Jan 22, 2012
International Samaritan featured in the National Jesuit News.
On January 17, 2012, National Jesuit News featured International Samaritan in their article "The Holy Spirit Drives Jesuit to Serve Garbage Dump Communities."From an interview with Fr. Vettese, the article captures the history of our organization, beginning with the first trip to the Guatemala City garbage dump in 1994. Read more...
Dec 7, 2011
Boston Globe features a photo-essay on the efforts of Guatemalans salvaging their living in “The Mine.”
Rodrigo Abt, a photojournalist for the Associated Press, documents the lives of people overlooked by the rest of the Guatemalan society. In the November 15, 2011 edition of “The Big Picture” Abd follows Guatemalans who are scavenging for scrap metal. “The Mine” is a massive garbage dump in Guatemala City just Read more...
Oct 26, 2011
The Call to Serve: Fr. Dean Brackley, SJ
On November 16, 1989, six Jesuit priests and the housekeeper and her daughter were dragged from their rooms at the Jesuit residence at the University of Central America (UCA) in San Salvador, El Salvador. They were pulled from their rooms to the ground of the courtyard, where they were Read more...
Sep 21, 2011
Special Announcement: United Nations Recognizes I.S. for Poverty Relief Work
International Samaritan (I.S.) was granted Special Consultative Status from the United Nations earlier this month, recognized by the UN as an important voice in issues pertaining to poverty relief. “We are privileged to join with the United Nations and other NGOs in the fight to help alleviate severe poverty in developing Read more...workswithProgramDirectorAndrewPawukatI.S.Office5hh.jpg)
Sep 21, 2011
Intern Gives Extraordinary Amount of Time, Energy and Heart
Sam Shopinski, of Detroit, has started a one-year internship with International Samaritan (I.S.). He will be assisting with program development, meeting with campus ministers, and conducting presentations about I.S. service learning trips. Sam is also assisting in video production. “We are extremely grateful for Sam’s volunteer work,” said Fr. Don Vettese, Read more...
Sep 15, 2011
I.S. Volunteer and Poet, Michael Lauchlan, Chronicles Life of the Garbage Dump Dweller
In El Ocotillo, Honduras A parade descends from El Ocotillo past a mother whose new baby sleeps as she stirs a pot over a wood fire, past the yard of Dona Elena, who fled here after Mitch, past the improvised gravesite where bony cattle browse the trash, past the unlikely schoolyard and up to the dump. The parade- ninos y Read more...
Sep 8, 2011
2012 Service Trip Schedule
International Samaritan is looking for individuals and groups to volunteer on the following service trips and medical missions in 2012: Haiti, February 12-18 Participants are needed to help build a new orphanage and classrooms for victims of the 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince. Read more....jpg)
Sep 6, 2011
I.S. School Celebrates New Seventh Grade Classrooms
Last year, more than 50 children were unable to attend school in Ocotillo. As the population of the garbage dump community grows, so do the needs at International Samaritan’s School. Without an education, the children will have few choices; many will end up working in the garbage dump the rest Read more...
Sep 2, 2011
UN Recognition of International Samaritan Featured in the News
The Toledo Blade featured International Samaritan today in an article by Reporter David Yonke titled International Samaritan granted consultative status by U.N. In the article, I.S. Executive Director Oscar Dussan, talks about the special recognition from the United Nations and how it will impact International Samaritan's work Read more...
Aug 23, 2011
Service Trip Volunteer to Become I.S.'s First Speech Ambassador
"I felt like God answered my prayer," said 17-year-old Ashlynne Basile (standing far right). As Ashlynne Basile prepared to start her senior year at Regina High School in Warren, Michigan, she kept thinking that if there was one thing she would change about her high Read more...
Aug 19, 2011
Biking for Bowls Starts Today - Help Raise Funds to Feed the School Children of Ocotillo
Volunteers embarked on a 335 mile bike-a-thon today to raise funds for school lunches for the children living in the garbage dump community of Ocotillo, Honduras. In 2008, International Samaritan (I.S.) built the first grade school and nursery in Ocotillo and began a lunch program. Through the food program, Read more...
Aug 17, 2011
I.S.'s Most Traveled Volunteer Reflects on his Feelings About the Garbage Dump Community of Ocotillo, Honduras
Last week, we said goodbye to Matt Ippel who has interned with International Samaritan two summers in a row. Matt was our 2010 Samaritan of the Year. He is also our most traveled volunteer having been to Honduras four times and Haiti once. Below, Matt reflects on his work with International Samaritan Read more...
Aug 9, 2011
335-Mile Bike-a-Thon to Raise Funds for School Lunches in Ocotillo, Honduras
Mark your calendars for the second annual International Samaritan charity bike-a-thon. Biking for Bowls riders are asked to raise a minimum of $100, which will pay for one child’s school lunch for an entire year. THE DATES: August 19-21 THE DISTANCE: 335 miles *Riders can join in for one, two, or all three Read more...
Aug 8, 2011
Saying Goodbye - Hearts Transformed
“If what we want to accomplish is touching the hearts and minds of our service trip volunteers, I’d say we accomplished that one hundred percent,” said I.S. Trip Leader Matt Ippel, after the return of the latest group of International Samaritan volunteers from Honduras yesterday. The group of 11 finished and Read more...
Aug 3, 2011
The Dump
I am not sure where to start my thoughts.I think every member of the team has seen poverty at different times in our lives. Seeing the people and the activity at the dump, I think, has changed all of us in some way. I have seen pictures of this lifestyle, but Read more...
Aug 2, 2011
Teenagers Prompt Two Fathers to Volunteer
On Sunday, his birthday, Steve Kovach was on a plane bound for San Pedro Sula, Honduras. While trekking to one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere to volunteer in a garbage dump community may seem a strange way to celebrate your birthday, Kovach and his boss, Steve Basile, Read more...
Aug 1, 2011
Video, Article in Ann Arbor Journal Introduces International Samaritan Headquarters to Viewers
Want a peek at International Samaritan's headquarters? An article and video in today's Ann Arbor Journal gives viewers a look at the inner-workings of our mission. Go to the Ann Arbor Journal to view the article and videos.
In the two videos, Executive Director Oscar Dussan gives a tour Read more...
Jul 28, 2011
Kristi Braunlich Writes of the Success of her Recent I.S. Medical Mission
This letter was recently sent to our Executive Director, Oscar Dussan. In it, medical mission volunteer Kristi Braunlich describes why her trip with I.S. was a success. Thank you, Kristi, for allowing us to share your words and giving people insight into our medical missions.
Hi Oscar,
I wanted to thank you Read more...
Jul 27, 2011
"I Cannot Do Everything, But I Can at Least do Something."
Kristi Braunlich, 24, wanted to put her skills as a nurse to good use and help those in need before starting medical school this month, so she contacted International Samaritan to volunteer at our medical center in Ocotillo, a garbage dump community in Honduras. Kristi spent nine days assisting Read more...
Jul 26, 2011
Thanks to Lansing Campus Ministry Office for Endorsing I.S. Service Trips
SPECIAL THANKS to Pat Rinker, Director of the Diocese of Lansing Campus Ministry Office, for posting this wonderful endorsement:
Please consider International Samaritan if planning an international service trip for your college students or young adult groups. I have met with Oscar Dussan and was very pleased with their faith Read more...
Jul 25, 2011
International Samaritan Featured in Yesterday's Toledo Magazine
Photographs from Reporter David Yonke's trip with International Samaritan to the garbage dump community of Guatemala City were featured in yesterday's Toledo Magazine.
Click here to view Yonke's incredible photo montage.
Toledo Blade Reporter David Yonke traveled with a group of student volunteers from St. John's Jesuit of Toledo to the Read more...
Jul 19, 2011
2011 “Come and See” Gives Group Leaders a Feel for I.S. Service Trips
In late June, campus ministers from Ohio to California traveled with International Samaritan (I.S.) to the garbage dump community of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. There, they helped construct the walls for new classrooms at I.S.’s school, participated in reflections, and visited with children at International Samaritan’s nursery in order to Read more...
Jul 14, 2011
St. John's Jesuit Students Serve Children in Guatemala City Garbage Dump Community
Click here to read Toledo Blade article, St. John's Students Serve as Role Models, which is part of a series on International Samaritan service trips and programs.
Jul 13, 2011
Toledo Blade Series Highlights I.S. President's Work in Garbage Dump Communities
Click here to read the second part in the Toledo Blade series on International Samaritan's service trips and programs.
Toledo Blade Reporter David Yonke recently traveled with a group of student volunteers from St. John's Jesuit to the garbage dump community of Guatemala City. Yonke documented his travels with International Read more...
Jul 12, 2011
Toledo Blade Reporter Travels with International Samaritan to Report on Programs and Service Trips
Toledo Blade Reporter David Yonke recently traveled with a group of student volunteers from St. John's Jesuit to the garbage dump community of Guatemala City. Yonke documented his travels with International Samaritan in a front-page series of articles.
Click here to read the first part in the Toledo Blade Read more...
Jul 11, 2011
Service Trip has Impact on Student’s Faith, Friendships
This blog entry was written by St. Charles Prep student Mike Ginikos (pictured left).
I volunteered with International Samaritan through my school. Though the other volunteers are from my school, I really didn’t know any of them. They were from different groups and had different interests. But this trip has Read more...
Jul 1, 2011
St. Charles Prep Live Blog from Ocotillo- Day 2
During my junior year at St. Charles Preparatory School, I was given the opportunity to go on this mission trip. I decided to take up the opportunity for two reasons. One reason was for the experience of leaving the country and the other reason was a way to Read more...
Jun 30, 2011
Hurricane and Lack of Education Forces Many to Work in Dump
I was one of the lucky people to experience seeing the happiness in the children at the nursery. Though we did not bring toys to the children, the children were instantly happy to see us. My group consisted of 12 volunteers. The children ran right to us and Read more...
Jun 29, 2011
Saint John’s Jesuit Students Blog from the Garbage Dump Community of Guatemala City
Student Inspired by Teachers
Today, my classmates and I witnessed an almost surreal poverty. I went to the nursery today, and almost all facets of it were extremely surprising. The biggest surprise came from the teachers. The teachers immediately instilled admiration in my heart as they exerted tremendous, and more importantly, Read more...
Jun 29, 2011
St. Charles Prep Continues Work on Ocotillo Classroom Addition
Thanks to our many volunteers, a great deal of progress has been made on the expansion of International Samaritan’s school in the desperately poor garbage dump community of Ocotillo, Honduras. Volunteers from St. Charles Prep of Columbus, Ohio will continue the building project this week as part of their Read more...
Jun 22, 2011
St. John’s Jesuit Repairs Coll School
Twenty students from St. John’s Jesuit (SJJ) High School and Academy are volunteering with International Samaritan in the garbage dump community of Guatemala City. During the 10-day service learning trip, SJJ volunteers will be rehabilitating the Francisco Coll School.
”The foundation of the school is settling, causing the walls Read more...
Jun 18, 2011
Questions and Answers with U of D Jesuit Volunteers
Who is responsible for this level of poverty?
There are many factors that lead to the state of poverty that is present in El Ocotillo, as well as throughout the world. The lack of an organized government to provide such necessities as a strong infrastructure and clean drinking water inhibit the Read more...
Jun 17, 2011
Volunteer Reflections on Poverty
Guided Blog Reflection: What's the cause of poverty? How do you see poverty after your experience in Honduras?
Reflection I Matt Grabowski Class of 2012 U of D Jesuit High School
Many people believe that the cause of poverty is a lack of hard work or motivation on the part of those Read more...
Jun 16, 2011
U of D Building Walls and Relationships
Blog by Josh Roth (class of 2012, U of D Jesuit), pictured working in the International Samaritan Nursery in Ocotillo, Honduras.
San Pedro Sula, Honduras is a city in the world where faith, family, and work are the three critical things that make up an average life. Coming to San Pedro Read more...
Jun 16, 2011
I.S. Volunteers Make National News in Honduras
International Samaritan volunteers from the Kappa Alpha Order of Miami University made national headlines during their service learning trip to Honduras. The San Pedro Sula Press featured the student volunteers in an article about their work in the poverty-stricken country.
Kappa Alpha helped build new classrooms for seventh Read more...
Jun 15, 2011
News from U of D students - Tuesday
Blog post by Colin Means, a junior at U of D Jesuit (class of 2013) currently serving in Honduras.
Today, after two hours of hacking down weeds, I went with two other boys to the nursery in El Ocotillo. The kids in the nursery were happier than ever to see Read more...
Jun 14, 2011
U of D Student Blogs About Service Trip Experience in Honduras
Yesterday morning, during our second day in Honduras, the U of D mission trip ventured out for a new experience. We hopped into a bus at 8:30 to head to the main site of our Mission work; El Ocotillo.
Through countless presentations and speeches, we had a vague idea of Read more...
Jun 6, 2011
Service learning in Nicaragua
This article was published in The Independent Collegian Sunday, June 4, 2011.
By Megan Gross.
A group of Honors College students and a UT Honors professor came together to give back to those less fortunate, passing up pizza parties and trips to amusement parks.
Twelve students in the Honors Living Learning Community, traveled Read more...
May 10, 2011
I.S. Scholarship Student Works in Dump to Support Mother Through Cancer Treatment
At only 15 years old, Thelma Ordoñez risks her life each day sifting through garbage for recyclables and food for her family to eat. Her mother, Victoria, was diagnosed with cancer last summer. With no father present, Thelma and her siblings do what they can to survive.
Thelma lives in severe Read more...
Apr 19, 2011
Research Reveals Serving Others Changes the Heart
Volunteers Feel More Empathy, Have Better Understanding of PovertyIn research collected over the past four years, International Samaritan (I.S.) volunteers surveyed showed a significant change of heart in how they viewed the poor. The volunteers also showed a desire to learn more about poverty and how they could help alleviate Read more...
Apr 13, 2011
I.S. Breaks Ground on Seventh to Ninth Grade School in Honduras Garbage Dump community
International Samaritan broke ground on a seventh to ninth grade school in the desperately poor garbage dump community of Ocotillo, Honduras. According to the United Nations, the average adult in Honduras has a sixth grade education. A ninth grade education, along with job training, will give the children Read more...
Mar 14, 2011
Bringing Hope to Children of Garbage Dump Dwellers
For the children who live in the garbage dump community of Guatemala City, March 3, 2011 marked a momentous day - the dedication of the community’s first seventh to ninth grade school. The Santa Maria Basico School was built by International Samaritan (I.S.), in partnership with the municipality of Read more...
Feb 9, 2011
International Samaritan's Response to the Protests in Egypt; Prays for Missing Country Director
International Samaritan (I.S.), a nonprofit headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, started a housing program for the Coptic Christians living in the garbage dump community of Cairo in 2008. Taiseer Ahmed, a highly educated young woman who speaks four languages, was a natural choice to head up their programs in Egypt. Read more...
Jan 1, 2011
Help Us Build a Home for David
To kick-off the New Year, we would like to invite you to participate in a very special Raise the Roof for David fundraising event. In 2011, we are hoping to build a home for seven-year-old David Rapalo and his family. We met David on our fall medical mission to the garbage Read more...
Dec 15, 2010
In the midst of chaos, “There’s activity; there’s hope.”
Crystal Davidson is not a novice when it comes to service trips. Over the past few years, she has traveled with International Samaritan to some of the most poverty-stricken areas in the world. But when asked how her recent trip to Haiti differed from other service trips, she paused and Read more...
Nov 9, 2010
Three Young Men Exemplify International Samaritan
International Samaritan honored three of its volunteers at an award dinner held Wednesday, Nov. 3. Matt Ippel, John Brahier and Bart Thompson received awards for their years of exemplary volunteer service.
Matt Ippel, of Dearborn, was named Samaritan of the Year for 2010. Ippel (pictured) distinguished himself on all three Read more...
Oct 1, 2010
Medical Brigade Volunteers in Honduras Dump Community
Two years ago, Sylvania, Ohio resident Richard Flasck was on a medical service trip to the Ocotillo dump community in Honduras. The scene was chaotic. He watched the medical brigade treating hundreds of desperately poor people in make-shift triage rooms in the International Samaritan schools. There were dozens of children Read more...
Aug 16, 2010
Slumdog Tourism’ unfairly and inaccurately discounts the potential of witnessing the reality of extreme poverty in the world
Note: A commentary published in the New York Times on Aug. 11, 2010, written by Kennedy Odede, challenged the practice of humanitarians visiting impoverished regions of the world. Odede charged that "slum tourism turns poverty into entertainment, something that can be momentarily experienced and then escaped from." Fr. Don Vettese, Read more...
Aug 14, 2010
Poor kids in Guatemala plenty rich in fortitude
The love I received in Guatemala this summer was unlike any other I've experienced. Every day for 10 days, 18 children ages 2 and 3 greeted me with huge hugs and smiles - the genuine joy on Read more...
Aug 11, 2010
College students plan cycling trip from Ann Arbor to Harbor Springs to raise funds for Haiti
Bart Thompson and some friends are preparing for a 335-mile-long cycling trip from Ann Arbor to Harbor Springs, Michigan, to raise money for Haiti.
Thompson, a self-proclaimed "fitness junky," grew up in Ann Arbor and will be a pre-med junior at Stanford University in the fall. With help from friends, Read more...