India Experience

By Cara Gleeson
Edited Soptember 29, 2010

Fundraising is an important activity to any group or project, and the interterm trip to India is no different.

However, most groups don’t need to finance the building of a school in another country. Not only is the group financing their plane tickets, they’re also raising money to help jump-start projects while in India.

“We’re doing what we can to help raise money, but first I have to figure out how to pay for my own ticket,” Sophomore Ryan Corrigan said. He isn’t the only one worrying about the price tag of the trip; Senior Amber Henson says she’s in the same boat as Corrigan. Making extra cash can be hard during the school year, so fundraising can be an appealing option.

Reverend Karla Cooper is the sponsor and leader of this interterm trip. “My goals are to have a sustainable program and for students to find an enriching cultural experience accompanied by their hard work,” Cooper said.

The group will be working on the construction of a new vocational school building from the ground up, and will also build a fence with concrete bricks. “It’s going to be hard work, but still enriching,” Cooper said.

From dinners to movie nights, the group has come up with a variety of creative ideas. Gerry Allen is a grant writer at Doane, and he is writing several letters to people for help, including the Gates Foundation and US Aid. Monday was the group’s first community dinner, and they took open donations for the traditional Indian dinner being served.

Movie nights are being planned, where the admission price would be school supplies. Proceeds will be going to the cost of the construction and also to help students pay for their plane tickets.

“Even a box of crayons would be a wonderful donation” Cooper said.