Austin Student Service Mission

Students and faculty from Austin Prep spoke to the Reading Rotary on May 2 about their service trip to rural Peru.   AP students, Pedro, Kate and Crystal were our Speakers.  They were among 18 total students on a trip this February who dedicated their off time to help those in need. They were accompanied by two AP faculty members, including Reading Rotarian Michael McLaughlin, Head of Austin Prep Middle School.

 

They traveled to the Sacred Valley of the Incas near Cusco and Machu Picchu.  They stayed with host families and preformed community service, including painting classrooms in the Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Urubamba.  They mixed bricks the traditional way, with their feet, and repaired walls and improved paths leading to the school in the Andes.  They also had the chance to visit the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and learn salsa dancing.

 

The student speakers were very impressive as they related how these families in this very remote area had so little, including limited access to sanitary facilities and clean water.  The Austin students also interacted with homeless children putting together packs of items and food and distributing them.  This was a first time Austin conducted this service trip to Peru, but there are hopes to be able to repeat this service project.