Arlington Heights Native to Partake in Guatemalan Service Trip
Date: January 26, 2018
Contact: Rabbi Abie Ingber 513-745-3780
Local Student to Serve Medical and Spiritual Needs of
Guatemalan Village
CINCINNATI - From March 3 through March 11, 2018, 12 Xavier University pre-health students will travel and immerse themselves in the Mayan culture of Guatemala. Since 2010, the Center for Interfaith Community Engagement, founded by Rabbi Abie Ingber, has been running this annual week long Medical Service Trip during spring break. The students will be accompanied by two staff members from the Center and five medical professionals - including two nurses, a pharmacist, an internal medicine physician, and a pediatrician. While there, the team of students and professionals will help to establish a self-sustaining, community-based healthcare clinic, which will treat over 300 patients during the course of the week.
Shannon Cunningham, a graduate of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL has been selected from a pool of 80 well-qualified applicants for their outstanding character and determination to serve others. The journey to Guatemala will be a service trip of a lifetime for the few applicants selected and will exemplify Xavier's mission of creating men and women for and with others.
Although the students will be in a warm, sunny climate, this will be no spring break. Instead, the students will spend the week serving those in San Lucas, Guatemala.
"The learning curve, the experiential growth, and the community building strength of our students' commitment to the healing professions and service are the hallmarks of this trip. Our spiritual dimension and the Jesuit values we bring enhance our offering." says Rabbi Ingber.
Prior to the trip to Guatemala, the team spends months training and learning how to handle events that they may encounter during the trip. Historically, the funds for the trip have been generated through student fundraising efforts and donations. By no means is this trip free; Ingber estimates the group needs around $50,000 to fly, feed, and house 19 travelers for one week. To help the team reach Guatemala to care for those in need, your help is greatly appreciated. For more information about the trip or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.xavier.edu/interfaith/support. Please call 513-745-3569 with questions.
Founded at Xavier University by Rabbi Abie Ingber in 2008, The Center for Interfaith Community Engagement moves beyond tolerance to celebration on and off Xavier's campus. By building bridges among diverse groups of people and encouraging others to do so, the Center provides many opportunities for education in the community. For more information about the mission and identity of the Center, go to http://www.xavier.edu/interfaith.