It Takes a Village

Things have come a long way in the six months since our last post. The 2007-2008 team did an incredible job with projects implemented in Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and the United States, among other areas. Economic development and empowerment with a methodology of identifying and building on strengths has become a core characteristic of how the La Sierra University Students in Free Enterprise Team operates.

The team completed the first test dome, as well as the construction of an emergency shelter, a great alternative to emergency tents as in many disaster-torn areas of the world, refugee camps and temporary shelter locations can end up needing to be used much longer than originally anticipated. The photo above is the most recent view of our on-campus village at La Sierra University. The three stacks of filled Cal-Earth bags you see in the photo are the start of a new ampitheatre for the village. It will be very useful as the team plans to hold special meetings, courses, workshops, open houses, and other events at the site throughout the year. Pictured in the photo are (left to right) Christian Tirado (2008 Team President/CEO), Roberto Anguiano (2007-2008 Team Recruitment), and Steven Salcido (2007-Current Build-a-Village Project Leader). The three have been working tirelessly in the hot California sun to complete more of the vision for this village on a university campus.

The 2008-2009 academic year is upon us. Look for some incredible new developments from the La Sierra University Students in Free Enterprise Team as it continues to increase its own potential to make a true, sustainable difference in the world around them.

Making of a Dream

Check out this new video from our friends at the Cal-Earth Institute.

The Next Phase

This past year was an incredible success in what we set out to accomplish. We originally thought that we could possibly get through a lengthy approval process for a small plot of land to build a small dome on but now we have everyone saying "When are we going to finish the whole village?" When construction was overwhelmingly approved and a quite large plot of land was given to us, we had to speed up the project timetable.

The single, original purpose of this whole project was to develop the economic development plan for the villages to be constructed in Darfur. We realized that the best way to get support in our efforts was to help others see and experience what will really be happening over there, and that these are really going to be sturdy, attractive, functional structures being built. That too was successful.

We are currently completing construction of the main test dome, three emergency shelters and an outdoor amphitheatre in preparation to officially turn the model village over to the university as a symbol of the potential and passion of its students.

I am very excited that a new student leader is stepping up to move into my role as leader over the several elements of this entire project. Steven Salcido and I will be working closely to ensure that this project continues to go beyond the potential we once saw for it. Look for great things in this from Steven and the team that he is now building. You will likely see updates on the project from Steven on this blog in the near future.

If you haven't visited our World Cup Presentation Team Blog, be sure to get caught up on the recent exciting events for our SIFE Team. The video below sums up things nicely as well. Have a great Thanksgiving.

-John Razzouk

Heading to the World Cup

I'll be posting on our Presentation Team blog for the next week or so. Be sure and check out updates on the LSU SIFE Team's progress at the SIFE World Cup Competition there lsusifeworldcup.blogspot.com. There has been some great progress by American-Sudanese Partnerships in the last few months. Everytime I read the updates on their blog AmericanSudanesepartnerships.blogspot.com I want to jump up out of my chair and cheer.

Education in Action

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) is a very unique organization. Our La Sierra University SIFE team is no exception. Upon examining the way we model our budget and funding, you may see us as a non-profit organization. Speaking to other groups on campus you may see us a club. Community organizations see us as a partner. Those affected by our projects see us as their friends. But what is SIFE to those within the organization itself?

One of the best ways to describe our experience is service-learning. What good is an education if it is not applied and utilized? As students, we are often impatient upon learning new things. We get so excited about the new things that we learn that we immediately want to begin using our new knowledge, skills, and abilities in the world around us. SIFE is for that kind of student. We want to do something with our lives, but we still recognize that we are students of life, for life.

The National Youth Leadership Council has a great explanation of Service-Learning:

"Picking up trash on a riverbank is service.

Studying water samples under a microscope is learning.

When science students collect and analyze water samples, document their results, and present findings to a local pollution control agency … that is service-learning.

Service-learning is a teaching method that enriches learning by engaging students in meaningful service to their schools and communities. Young people apply academic skills to solving real-world issues, linking established learning objectives with genuine needs. They lead the process, with adults as partners, applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to concerns such as hunger, pollution, and diversity."

It's a great model that makes great sense. It involves the same building upon strengths that exists at the heart of our village-building project. Far too often, when seeking a way to be kind or charitable, we engage in activities that may help others without being at all useful to ourselves. Or perhaps we buy a handful of bookmarks or other items not of much use to us because the proceeds go to a good cause. SIFE takes a different approach. We believe that it is perfectly possible to develop sustainable win-win situations by using basic, time-tested concepts of the free-market econonomic system.

By working on SIFE projects which greatly benefit others, I myself greatly benefit in terms of the amazing and unique experiences which result. Application is not just a welcome supplement to education, it is an intricate part of education itself.

"Service-learning is education in action." — Sen. John Glenn

Focus

One of the most difficult things when preparing to work on a project like this is access to accurate information. There are so many individuals and organizations out there sharing their take on what is happening in Sudan. When it comes to issues around the globe, outside entities and nations often display inaction followed by incorrect action.

As a college student preparing to join the village-building effort, my views began very emotionally-charged. The difficult reality here is that I am not a government or a military. I am a student. I want to help build homes for people who have none. So that is where the focus must lay. Outside organizations that try to work in Sudan often find themselves kept out because in addition to a focus on something like building homes or providing aid, they also launch charged political actions.

In relation to work in Sudan, many organizations and individuals play many different roles. But again, the reality here is that we cannot enter any country we wish and begin achieving our goals immediately. History has shown us that diplomacy actually resolves situations far more quickly than aggression. Whenever possible, we must work with all parties involved to make the accomplishment of our goals as sustainable as possible. For us, that means maintaining a focus on building sustainable villages, and not imposing Western ideas on the villagers for example.

To find a little clarity of information regarding Sudan, I would recommend The Root Causes of Sudan's Civil Wars by Douglas Hamilton Johnson. It is often given particularly to diplomats and government officials who need to understand the big picture of Sudan's history and environment. I found it a little biased in favor of the south, but overall, it was very useful.