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Feature
A small but meaningful step.
Byrum and Ian Davies, and Study Abroad Director Sara Friar facilitate the undergraduate experience. Nourish to Flourish has been deliberately integrated into on-going community efforts in Alto Cayma and on-going educational programs of the College to help ensure long-term stability. In keeping with the mission and goals of Nourish to Flourish, the process for developing the partnerships has been based on dialogue and interaction among the numerous and varied stakeholders in Peru and at the College.
Moe Baemmert, a junior Nursing major from Green Bay, describes the transformation that takes place with Nourish to Flourish. “I am going to miss that school so much. I already do,” she said. “I can’t imagine myself not seeing those kids’ faces every day. They have touched my life in such a different way than I could have ever expected. I could not always understand everything they were saying to me and they couldn’t always
understand me, but it didn't matter. We just understood each other in a different way. I know my work here isn’t done, it has only just begun. I am so happy I got this opportunity to help these children. But in truth, it wasn’t me that was helping them. They were helping me.” Chris Osowski, who will graduate in May 2013 with a BS in Nursing and Spanish, sees the program as an essential part of his education. “This experience has allowed me to put into practice the Dominican values emphasized throughout my education at Edgewood College,” he said. “As we become an increasingly interconnected and global community, a true understanding of the environmental and social problems facing our international neighbors cannot simply be taught within the confines of a classroom. Through this service-learning experience, I was able to confront these injustices firsthand while examining and clarifying my own established beliefs. I had the remarkable opportunity to meet many inspiring people and to work with dedicated colleagues passionate about the experience and committed to making a lasting difference.” In May 2013, students and faculty members from the College will return to Alto Cayma region, to continue to build on these efforts.
spring.13//Edgewood College magazine
In Spring 2012, a small interdisciplinary team of 6 students and faculty collaborated on pilot projects centered in two sites in Arequipa: the Virgen de Chapi elementary school, which serves 120 students and the Alto Cayma New Settlements supported by Father Alex Busuttil, founder and leader of the Alto Cayma Mission. The projects focused on environmental and energy sustainability, and included the simple planting of a school garden and tree nursery at Virgen de Chapi.
Professor Tim Kuhman confers with a staff member at the school.