Number of Participants: 1
Hours Donated: 56
Value of Time Served: $473
Event Type: Civic & Community
Sport: Cross Country Running
Date: January 23, 2015
Location:
1000 Hempstead Avenue Rockville Centre
New York 11570, United States
About:
ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. (Jan. 23, 2015) – This month, senior Eric Haslbauer (Levittown, N.Y.) — a member of the Lions’ men’s cross country and track & field teams — was part of a group of Molloy College students that went to El Salvador, along with Sr. Diane Capuano, Assistant Director of Campus Ministries. In El Salvador, Haslbauer and the rest of the Molloy students helped run a children’s camp.
Here is Haslbauer’s reflection on the trip:
“My experience in El Salvador truly was a life-changing experience. I’ve always enjoyed giving back to the community, hence my involvement both in high school and college in community service organizations. In addition, my twin brother went on a mission trip to Ecuador last year and hearing his stories from his experience greatly inspired me to go on this trip to El Salvador. In particular, his ability to connect with the children there despite the language barrier truly touched me, for he was unable to put his experience into words. This El Salvador experience was an opportunity for me to expand my love for servicing others at an international level. Most importantly, I was able to connect with those kids in such a special way despite the language barrier that I fell in love with them. I would do anything for those kids and can truly say my experience there is beyond words. I will forever be grateful for what those kids taught me in my short week there. Despite living in poverty, they showed me how to act with genuine kindness towards others and what true love for one another really is.”
Here is Sr. Diane Capuano’s reflection on the trip:
“For nine short days, students from Molloy College and Dominican College experienced what it is like to be a “missionary!” In the small town of Sol Naciente, in El Salvador, students helped at a camp for over 40 children for the week. Through sports activities, arts and crafts, music and lots and lots of outdoor games and activities, these students did an outstanding job in providing a week full of fun and laughter for these children! Although not everyone spoke Spanish, the “language of love” clearly broke down any language barriers. All of us found it hard to leave this special place and these children. We hope to go back again in 2016!”
