After driving down unfamiliar roads for over six hours, sophomore Sandra Kincaid spotted a small sign on the side of the road. As she drove closer, she realized the sign read “Perryville, AR; Population: 1,544.” She had finally made it to the town that would be her home for the next two months.
On May 15th, the Kansas City native packed two suitcases and a trunk into the back of her car, knowing that she wouldn’t return to her hometown until August. She was headed back to the natural state to work as a Global Education Volunteer for Heifer International at their Arkansas learning center. Over the next two months, Sandra would work with livestock, learn to gardening techniques, and gain knowedge on how to live a sustainable life.
Heifer International is a worldwide developmental organization that strives to build sustainable communities to end world hunger and preserve resources. They enter communities all over the world and teach families how to raise their own livestock, garden, and even advocate for women’s equality. These are only a few of the methods Heifer uses in order to carry out their mission.
When Sandra was a freshman in high school, her church went on a trip to the Heifer learning center. It had such an impact that she found herself applying to work there for the summer, years later.
Every day, Sandra guided kids through a program called the “Global Village Experience.” The village consisted of houses from countries all over the world, representing different social and economic standings. The students were then split into “families” and assigned a house for the night. Each “family” was given a different resource to trade with. They also had to build their own fire to cook their food and do their own chores. In order to be successful in the program, students had to learn to be self-sufficient for the length of their stay.
Sandra’s favorite part of the day was sitting down and talking with the kids about their experiences. She was amazed by how much they took away from the short amount of time they spent at the center. “This was my first time teaching, which is something I want to do,” Sandra said. “It was a new experience to be the Chief instead of just an Indian. The coolest thing was watching the kids make connections. This experience really helped me figure out what I want to do with my life.”
Sandra’s experiences from this summer continue to impact her life back at the U of A. She added a minor in sustainability and social systems to compliment her double major in English and Advertising/Public Relations. She also began volunteer work for the organization “Feed Fayetteville” and joined the Heifer club on campus. Not to mention that she works a part-time job, sings in the concert choir, and will begin working as a student ambassador in the spring semester.
Sandra claims that the events from this summer greatly impacted her life and make her think in terms of sustainability in her everyday life.
Photo Source: Sandra Kincaid