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"The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves."
Helen Keller
Roseanne Edu
"I see in their (the family's) eyes and their hearts that Esperanza has brought them so much and how they feel blessed - not only do they have a home, but they have gained many great friends and gained a community and an extended family.
I was challenged with so many issues and perspectives that I never really thought about, and it was so enlightening and eye-opening.
Every day I am more and more amazed and realize that what I am learning and experiencing is unlike any other day and that there is a reason why I am here, why we were all put here together, why I am somehow deserving of this opportunity. I am truly grateful and feel so privileged.
There are those experiences like what we have had in Mexico that are rare and forever impacting and are what make me feel more in touch with the world. Too often do we get caught up in ourselves and our own lives, turning our cheek on the realities of others - especially our neighbors. What we all need to recognize is that their reality is our reality too and we owe it to ourselves, our neighbors, our future generations to open our eyes and be aware, because only then can positive change occur. I recommend this trip to anyone and everyone because it opened my eyes wider than I ever imagined."
Larisa Apon
"I think my favorite part of the entire homemaking process is the laying down of bricks because it is a great feeling to know that you had a direct hand in helping build someone's home."
Erin McCowen
"This trip has truly opened my eyes and made me even more aware of the problems of many people in the world."
Angela Davidson
"The nature of us working as an "assembly line" was very symbolic to me. None of us was doing less work than the other (except maybe Eduardo.. who could lift a brick with one hand over his head!). We equally helped and in our hearts wanted to help.
Food is a huge aspect of this trip, beginning with the huge portions showing hospitality, to the symbolism of eating what the kids are eating.
I learned that I had been so concerned with myself lately. I, along with many other people I'm sure, am continually thinking about what I want to do with my life and how am I going to make money. As a result of this trip, I have learned so much about the value of helping others and caring for others.
We hear about issues and problems in the news across the globe, but you do not really put it into perspective or really understand what is happening until you actually visit a place."
AJ Garcha
"At some point during the day, particularly when I saw cinder blocks becoming walls, I realized the importance of our effort. To see what we created through our own hands, through Esperanza, through GENS 350, through the ideal of philanthropy and the grace of the human heart, I was overjoyed and filled with genuine happiness for the residents of the house, the community and the aforementioned entities and for the part we as a class and I played."