Circle of Sisterhood Trek 2016

After Ginny Carroll's visit to campus last week, you may be wondering what the Circle of Sisterhood Trek to Nicaragua will entail. Below you will find the details of the trip, and more!

Application Guidelines:

• Based on an internal election process, three women from every chapter will be selected to interview with Panhellenic Exec on a later date in January.
• This process will include an application and an interview, speech or presentation to your chapter. The second part will depend on your chapter. 
• All candidates will complete the application, which includes background information on the candidate and five short answer questions. You can get this application from your Panhellenic delegate.
• Each chapter will have a different timeline for this internal process, so talk to your Panhellenic delegate about what your chapter’s process will look like. 
• Chapter representatives will be chosen by your last chapter meeting.

Trek Details:

• Nicaragua Trek Dates: May 30th-June 5^th, 2016
• 12 members from the Panhellenic community (1 from each chapter) and both the 2015 and 2016 Panhellenic VP of Service and Philanthropy
• Two advisors will attend the trek, as well
• Panhellenic’s goal is to cover all trek and travel costs

buildOn

The Circle of Sisterhood has chosen buildOn as our Implementing Partner when we fund a school build. buildOn works in some of the poorest countries on the planet to build schools in villages that have historically had no adequate school structure – where students are squeezed into dark and crumbling mid huts, or are taught under trees when the weather permits, or have to walk multiple miles to a neighboring village, or can’t attend school at all. To date, buildOn has built more than 700 schools in seven countries. 

Each day you will spend about four hours contributing labor to the construction of the school. This is the most challenging aspect of the Trek for most participants. Training that builds strength or endurance between now and your Trek will make your time on the worksite easier and more enjoyable. However, no previous construction experience is necessary and there are jobs on the worksite suitable for participants of most any age or skill level. An open mind and a willingness to try new things are the only requirements. 

You will work side by side with members of the community on the worksite, and buildOn staff will assist you as you learn how to use the tools and complete the tasks each day. The entire school project will take approximately 12 weeks to complete. During the first week you can expect to dig and pour the foundation, which is the most labor-intensive part of the process. After your Trek, the community volunteers and buildOn staff will complete the school. Pictures of the finished school and an update on the completion of the project will be sent to you 2-4 weeks after construction is done and the school is painted.

Sample Trek Itinerary

• Day 1 

• Arrive in buildOn impact area Meet buildOn staff 

• Dinner and orientation Overnight in town hotel/hostel 

• Day 2 

• Travel to the village 

• Welcome ceremony and covenant signing Meet host families 

• Days 3-5 

• Work on the school in the morning 

• Cultural workshops in the afternoon 

• Spend time with your host family in the evening 

• Day 6 

• Farewell to the village 

• Travel back to town for shopping/final dinner 

• Day 7 

• Depart for home

If you have any questions about the trek, feel free to email TCU Panhellenic at tcupanhellenic@gmail.com.