UA Alternative Break Teams Head to Nicaragua, Greensboro

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Center for Service and Leadership is sending four teams made up of more than 60 UA students, as well as leaders, on Beyond Bama: Alternative Break from Saturday, Dec. 10, to Saturday, Dec. 17.

International teams are going to the Nicaraguan cities of Managua, Santa Julia and Esteli. A fourth team is going to Greensboro.

The teams traveling to Nicaragua will work with Panorama Service Expeditions: Nicaragua Compact. The UA center joined the Nicaraguan Compact in 2014 with 15 other universities. The three teams will further develop a community school, bolster the development of an all-women’s coffee collaborative and increase access to healthcare. This initiative sends U.S. university and college students to help with the long-term development of Nicaragua through social-justice-based direct service projects.

Panorama Service Expeditions, a nonprofit organization focused on developing grassroots sustainable social and economic development projects, and Break Away, the national nonprofit for alternative breaks, are committed to long-term sustainability and service in Nicaraguan communities.

The team traveling to Greensboro will work with the Hero Project and Habitat for Humanity, serving alongside local activist and community change agent Pam Dorr. The students will work on renovation and new-build projects. This program is called House United.

“Beyond Bama: Alternative Breaks are some of the most high impacting and rewarding programs that the CSL provides,” said Courtney Chapman Thomas, director of UA’s Center for Service and Leadership. “These breaks give students a new perspective on life and service. They become more aware of the world around them and the social justice issues that many face. They begin then to not just be aware but to see their personal and professional role in creating a better tomorrow.”

This is the first year that the center has had a medical brigade as part of their Alternative Breaks.

“We are excited to watch our future doctors and nurses serve in a new capacity in Nicaragua and to see how medicine around the world is done,” Thomas said.