Thanking our Community Partners

Our blog for 2016 would not be complete without special thanks to our International Community Partners; the Chan Chen Elementary Government School.

All of the our students appreciated the time we shared with you.  Teaching Easter Break camp was a highlight because it introduced us to your community your most precious members, your children.  The smiles, warmth, questions and energy of the children at your school made an impression that our students will not forget.  Sadie said - “Our trip to Belize enabled me to see the world in a new light; I loved being immersed in a different culture. The children in Chan Chen helped me understand that true happiness cannot be found through material means.”

As the students worked together to complete the cantina that was started last year they learned so many valuable lessons about teamwork, and construction in Belize.  Kendall said "I gained the experience of creating plans and constructing them."  Carl added, “I learned there is a major difference between Engineering Theory, and Engineering Practice. There is also a huge value in real construction experience over a theory of how it should be.”

I truly received amazing the feedback from our students about their experience with you.  When the students came home they wrote several reflections about their experience, and these conversations would not have be as deep without your support and guidance in their learning. They also were required to write up initial community assessments and describe how their discipline could contribute to future solutions for intl communities, and the partners they would need in order to complete any sort of project.  Their time with you made all of these experiences possible  - Thank you!

A poster the students created with some of of their reflections is displayed below.

There are many other people we would like to thank for assisting with our group on site and the permissions we need to implement this International Service Learning Project.  

They include but are not limited to:  
Carol Babb and the Belizean Ministry of Education

Carlos Itzab and Ms. Escalante, the principle and vice principle of Chan Chen Elementary School, and the teachers at Chan Chen who serve this community every day.
  
The children of Chan Chen who welcome us and open their hearts.

Department of Youth Services

Mrs. Magana and the Community Health workers who conducted an official Community Health Fair while we were visiting Chan Chen.

Alberto!

The owners and all of the staff at Hok'ol Kin Guest House.
& the whole town of Corozal.

Sharon Matola and all of the wonderful staff at the Belize zoo

Steve Darr, Beth Wright, and all of the Peacework staff who worked to ensure we were fed, had cool water, safe transportation, and a place to rest our heads.

All of the people at Boise State who give their approval and ongoing support.

Our Provost Office
Our Deans, Directors, and Chairs

Vickie Stieha - Foundational Studies Program
Andrew Finstuen - Honors Program
Corrine Henke, Ami Tain - International Learning Opportunities Office
Kara Braschia and Mike Stefancic - Service Learning

and last but in no way the least
Cara Walker - and the Boise State Foundation 
who offered their support and resources so we could raise funds needed to complete our projects.
&
All of our generous donors!