Vernon senior Sarah Borchardt, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, gained more than she imagined after her first mission trip to Guatemala with the sorority. Now, after her second year traveling with the group, Borchardt said she is even more impacted by the people she met.
“These kids truly have so much joy, and it really shows when we get to see them each day,” said Borchardt, who was one of the trip organizers.
At the end of May each year, the Baylor Panhellenic sorority allows about 20 women to travel to Antigua, Guatemala, to help care for the children of Hermano Pedro Hospital and a Guatemala City elementary school.
Each day on the trip, the women were able to choose which place they would like to visit. Hermano Pedro is a home for children with special needs, and the women had the opportunity to assist the nurses in caring for the children.
“It’s great that we get to pick which place we’d like to go to. Some girls alternate between the two and others stick with one of them the entire trip,” Borchardt said. “Having the option to choose makes this trip that much more special.”
The elementary school was another place the members of Kappa Kappa Gamma visited throughout the trip. There, they were able to play games and read Bible stories to the students each day.
“Working with all the kids and just witnessing the delight on their faces each day was so cool to see,” said Katy senior Taylor Ruzicka.
Hiking a volcano, zip-lining through the forest, shopping through the markets of Antigua and eating at delicious Central American restaurants were some of the additional activities the women were able to enjoy after their days caring for the children of the hospital as well as the school.
“The children were incredibly life-changing, and being able to explore Guatemala was also exciting,” said Dallas senior Julia Swanner.
For more information on this trip and many others, contact Baylor Missions at 254-710-7424, or visit www.baylor.edu/missions.
