DC Students Build Two Homes in Jamaica

Fifteen Defiance College students recently spent time in Jamaica as part of a service trip. During the trip, the students built two homes in four days and visited a local children’s home.  Students are part of two scholarship groups, Bonner Leaders and Citizen Leaders, which actively participate in community service as well as off-campus, weeklong projects, either domestic or international.

Working with Christian Service International, the group divided into two teams, each building a small, two-room home. Jamaicans in need of housing submit an application to CSI. Each new house is a two-room, 10x20-foot structure costing about $2,000.

Participating students included: Shanna Chuenyane, Columbia, MD; Emily Darlington, West Jefferson; Jestin Davis, Edgerton; Joe DePasquale, Xenia; Rachel Flad, Groveport; Kristin Goldstein, Rocky Ridge; Kim Kline, Hicksville; Bethany Linn, Lagrange; Danyel Lipps, West Alexandria; Bailey Long, Haviland; Grant Phillips, Defiance; Andrea Slattery, Angola, IN; Mike Szuma, Trenton, MI; Greg Vogt, Eastlake; Kim Zura, Lakeside Marblehead.

The students were accompanied by Katie Litle, coordinator of McMaster Leadership Programs and David Kwan, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach/Faculty-Sport Science.

Defiance College is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate majors as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of engagement. U. S. News & World Report ranks Defiance in the top tier of comprehensive colleges in the Midwest. The college website is www.defiance.edu.

February 16, 2009