School of Civil & Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, "Students Volunteer"

Over spring break, the OSU Team of Construction Volunteers traveled to Guatemala and spent 12 days building a house for a family, experiencing a new and exciting culture, and living among the communities in the rural mountain village of Alotenango. Scott Mathewson (CEM), Taylor Kavanaugh (CEM), Dan McIntire (CEM), Ryan Furth (CEM), Josh Gilbreath (CEM), Nick Moses (ME), Beth Torgerson (FS), Austin Youmans (CE), and Matt Bradley (English) made up the OSU team of diverse majors.

From a link on Facebook, team leader Mathewson connected with the Encountour program, which organizes volunteer groups specifically designed for college students to help community non-profits in Latin America. And as luck would have it - OSU was included as a volunteer team in January 2009.

Looking at the opportunity to 'step out of his comfort zone' and challenge his construction skills, Scott actively recruited his classmates to volunteer during spring break. Students paid for their own airfare in addition to $700 in program costs, some of which was raised by fundraising activities. "The program costs covered all of the expenses associated with the materials to build the house, so basically - the nine of us paid for the entire house to be built." The group of nine students was split up among three host families, who provided their food and living arrangements.

Throughout the trip, the students also spent a day at the Mayan Temples in Tikal, hiked an active volcano – Volcan Pacaya, and spent several nights in the beautiful city of La Antigua. "Yes, the house was VERY small, and yet, a tenfold improvement from their previous house ­ a bamboo hut about half the size, and a typical accommodation for people in Guatemala. An impacting sight, first­hand and through pictures, of how well we truly have it as Americans."

"We all came away from the trip with a new and profound enlightenment on the impacts that our efforts played in the lives of the impoverished people in this developing culture. After our experience with this life- changing volunteer project, we encourage more OSU students to join the OSU Team of Construction Volunteers, help in the development of communities in need, and build a resume with this unique and powerful construction experience! Over the next 12 months, students have the chance to represent Oregon State University and actively take part in several construction volunteer projects locally and abroad, as well as plan for the next big spring break trip to Guatemala, or perhaps another new and exciting country."

For more information on joining the OSU Team of Construction Volunteers, please contact Scott Mathewson at mathesco12@hotmail.com.