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Friday on the farm

While the end of our spring break is coming up the farm work never seems to end.

Today we had a mighty task of shoveling and working with a ton of “shit” or rather horse manure. For a day with so much poop it was a really magical day.

We went to a neighbors farm and honestly we shoveled poop for hours it seemed, and while that might not sound amazing to many but it was one of my favorite days of the trip. It was real work, hard work, good work. We also got to meet a horse :^)

After a long days work we took showers and then Bard made us fresh pizza which was not only delicious but healthy!

For our final night we played games and I saw how much our group (and Kevin and Bard) bonded. And though out our games I was able to reflect on the amazing week that graced all of us.

#wab16 #wabfarm #wakethefarm #letsgetsappy #wabohio

Your potential to create change is as vast as the blue sky above you- endless and transcendental. 🛣 #travelcados #WABasheville #thedrivehome (at Asheville Mountains)

#wabasheville #thedrivehome #travelcados

#travelcados leaving Asheville- until next year WAB!!! ❤️❤️❤️ (at Sweet Peas Hostel)

#travelcados

Day 5. The last day.

It is incredible to believe that our time at Casa Central came to an end. Today we volunteered from 9 am to 12 pm. When we arrived we prepared ourselves to say goodbye to the bright little faces that we had come to know and love.When we did leave, the kids were really sad to see us go. It was amazing how attached we got to them as they did to us. Not only did we get close to the group of kids that we worked with, they greatly impacted us and truly made this an experience that we won’t forget!

When asked to describe the WAB experience in one word some of the answers were: motivating, eye-opening, yearning, and impacting.

When asked to describe how much one changed from the beginning of the trip to the end some of answers were intriguing.

Answers ranged from being sad that the children at Casa Central do not receive much support in their community. Many times its issues that are completely out of their hands and sadly the children pay the consequences.

Others realized that not only were we there to be role models for the kids, but we were there for the teachers as well. Volunteers really do make an impact because of the fact that there is a lack of resources and funding for programs such as Casa Central. Any help they get is great help to them because the teachers are able to get more things done and help to attend more to the needs of the children.

One big thing that many of us realized was that even though we only helped out for a week we made a significant impact on the teachers and students. What was even more surprising was the impact that they had on us.

It was hard saying goodbye to them, but this experience is definitely one to remember. Everything on this trip changed each and everyone of us in different ways. We bonded, we made friends among the kids, and we have the opportunity to walk away with something that we will keep forever.

Until next time Chicago! -WAB Group 2016

Last day of WAB with these amazing peeps #travelcados 😭😭😭 (at Dandelion)

#travelcados

Squad pic

On Day 2 of our Interfaith Wake Alternative Break in Washington D.C. we came across the perfect motto for our family: #SpreadHummusNotHate! Our first stop of the day was to WATER, or The Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual. Located in Silver Spring, Maryland, WATER is an educational and spiritual space for open-minded dialogue on feminism, faith, and social justice that was founded in 1983. Meeting with the founders, Mary E. Hunt and Diann L. Neu was a really cool experience. It was a fantastic way to celebrate International Women's Day by discussing the intersections between feminism and religious practices, as well as how to combine those ideas to create change and bring forth justice in our communities in the United States and abroad. Later in the afternoon, we visited the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and took great pictures with Pope Francis! :) Following that amazing Shrine, we headed over to the Interfaith Conference and had the opportunity to speak with Rabbi Gerry Serotta about the diversity of faiths and the unity of purpose that binds all 11 religious traditions together. He talked about the importance of lifting one another up instead of tearing those who don't agree with our traditions down. Peace, love, and compassion are pillars that each religious tradition is based on.

The mural we created today ☺️ words we all need to hear #WABasheville #travelcados (at Steadfast House-Women)

#wabasheville #travelcados

The mural we created today ☺️ Words we all need to hear. #travelcados #WABasheville (at Steadfast House-Women)

#wabasheville #travelcados

Asheville Day 2 - Babies and Back Rubs

Peacefully rocking a sleeping 1 year old, looking down on her perfect eyelashes and tiny fingernails, I couldn’t help but think of the social conditions that brought us both to where we are - me as volunteer from Wake Forest, she as the recipient of foster care. The sexism, classicism, racism that have already and will continue to shape our lives.

Today around 9 we went to Steadfast Women’s Home in Asheville, a mere 5 minutes drive from our hostel. After a beautiful parallel parking job by troupe co-leader Lauren, we had a quick tour by Ms. Judith and began our individual tasks. The center was covered in murals and psalms, and each staff member and house member was so lovely. As Ash, Sean, Rose and Lauren made lunch, Paige and Grace organized the “Points” Closet, and Jenny and Deb watched 4 adorable and mischievous babies in the kids room. We were able to eat lunch with some of the house members, who all raved over Lauren’s gourmet tomato soup. The rest of the day was spent chasing after the children, running around outside, enjoying the beautiful weather and internally reflecting on our days.

At 5 pm, we headed to our get dinner ingredients at our usual haunt (#thatteeterlyfe) and then returned to our hipster hostel Sweet Peas for naps and taco night. Ashley was dropping SERIOUS hints about going to get beignets down the street, so a group of us trooped down to center city to bring some back for our reflection time.

During our group meeting, we had a time to deeply reflect upon what our day of service offered and what we offered through our day of service. How do patriarchy, white supremacy, and capitalism interact to create our current social realities? How do you succinctly define “intersectionality?” How are survivors of domestic abuse treated by their peers and by the institutions meant to protect them?

After our deep conversation, we wound down by giving each other back rubs and offering words of encouragement. We’re really excited for tomorrow, as we’re planning to paint a mural of the sun on the walls of the center and take care of more children so moms can look for job opportunities and make their appointments.

Quote of the day: “Sometimes it’s so hard to be a friend.” - Deborah Marke

Ps. Sean snores.

#WAB #travelcadoes #2016 #WakeForest #asheville #wabasheville

Day 2: DC Access WAB

The Maya Angelou Charter School hosted us to lead a discussion panel on the perception of college as a first generation student and how the perceptions line up with reality.

#MeYouEDU

Day 2: DC Access WAB

We enjoyed a lovely alumni dinner at Marc Dalton’s residence .We had an enthralling conversation on public health policies and Wake Forest progress.

#MeYouEDU

After a fun day of painting

Let the WABbing commence! #travelcados #WABasheville (at Sweet Peas Hostel)

#wabasheville #travelcados

allthingseurope

Reeth, England (by Romulusboml)

allthingseurope

Shaftesbury, England (by Tom ♠)

wakeforest

The morning sun shines through a flowering fruit tree on the campus of Wake Forest University, a sure sign that spring will be here soon. -Ken Bennett

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