Kellie Harlow of Woodbridge, VA Spent Spring Break Serving Others

2013 Mar 11

Kellie Harlow of Woodbridge spent spring break serving others as part of James Madison University's Alternative Spring Break program. Harlow, a junior modern foreign languages major, traveled to Quetxaltenango, Guatemala to volunteer at Entremundos.

The group worked on three major projects while in Guatemala: helping with greenhouse construction, working on a local reforestation project and working with a local nutritional education program for children in the community. The group helped prepare the kids healthy snacks as well as played with the kids during school. The group traveled only with a light backpack of personal belongings and filled their checked baggage with donations for the people of Guatemala.

The student-led ASB trips, scheduled for March 2-9, are each based on a social issue such as homelessness, environmentalism or community wellness. Over 300 students embarked on 30 spring break trips around the country and world. The students spend the week living simply, focused on service in their destination community but also on teamwork and reflection within their group.

For information about JMU's Alternative Break Program, including an interactive map showcasing past service trips and Community Service-Learning, check out http://www.jmu.edu/service/.