UMPI students fundraise for service learning trip to Tanzania

    PRESQUE ISLE — A group of women connected with the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s social work program are more than halfway to their goal of raising $12,000 for a spring service learning trip to Moshi, Tanzania, and they’re looking for community support to successfully complete their fundraising efforts.
    Four UMPI social work students — Abbey Atcheson, Kelsey Albert, Nicole Michaud and Ashley Brewer — along with UMPI alumna Jen Borden and Husson University student Paige Nichols, will be traveling with Shirley Rush, associate professor of social work and bachelor of social work program director, to Tanzania in May of 2011 for the service learning trip of a lifetime.
    During the trip, which runs from May 27 to June 12, the participants will have the opportunity to do service learning work where their abilities will be matched up with community needs. Service learning is not the same as volunteer work; it involves significant academic preparation and personal reflection. Service learning opportunities in Tanzania include working in an orphanage, assisting teachers, working with people who have HIV/AIDS, working with people with disabilities and working with women in the area of economic development. Participants will receive their assignments prior to their departure.
    “The question most frequently asked of our participants is ‘Why Tanzania? Don’t we have people in need in the US and Canada?’” Rush said. “Indeed, many opportunities for service exist on our continent. All those who are enrolled BSW students at UMPI are required to complete 700 hours of supervised field placement with people in need. Participants in this program are motivated beyond the classroom experience to travel, to make friendships, to set goals, to sacrifice and to promote community. Traveling to another country or continent adds a transformational dimension to each participant’s understanding of culture, need and privilege.”
    For more information about the trip to Tanzania or about fundraising efforts, contact Shirley Rush at 768-9427 or shirley.rush@umpi.edu.