Akron service organizations continue to make a difference
A dedicated team of 19 Akron residents—10 students and nine adults—traveled to the heart of La Saona in Baní, Dominican Republic, last week, with a singular mission: to serve.
Representing a powerful alliance between the Akron Lady Lions, the Akron Lions Club, the Akron-Newstead Rotary Club, and the ACS Interact Club, this “Just Build It!” team spent 5 days revitalizing the Elizabeth Seton Nutrition Center.
A Community in Need
The Elizabeth Seton Nutrition Center sits in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in North America. In La Saona, a community of over 2,000 people, the struggle for survival is a daily reality. Mortality rates for infants and children mirror those in the world’s most underdeveloped regions. With no reliable electricity, clean water, or safe roads, and houses often made of nothing more than tin, the Center serves as a vital sanctuary for 90 children every weekday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Infrastructure for a Future
Over the course of the week, the Akron team tackled a massive list of infrastructure projects designed to improve safety, longevity, and education: Kitchen Overhaul: Deteriorated wood cabinets were replaced with durable steel to withstand the tropical climate. Classroom Organization: New shelving was built to house supplies organized into labeled plastic bins. Security & Safety: The team skim-coated the rear security wall near the playground, installed electrical safety upgrades, and replaced broken bathroom doorknobs. Education & Growth: Students installed new sensory boards for early childhood development and planted herb gardens complete with a new irrigation system.
The week wasn’t all hard labor, however. The team hosted a vibrant holiday party for the Center’s 90 children, featuring music, clowns, and candy treats! The final two days of the trip were dedicated to an immersive cultural experience in historic Santo Domingo. Students explored the city’s rich heritage at sites like the Pantheon of the Fatherland, Fort Ozama, and the 16th-century Alcazar de Colón, before enjoying more modern highlights like the Kahkow Chocolate Factory and the Three Eyes National Park.
The “Just Build It!” Legacy
Since its inception in 2017, the Just Build It! initiative has led over 50 Akron high school students on this “we serve” journey. To date, this translates to approximately 2,500 labor hours, supplemented by crucial funding and various donations often including items such as shoes and multivitamins.
“The impact made to the infrastructure at the Center is enormous,” the team shared collectively. “But the outcome of taking high school students on this trip leaves an immeasurable impact on our own Akron community that will last for decades.”
A Lead Through Service Perspective
The trip is designed for both the givers and the receivers. While the Center receives necessary security and infrastructure upgrades to continue its life-saving work, the student volunteers return home as “ambassadors of goodness.” By stepping outside their comfort zones and witnessing the resilience of the people in La Saona, these young leaders gain a profound new perspective on their own lives and the community they call home.
By joining forces, Akron’s service organizations have proven that a small town can indeed make a world of difference. For more information please contact mstone@akronk12.org