Academic Life International Field Program Service Learning $100 Solution Case Studies $100 Solution Case Studies
Goats for a Dalit Village
Students visited a Dalit Village outside of Chennai, India. At the time of the visit, students learned that 70 percent of the village did not have the resources for one meal a day. A local community center leader showed the students around the area. When asked how $100 could be best used to benefit the village, he explained the nutritional and monetary value of goats in Dalit Village, and suggested the contribution be made toward goats.
$100 Solution:
The $100 contribution purchased five goats for the village to be distributed amongst the poorest families.
"I was told by President P. Paul Sudhakar that this was the first time that anyone had provided a donation in this manner. He said he loved the fact that we came in with the money in hand, found out what we were providing for, and donated the money by hand to the head people."
Textbooks for the Elderly in Hong Kong
Semester at Sea students taught an English class to a group of older adults in a community center in Hong Kong. This group of 20-25 residents meets on a regular basis to learn English. The individuals are motivated to learn English so they can communicate with English-speaking relatives and continue being active participants in their society.
$100 Solution:
The students chose to direct their $100 to the purchase of new English textbooks for the adult English students.
“I could not believe the level of commitment of the elderly individuals in Hong Kong to learn English. I am sure their English skills will inspire others in their age group. The English language books they plan to purchase will be a great resource.”
Hot Water for a Viet Nam Orphanage
A group of Semester at Sea students visited an orphanage in Viet Nam that housed and cared for disabled and diseased children. The students asked how $100 could be used to improve the quality of life for the children, and the head of the orphanage expressed her desire for the children to be able to take warm showers. The cost of a hot water for a year for the orphanage would be $200.
$100 Solution:
The students contributed their $100 toward the cost of one year of hot water, while promising to do field work at their next stop to send the remaining $100.
“We are hard at work on the ship to see that those children have hot water! ”
Diapers and Chocolate for Indian Orphans
Upon visiting an orphanage in India, a group of Semester at Sea students quickly identified the need for diapers for the children. The walls of the orphanage were lined with babies in cribs, some with urine-soaked diapers due to the lack of supply. The Sisters at the orphanage washed as quickly as they could, but could not keep up with the rate of need. After getting to know some of the children, the SAS students realized the children not only needed diapers, they needed enjoyment.
$100 Solution:
The students used the $100 to purchase disposable diapers at the local store for the orphanage and bought chocolate as well.
“What was so powerful was that the children who were confined to their cribs, whose physical and mental disabilities were so severe that they could barely even move, enjoyed the chocolate.”
