Graphic by Grant Beebe I The Daily Mississippian
Two Greek organizations extended their philanthropic influence to affect change in local communities across the globe over winter break this year.
Five active members of The University of Mississippi chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma women’s fraternity, which partnered with Feed The Hunger, did missionary work with churches and schools in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.
Sarah Douglass, co-leader of the trip and junior KKG member, described the scope of the work. She said the group spread the word of God in orphanages in Kolkata, the red light districts, Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying and other areas.
“This trip gave us a chance to see first hand how much our philanthropy work truly benefits others. It was an incredible experience,” Douglass said.
In the past, KKG has done mission work in Kenya and Haiti, but this marked its first year working in Asia.
“If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to get out there, get your hands dirty and help someone out,” Douglass said. “You never know what affect you’ll have on a person, but one thing always happens at the end of these trips. You go in thinking you are going to help them, then you come back changed for the better and helped by these incredible people who have nothing but have given you everything.”
Members of Alpha Omicron Pi women’s fraternity at Ole Miss stayed in Oxford but partnered with Christian Relief Fund to drill a well in Barwessa, Kenya, to give the community access to clean water.
“This region has over 500 people and has never had clean water,” junior AOPi Kelsey Litzelfelner said. “They would have to walk over six miles daily to obtain water.”
Litzelfelner said the people of Barwessa were ecstatic to discover that their community produced a water supply.
“The people of Barwessa are calling it a miracle,” Litzelfelner said.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Brandi Hephner LaBanc said this type of work aligns with the mission of the university, and she said the university loves to see its students engage in these types of services.
“It is wonderful that the organizations are offering these global learning opportunities,” said Dr. Hephner LaBanc. “If students have an opportunity, I think it is the most transformational thing they can do. It makes people reflect a great deal on what blessings we really have.”
