The student body of the State University of New York at
Geneseo, Enlace Project’s biggest partner in Study Abroad programs, is about to
get a whole new look into El Sauce. A student-led initiative is in the process
of forming the Enlace Project Geneseo
club, which hopes to serve as “an organized connection to Enlace Project
for anyone in Geneseo who has an interest in the programs (that they offer).” Additionally, the
group will run fundraisers and keep students who have participated in past
programs in contact with each other and with El Sauce.
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| Students from SUNY Geneseo working with Enlace Project members to begin planning some club activities. |
Christopher Pike (known as Topher) is a Senior Business
Administration and International Relations double major at Geneseo. Supported
by the Frank Vafier Student Ambassadorship Grant, Topher decided to work with
Enlace through a project he entitled “Sustainable Non-Profit Management in El
Sauce, Nicaragua.” The goals of this project include learning about the
operations of Enlace Project and creating “a stronger fundraising and
information network between El Sauce and Geneseo.”
Topher originally became involved with Enlace Project
through Geneseo’s Humanities II program over the summer of 2012. He explains that
he was very impressed with the work that Enlace Project was doing, and believed
that the Student Ambassadorship would be a great opportunity for him to apply
his skills to Enlace Project’s mission.
During Geneseo’s Humanities II program in the summer of
2013, Topher once again traveled to El Sauce, this time with the mission of learning
about Enlace Project’s work and collecting photographs and videos to use in his
project. He accompanied Kellan to school openings, worked with Enrique Corrales
to learn about the microloan program, and sat in on the weekly staff meetings.
Now that he has returned to Geneseo, he hopes to start the Enlace project
Geneseo club.
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| Topher Pike during his first visit to Nicaragua. |
The club, which is currently seeking recognition by the
college, has about twenty students involved, and hopes to expand membership to include
Geneseo community members. Most of the current members have previously traveled
to El Sauce, and are hoping to remain in touch with the community. On October 18th, from 5-8pm on
the College Union Patio in Geneseo, the group will be hosting a benefit concert
and selling baskets from the Fuente de Pino women’s cooperative.
Topher is also working on compiling an informational video
for Enlace project and create advertising materials for future trips.
--Written by Sean Conner, Enlace Project Intern
“Enlace Project not only made my time in Nicaragua extremely
enjoyable, they helped me discover a passion for international development.”
-Topher Pike
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