Thursday, October 18
Alternative Fall Break
Hendersonville, NC - Migrant Farm Worker Issues Fall 2007
Pre-Departure Orientation
After applications have been turned in, a number of potential participants will be invited back for an interview. If selected, participants will be required to attend one brief pre-departure orientation to receive additional information and also meet the other members of their groups.
Service Experience
The twelve participants worked with with immigrant, migrant workers in two different locations.
- The Blue Ridge Health Clinic – a local, nonprofit group that has four locations in Hendersonville. The Clinic is designed to ensure “medical and dental services in particular to residents who are low income, uninsured, underinsured, and Spanish-speaking.”
- Henderson County Habitat for Humanity – a branch of the international Habitat for Humanity group, this is a group that helps build homes for people at affordable prices. The family seeking a home must work with members of the community to build their home.
- El Centro Hispanic Community Center – a Hispanic community center that provides information and services to the Latino community, as well as promoting awareness of Latino issues in the broader community.
Reflections
After dinner each day, group participants set aside time reflect on the day. Issues affecting migrant workers were discussed, as well as what went on during the day.
Housing
The group stayed in log cabins in Bat Cave, NC, a town close to Hendersonville. The cabins were rustic and served mainly as a place to sleep and interact. The group shopped for and cooked their meals each night.
Free Time
On working days, the group arose at 8 a.m. and worked until 5 or 6 p.m. During free time, members got to know one another, helped cook food, and explored the town of Hendersonville. On one day, the group went to a traditional immigrant Mexican restaurant for lunch.
Post-Trip Follow-Up
After the trip, participants made short presentation about their experiences to other alternative fall break trip groups.
Fall 2007 Itinerary |
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| The group arrived in the afternoon on Thursday. They unpacked their bags, got acquainted with the cabins they were staying in, and walked to downtown Hendersonville where they explored the town. | |
Friday, October 19 |
Woke up at 8 a.m. and went to the Blue Ridge Health Clinic. The group members talked to migrant workers there to learn more about their situation. They also learned more about the clinic itself. Vishal Dhandha, one of the group leaders, said of the clinic: “They don’t close their doors to them so that’s something good.” After working at the clinic, the students went back to the cabins and prepared their dinner. Afterwards, there was a period of reflection about the day. |
Saturday, October 20
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The group woke up at 8 a.m. and went to work at a Habitat for Humanity site. They worked on gardening, stuccoing, and spreading hay around the site. They also competed with another volunteer group. The group finished work there and again went back to the cabins to cook and eat. |
Sunday, October 21 |
The group returned to Chapel Hill. |
To obtain contact information for the current AFB Chair, please refer to the APPLES' Organizers directory.
