March 16, 2010
Harding University students build bridge to people of Nicaragua
SEARCY, Ark. — Twenty-two Harding University students returned from
Nicaragua after spring break with thousands of pictures and hours of
video of their experiences with the local people of Jinotega.
The students, accompanied by Andrew Baker, director of the Institute
for Church and Family at Harding, and photojournalist and Harding
alumnus Philip Holsinger, come from a variety of disciplines,
including communication, education and nursing. The trip was designed
to encourage flexibility by giving each student the opportunity to
work through a channel best suited to his or her talents. The purpose
of the group effort was described by Holsinger as “bridge building”
between the Nicaraguan culture and American culture.
“This opportunity enables students to use their talents, abilities and
passions to make an eternal difference for the kingdom,” Baker said.
The group spent the week in the Mision Para Christo, a vital part of
the Jinotega community. Working through the mission’s free medical
clinic, rural schools, churches and support of local aid programs, the
students provided assistance in these programs and recorded their
efforts to share the experience with others in a future publication.
Communication students were able to interact with local Nicaraguans
through the marketplace, schools, local trash dump and neighborhoods.
Capturing Jinotega residents’ daily life through videos, photos and
interviews, the students will compile the stories along with their own
insights to publish in the future. Each student also kept a blog
during their trip to describe their experiences.
Education students visited schools in rural areas to read and play
with the children. They interacted with local children at Mision Para
Christo schools and in the malnourished children center and
neighborhoods.
Nursing majors visited the local preschool to distribute parasite
medication and also delivered medication to the malnourished children
center. These students were able to shadow the mission’s clinic staff
during the week and spend time at a maternity house as well.
Harding University students build bridge to people of Nicaragua
SEARCY, Ark. — Twenty-two Harding University students returned from
Nicaragua after spring break with thousands of pictures and hours of
video of their experiences with the local people of Jinotega.
The students, accompanied by Andrew Baker, director of the Institute
for Church and Family at Harding, and photojournalist and Harding
alumnus Philip Holsinger, come from a variety of disciplines,
including communication, education and nursing. The trip was designed
to encourage flexibility by giving each student the opportunity to
work through a channel best suited to his or her talents. The purpose
of the group effort was described by Holsinger as “bridge building”
between the Nicaraguan culture and American culture.
“This opportunity enables students to use their talents, abilities and
passions to make an eternal difference for the kingdom,” Baker said.
The group spent the week in the Mision Para Christo, a vital part of
the Jinotega community. Working through the mission’s free medical
clinic, rural schools, churches and support of local aid programs, the
students provided assistance in these programs and recorded their
efforts to share the experience with others in a future publication.
Communication students were able to interact with local Nicaraguans
through the marketplace, schools, local trash dump and neighborhoods.
Capturing Jinotega residents’ daily life through videos, photos and
interviews, the students will compile the stories along with their own
insights to publish in the future. Each student also kept a blog
during their trip to describe their experiences.
Education students visited schools in rural areas to read and play
with the children. They interacted with local children at Mision Para
Christo schools and in the malnourished children center and
neighborhoods.
Nursing majors visited the local preschool to distribute parasite
medication and also delivered medication to the malnourished children
center. These students were able to shadow the mission’s clinic staff
during the week and spend time at a maternity house as well.
You can access student blogs at http://hunicaragua2010.