studying history and political science, hoped to learn more about Jamaica, its culture and addressing international poverty.
The opportunity did not disappoint.
“Truly, this program helped break down barriers between cultures by having us work with Jamaican scholars, allowed us a unique access to new ways of thinking and gave us an unforgettable experience in a gorgeous location — all while serving those who need our help the most,” Bollinger said.
