Voices And Poverty Vows

March 17, 2009, 10:42 PM
Filed under: Service Learning

By Meredith Grady

Once a semester, Emmanuel College Service Learning, called Koinonia, facilitates a Wednesday night chapel service. The focus of fall 2008 was poverty. A message was conveyed through statistics, video, and student speakers. Perhaps the most striking testimony was that of two students who voluntarily took a vow of poverty to understand how to approach the issue. They explained their week long experience to the rest of the student body, and then allowed for other curious students to take on a challenge similar to theirs. Seniors Brittani Panozzo and LJ Gay gave up their cars, cell phones, and simple luxuries (like shampoo) to increase their ability to sympathize with the poor.

Their stories inspired several other students to take a vow of poverty afterward. All of the students involved with this vow said they felt very grateful after the experience, because it made them realize how much they took for granted. A deeper appreciation for basic necessities and a broadened perspective- these are just two of the results of these sacrificial vows. EC’s Service Learning continues to receive positive feedback on the service.