Bridges to Community 2017 Service Learning Trip

Bridges To Community

Bridges to community is a not-for-profit organization that sends participants to rural regions of Nicaragua to work on a community development project over spring break. Last year, Cornell University’s chapter built 2 latrines and 2 stoves during our stay, working side by side with local community members. In past years we have helped build schools, homes, and hospitals. Each year our projects impact Nicaraguans at an individual and community level.

The core values of Bridges to Community are shared work, community empowerment, sustained impact, and transformation. Bridges to Community is passionate about helping to lay the foundation in underdeveloped communities that will bring significant changes to the quality of life to the community members. 

Cornell’s Chapter of Bridges to Community is comprised of 15 individuals, who feel that this trip will not only help a developing community, but will also create genuine relationships with people half-way across the world. By working side by side with the locals, the Cornell volunteers learn the value of cooperation and community. The students who go on the trip return feeling that they have gained much more from the experience than other service trips  because we focus on working and living together with the community members.

The Team:

The Current members of Bridges to Community come from a variety of majors and nationalities. Last year we had students from Nutritional Sciences, Applied Physics, Developmental Sociology, Hospitality, Food Science, and Civil Engineering. There is no average member, we are all unique and enjoy the differing perspectives of the world around us. Attending the trip has been so eye-opening that a few students who participated last year have changed their majors, or taken up a minor because o the experience. Following the trip, the volunteers often remain close and reminisce about their time abroad that created an everlasting friendship.

Questions:

How will my donation be used?

Transportation is the primary cost for the trip. Leaving from Ithaca and arriving to Managua, Nicaragua requires bus transportation to New York City. From New York City, we then need to take a plane to Managua, Nicaragua with a layover in Miami. From Managua we take another smaller plane to Siuna and another bus to arrive at the work site. This traveling will take more than a day, requiring that we stay in a hotel before even arriving at the site.

Another major expense to the trip is the standard program fee. The cost of food while at the site, cost of the translators to work along side us on the project and guide us in Nicaragua, cost of building supplies and health precautions (such as mosquito nets) are just some of the things covered by the program fee.

Where can I find out more about this project?

Anyone on the E-Board for the Cornell chapter of Bridges to Community would be happy to answer any questions you have about the project. You can contact co-president Jenna Bensko at jb2342@cornell.edu, and Victoria Biancavilla at vab58@cornell.edu.

Learn more about our parent organization at https://bridgestocommunity.org/