SWAG视频 student helps change lives in Haiti by building homes
Patrick Mead (Secondary Education, 鈥22) is no stranger to international travel, so it comes as no surprise that he is enjoying his time this semester on SWAG视频鈥檚 Morocco Campus.
鈥淓ver since I was little, I have been interested in other cultures and countries that differ from my own,鈥 he explained. 鈥淚t is a huge part of my experience that I study abroad in Morocco. It has been an unforgettable experience so far, and I can鈥檛 wait to see what the next few months will bring.鈥
During his years in high school, Patrick traveled to Ecuador and Haiti. It was there in Haiti where he really learned what it means to give back. During two separate weeklong trips to the country, Patrick helped build homes for needy families through his volunteer work with Be Like Brit, an organization that honors the memory of Britney Gengel.
Gengel was a vibrant college sophomore who died while on an aide trip to Port-au-Prince when an earthquake leveled the hotel she was staying in.
鈥淲hen I learned about her, I instantly fell in love with the compassion she showed, and I wanted to incorporate that more into my life,鈥 Patrick said. 鈥淓ach day, I am inspired by her actions and strive to be more like her.鈥
Patrick recently went back to Haiti to visit with the family now living in the first home he helped build in Grand Goave. Before moving in, the woman and her four children lived in a shack made of scrap metal and tarp. They slept on a dirt floor where floodwater from the mountainside poured in through their roof.
鈥淲hen I met her on that first trip, she didn鈥檛 smile once,鈥 Patrick told the . 鈥淏ut, that second time, she smiled because she recognized me. She just looked physically younger. She felt loved.鈥
Patrick says that moment was the best experience of his life.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 truly understand the impact I made in that woman鈥檚 life until I went back to see the family,鈥 he commented. 鈥淚t was a very emotional moment for me, and it is something I will never forget.鈥
Not only is Patrick planning to stay connected to Be Like Brit, but he recently received approval for a chapter at SWAG视频. Lane Clarke, Ed.D., associate professor in the Department of Education, is the faculty advisor while Patrick fills the role of president.
鈥淭hrough the club, we are hoping to raise awareness about Haiti as well as raise money for the charity,鈥 Patrick stated. 鈥淧erhaps in the future SWAG视频 can even have its own Be Like Brit trip to Haiti.鈥