Flood Relief Volunteers

Just a couple of weeks ago, Columbia was devastated by record breaking floods. While many of us were left without power or clean water, some people lost every item they owned. As the news broke that the University of South Carolina would not hold classes for an entire week, many students began to pack their bags and travel back to their hometowns for a vacation. However, I was not surprised to hear that many of my sisters took this opportunity to volunteer and serve our community. Our chapter even voted to reallocate $1,500 of our budget to buy supplies we could donate. Today’s blog is written by only a handful of the girls who contributed to the flood relief efforts.

“I got to volunteer all around Columbia at churches and food pantries. It was an amazing opportunity to reach out and try to do what I could to help those going through hard times due to the flooding. The most wonderful experience I had was when my roommates and I brought supplies to a random impoverished apartment complex. We didn't really know what to do with the car-load of things so we started putting it in the front of the building. Then, one of the residents came out and we introduced ourselves. We all started knocking on doors of her neighbors to tell them about the diapers, food, and water we had brought for them. It was so cool to see how the community of Columbia was uniting even through the disaster. I was filled with so much joy to see that everyone cared so deeply for the wellbeing of their friends and family. Although this flood was awful, there has still been beauty in the struggle, and I feel honored to have been a part of it.”

-Clara Kinnison, Senior

"The devastation and incredible losses in the floods in South Carolina these last few weeks were so much more than anyone could've ever expected or imagined! Being able to volunteer and support the city that has done so much for me growing up was an incredible privilege and such a rewarding experience! From passing out water and organizing clothes, to personally delivering food, water, diapers and other supplies to a housing complex in an area that was severely hit by the floods, seeing faces of strength and gratitude was more than enough to fill our hearts with happiness!"

-Brooks Burdette, Senior

“Just the other week, our chapter selflessly voted to reallocate a portion of our chapter budget to support our Columbia community in flood relief efforts. Through our connections with the YMCA of Columbia, we learned of 4 elementary schools that were greatly impacted by the flood. Many of these students live in houses that flooded and lost all of their school supplies for the year, and most are unable to afford new supplies. We took the money and spent over two hours at Walmart filling carts. We were able to purchase backpacks, pencils, crayons, markers, notebooks, folders, and paper for these students, just to name a few. After shopping, we were met by other wonderful sisters who helped to separate the goods between the four schools and deliver our donations. I am so proud to be apart of such a selfless group of women, and am glad that we were able to make a difference for these children in the Columbia community."

-Peyton Billow, Junior

“Being in Columbia during the flood was definitely extremely scary, but also gave everyone a reality check that disaster can happen at your doorstep. When the flood hit, we were so lucky to be at the Tri Delta house and have our house mom with us. With the help of the house directors in Greek Village, Shanna organized a way to feed all of the Greek Village residents. We all worked together and brought food from each house to contribute to the meal. It was honestly so much fun. We all came together to cook, serve food, and create a safe (and fun) environment with music and friends. It was an awesome experience to see the selflessness of our community.

I also volunteered to go with 3 other members of Tri Delta and buy school supplies for surrounding elementary schools. This meant so much to me because these children are so young, and it is hard to be going through this traumatizing experience at that age. Being in college, you realize how important education is and how it starts when you are in elementary school. I was so happy to have such a positive impact on young kids under trying times. Experiences like these make me realize how much I love Tri Delta.”

-Caroline Kingham, Sophomore

I am so proud to call these devoted, selfless women my sisters. Thank you for being a light and inspiration for our chapter, university, and community.

DLAM,

Ericka Beane

Recruitment & Bid Day 2015

After months of preparation and weeks of hard work, the Alpha Lambda chapter welcomed 117 new members. Thank you to everyone who dedicated so much time and energy to making recruitment and Bid Day such a success. 

ROUND 1

ROUND 2

ROUND 3

ROUND 4

BID DAY

Thank you so much to our recruitment chair, Dana Hurtik and everyone that worked with her to make this recruitment the best one yet! We are so excited to welcome all 117 new members to our chapter!

Sister Spotlight: Addy Collett

Addy Collett

African Impact

St.Lucia, South Africa

          

On a day-to-day basis in St. Lucia, South Africa we were working at a crèche (a primary school for children around the age of 5) in the mornings from 8:30 to 12:30 and then would work with small groups we called support groups in the afternoon. Mornings at crèche were always extremely busy teaching the children basic things in English such as the alphabet, the seasons, colors, shapes, numbers 1-10, household items, animal names and identification, and certain occupations (ex) teacher, student, doctor etc.). We stayed at this particular crèche for the entire month of my stay enabling us to see the children improve every single day. They couldn’t get through the alphabet, couldn’t identify or name any colors, and didn’t know any animal names in English but by the end of the month they had it down to perfection. 

We also had a lot of fun with them after we would teach by doing things such as singing songs, playing musical chairs, playing tag, and reading stories. Their favorite song was “boom chick a boom,” an American classic. It was obvious that play time was not a high priority in their households due to all the chores they were expected to do or at least observe with their parents so it felt good to see the children get to be kids for a little part of their day. The principle of the school was there everyday and she was amazing. She spoke broken English but helped us a ton to translate some of the daily activities we were trying to get across. 

Later in our stay, she informed us she gets paid 20 rand a month, which in American terms means 2 dollars a month. In the afternoons I alternated between helping assist an HIV course for adults and going to a “Khula mothers support group.” The HIV course was one of the most inspiring things I have ever done because it really opened my eyes to the huge problem South Africa actually has. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to be able to work with another volunteer who was a Professor at a college in Connecticut and was an expert on HIV education. I learned more from this women/volunteer than I have in a long time and so did many of the South African adults. I left the first day of HIV education in complete shock. Some of the questions were things such as “Can HIV be spread by kissing?”…Etc. It was truly shocking to see adults so clueless about a huge problem not on only in their country but in their community, but also extremely motivating because they were DYING to learn.. the opportunity had just never come. 

                           

The Khula mothers support group was also incredible. It was a group of about 12 women who were mothers or grandmothers and we would meet in the afternoons with a certain topic such as nutrition, diabetes, fitness, or germs. Each time we started off the group session by asking how each persons day was, eating a little snack (bananas and juice), and then began the lesson of the day. We always had a woman who worked at the house who spoke excellent English along with Zulu (their language) to translate the lessons. The one day we did a lesson on germs I assumed it would be a very obvious and almost offensive lesson to teach because it seems like such common sense to us but I was wrong. We did a demonstration using lotion and glitter. First we applied the lotion onto our hands and then sprinkled some glitter onto them (the glitter representing germs), next I shook hands with one of the women which allowed the lotion and glitter to transfer over to her hands. They were shocked. They were also not aware that you couldn’t use the same tub and water to wash everyone in the groups’ hands because the germs stay in the water. These are just a few examples of the different kinds of situations and questions I was extremely shocked by.

Being there taught me a lot that being helpful doesn’t mean spending money.. it's just about being there.. everyday.. on time. The structure and support we gave the children in my eyes and I hope in theirs was our greatest gift to them. Overall, the trip along with the people I met taught me way more than I could have ever taught them. They were inspiring, kind, thankful, and some of the most enjoyable people I have ever been around and I hope someday in my life I can go back.

DL, Addy

The world needs more people like you, Addy. We know the kids of St.Lucia loved you just as much as we do. You rock!

Sister Spotlight: Emery Buckhouse

Emery Buckhouse

International Service Learning

Masaya, Nicaragua

"This summer I volunteered on a dental mission trip in Nicaragua with an organization called International Service Learning (ISL). When I first signed up to be a volunteer, I was nervous about the fact that I wouldn’t know anyone else going on the trip and that I knew very little Spanish. I arrived in Nicaragua and finally met the other three volunteers that I would be working with for the next 9 days. Little did any of us know that this trip would impact us in a way that we didn’t expect.

Los Pepitos was a place in Masaya, Nicaragua for children with special needs to go during the day while their families were at work. This facility was where our dental clinic was held. We assisted Doctora Mesa with performing cleanings, extractions, and even fillings on these children and their families. Most of these families had never had dental care in their life; much less own their own toothbrush. Even though I did enjoy all the dental experience I was getting, I gained so much more from the people of Masaya. They taught me to really be thankful for how blessed I am. These people had little to nothing, but yet they found a way to shower us with gifts just to show us how thankful they were for us. The dental care that we gave might not seem like much, but to the people of Masaya, it was everything.

I originally signed up for this trip for the experience because I would like to go to dental school, but I realized that God led me to a bigger purpose. This trip was not about me, but about making a difference in someone else’s life.

DL, Emery"


We are so proud of you and your dedication to serve the kids of Nicaragua, Emery. We can't wait to see you become a dentist one day!