Janette Miller is ready to spend her spring break in Mexico, but she won't find much time to relax.
"There's plenty of sand, but it has nothing to do with laying on the beach," Janette Miller said.
While most Ball State students would spend a spring break in Mexico partying, 17 students will go to Juarez, Mexico, to build a house for a family living in poverty.
The Christian Student Foundation, a student organization at Ball State, will make its ninth trip and build its 10th house. Participants work with the group Casas por Cristo, (Houses because of Christ) to build a house, on their own, in four days. Miller, a graduate student majoring in executive development, will be participating in her sixth trip to Juarez. She has worked with Casas por Cristos for the past two summers, working with student groups all over the United States.
Ball State students will be building for Clara Maria Siguentas Mendez, a single mother of four children. The family is currently living in a house made of wood and cardboard.
Students raise their own money for the materials and travel expenses, about $700 per person. Any leftover money is donated for food and clothing to the people of Juarez.
"Do not worry about raising the money for the trip because there are always people who are willing to help," said Matt Stafford, Campus Minister for the Christian Student Foundation.
This year students will be visiting an orphanage to pass out clothing upon completion of the house.
"The first time people go, they are shocked at how differently people live right across the border," Miller said.
She insisted that experience is not necessary to be a participant.
"I have worked with groups that did not know how to use a hammer," Miller said.
Being a Christian is not necessary to participate in the trip. Last year, three Buddhist students from Japan participated.
"Just by giving four days of your life and $700 you can change the life of a family forever," Miller said.
Stafford said he encourages any students who wish to participate to get involved.
"We wake up at 6 a.m. and work until 6 p.m. It is very hard work but very satisfying," Stafford said.
Miller said much can be gained from the experience.
"One of the biggest things that people realize when they come back from the trip is how much emphasis our society puts on money," Miller said. "Money does not equal happiness. The sense of satisfaction that one receives from doing work like this is a far greater gift."
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