Rwanda Service Learning Trip Student Team

Name: Jonah Brill
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Class Year: 2011

One of my lifelong dreams has been to travel to Africa. I have always been

determined to use my energy and time to help out causes I believe in. This past summer I traveled to Honduras to work in the mountains building adobe stoves and putting tin roofs on mud brick houses. This trip to Africa will allow us all to experience being out of the comfort zone that the United States offers. I believe it will be a life changing trip that will teach us all about patience, acceptance, and the need to keep looking forward.

Name: Christopher (Kit) Dobyns
Major: Industrial Labor Relations
Class Year: 2012

My interest in African culture inspired me to apply for the Rwanda service-learning trip. I am currently studying Kiswahili (a language spoken in much of East Africa) and working on educational programs in Ghana and Cameroon. In high school, I assisted in organizing "Books for Africa" and "Save Darfur" programs. I am excited about the possibility of actually traveling to Africa and building relationships as opposed to just looking at pictures from thousands of miles away.

Name: Eric Horn
Major: Engineering
Class Year: 2012

One of my main points of interests outside of my general areas of study in Engineering is modern African history. In particular, I have read a lot about the atrocities related to Rwanda genocide and the use of child soldiers in social struggles across the African continent. I hope that this trip will further my knowledge of the situation in Africa, and to help them improve their lives in whatever way possible. I have done many service projects as I achieved my Eagle Scout award in the Boy Scouts of America, and also have done charity work through my singing as a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society and church choirs.

Name: Brian A. Matuszewski
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Class Year: 2011

Ever since I studied abroad in São Paulo, Brazil, during my junior year of high school, I have grown passionate in pursuing a career path in social entrepreneurship and development studies. When I saw that the Cornell Public Service Center was partnering with the International Education Exchange in organizing a trip to Rwanda, I considered this to be an incredible opportunity for me to explore, firsthand, another developing country's social and economic issues. After three weeks in Rwanda, I hope I will achieve a keener insight in ways developing countries' problems can be solved by an investment in public education and a careful implementation of a sustainable economic development plan. I have been involved with Rotary International and am currently a member of the Cornell Tradition.

Name: Jason Morrison
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Class Year: 2012

I have come to the realization that I was fortunate enough to have had a healthy upbringing with few hardships and would like to help those who are not as fortunate. Along the way, I would like to learn more about other people's struggles to help me with my long-term goal of making positive social changes on a global scale. I have previously volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Part of the Solution Soup Kitchen in addition to being involved in the Minority ILR Student Organization.

Name: Narayana Pappu
Major: Engineering
Class Year: 2009

Hello! My name is Narayana, I come from India and since a very young age have experienced the difference between haves and have not's. Being on the haves side I believe it's my duty to contribute back to the society and make a difference to the lives of other people. I believe that technology can be a transformational force in making people's life better. During my undergraduate degree I have been part of various student project teams and social entrepreneurship groups including Aguaclara which develops low cost, open source water treatment technologies here at Cornell and implements them in Honduras. I believe the Rwanda trip will give me an opportunity to learn about a new continent, interact with people, learn about their needs and make a difference.

Name: Samantha R. Scott

Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Class Year: 2012

I would like to use the Rwanda Alternative Breaks trip to help the disadvantaged students at the Kagugu School understand the value of their education. In high school, I volunteered as an after school tutor to elementary students through the Salvation Army. This experience made me realize the importance of giving back and helping others. I joined Jamaica Difference, a student service organization that works in conjunction with non-profit organizations in Jamaica, this year as the Director of Service Learning. With my position I hope to assist the impoverished families of Jamaica experience a better life through my efforts. In addition to this, I also serve as an ILR Ambassador and as a member of the MILRSO Programming Committee.