Compassion in action: Weston students build dreams in Peru

Pick axes, work gloves, and a bucket shower at the end of the day -- it's not what normally comes to mind when you think of school vacation. But such was the experience of some 200 local students, including nearly 40 from Weston -- who volunteered in Peru with Builders Beyond Borders (B3), a nonprofit based in Norwalk

B3, which will send another 200 volunteers to Peru in March and April, is working in collaboration with the Peace Corps and Peruvian organizations to build aqueducts, new bathrooms, latrines, and hand washing stations, an amphitheater, an infirmary, and a "wawawasi," which is Quechua for children's house or daycare

"I worked so much harder on this trip than I ever have in my life. It was a combination of the fact that the work was so rigorous and so rewarding," said a B3 student who helped rebuild an aqueduct destroyed in a 2007 earthquake

"We're fortunate to be a part of such an active and compassionate community," said Amy Schroeder-Riggio, executive director of B3. "Our February groups significantly improved the quality of life in our host communities. More importantly, our students have come to realize that community service, whether local or global, can be an adventure that rewards everyone involved."

"Especially in recognition of the relief work going on in Haiti, and now in Chile, it's vital to inspire young people to get involved and also help them realize that long term aid is also needed," added Ms. Schroeder-Riggio. Areas of Peru are still recovering from major earthquakes in 2007

A total of four teams (composed of 40 volunteers each) will return to Peru during March and April vacations to finish work on B3's projects and share in what many descibe as a life-changing experience

Builders Beyond Borders provides high school students the opportunity to engage in humanitarian service, strengthen their awareness of diverse cultures, and develop a lifelong commitment to helping others by participating in construction projects to benefit impoverished communities throughout the world

Students from Weston who traveled with B3 this past February include Kristin Ackerman, Erin Ackerman, Graham Anderson, Kathryn Bacher, Bryce Barker, Justine Belport, Gracie Bensimon, Sam Champtaloup, Anahita Daghoghi, Anna Dickstein, Claire Dwyre, Daniella Emanuel, Gabriel Fraboni, Emma Gantz, Bradford Ganz, Jessica Gersh, Julia Harris, Valerie Hassan, Alana Hassan, Maximillian Ingall, Travis James, Jordana Koffsky, Nicole Lauria, Halle Lucas, Carey-Jayne Marvin, Elizabeth Mauer, Jacqueline McGee, Alec Nimkoff, Caroline Quinn, Stefan Rehr, Evan Renaud, Nicholas Richter, Kelsey Sacane, Janey Schachte, Samantha Schwarz, Jamie Shankman, Carleigh Sher, Chase Steinke, John Strauss, Joan Trachtenburg, David Wall, Colin Wyler, Cara Zembsch and Juliet Zirn. Want more information regarding children's hand washing ?

For more information on B3 or to contact the Peace Corps, call Ben Samuel at 203-829-8028 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it