Border Experience for education and volunteerism

by Linsey Heiser news editor

While most Cabrini students will have left campus to head their different ways for summer vacation, eleven students, along with campus ministers, John DiMucci and Mary Laver will be educated by volunteering during during an encounter on the border.

The students will be taking place in the third annual Border Experience to the Texas/Mexico border to volunteer with the community members.

The trip, sponsored by Campus Ministry, will take place from May 22 until May 28. The students will spend the first half of the week in Juarez, Mexico and the second half of the week in El Paso, Texas.

According to Laver, the trip will be an opportunity to experience both a service as well as to learn because of the setting that is unfamiliar. want to travel, but I want to has taken place in previous years has been mainly dealt with housing, including building additions onto overcrowded houses. ceived a greant from the Missionary Sisters.Students, however, need to raise funds for the remainder of the cost. The trip will cost approximately $600 per student. be more than just a tourist. want to volunteer

"The focus of this trip, unlike Project Appalachia, is primarily for education and to learn about to the issues that the people living around the Texas/Mexico border face, including political, economic, moral and ethical issues.

The students will be housed at the Enunciation House on both sides of the border. The house is used to host immigrants from around who are looking for citizenship or asylum. Laver hopes for the students to talk with the immigrants and community members and hear their stories to learn more about the issues they deal with.

First-year student, Geronna Lewis, is excited to be attending· her first Border Experience.

Lewis has never been out of the United States and wants to help somewhere that she has never been.

Since many of the people living in the area receive very low wages below the cost of living, their homes are in need of renovations and they welcome all the help they are offered.

Students will also learn about the living conditions the people face. They will spend a full day living how the community members have to every day, including living without electricity.

A car wash will be held a car wash on Thursday, May 11 from 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in the Founders Hall driveway and will also be selling rafle tickets.

Although it istoo late to sign up for this year's Border Experience, Laver hopes that the students will use what they will learn and incoporate it into new activities that will be held during the fall semester and will welcome anyone.

Also, Lewis hopes to have interaction with people, including children just by being in El Paso and Juarez.

Some of the volunteer work that

To prepare for the trip, students are trying to learn some background of the culture. By reading, Lewis learned more about the Maquiladores, which are sweatshops, in Mexico.

The college has provided "seed money" to sponsor this project.

Campus Ministry has also re-

Cabrini College Border Experience Car Wash

If anyone is has any questions or is interested in participating in next year's Border Experience, they can contact Campus Ministry.

Take time out from your busy exam schedule next Thurday, May 11 from 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m

It will take place in the Founders Hall Driveway. Cars are $6.00 and Vans, Trucks, etc. are $8.00 All proceeds go to Campus Ministry Trip to the U.S./Mexico Border