Day 7: Radio Show, Newspaper, School, and Dinner Theatre

We woke up early in the morning at 6:00 am. Why? you may you ask. Because WE WERE GOING TO BE ON THE RADIO!!! Then we ate breakfast at 6:30 am and we left for the radio station. Danny G asked us each individually questions about where we from, what are our majors and how do we feel being in Bland. And it was so excited because this was the first time for each of us to be on the radio! We felt like we are kind of celebrity. Then we went to Enterprise News Paper based in Wytheville. One of the reporters interviewed us about what do we think about our experience in Bland and what we gain from this trip.

At 9:30 am, we went back to Bland High School again and helped with the librarians or Elementary School teachers whatever they need us to do. Some of us organized the high school library; some tutored 4th graders' reading, 6th graders' Math or 7th graders' science. We loved going back to the school, especially to see the 6th graders in Mrs. Blessing and Ms. Spurgeon's class. They were also very very very excited to see us back there at the school. Steph, Kemi, and Rachel went with the 6th graders to help them with math, and science. Manpreet, Sabrina, and Kelsie worked with Ms. Burton's 4th grade class. Mariel and Dianna worked hard in the library, Thomas and Matt helped the 7th grade class. Carah and Sarah took care of the 2nd grade class. Mr. & Mrs. Bolling brought us all a delicious lunch that we ate in the cafeteria.  When we all finished our work around 2:30 pm, some of us went to some of the classrooms to play Silence Game with the kids and it was a lot of fun! Before we left, the kids gave us big hugs...the biggest hugs in the world and told us they really appreciate what we did. They are so adorable. One of the boys even sending each of us a piece of paper with his name on and let us Facebook him!

Back at the camp site, we had reflection about what we got from this trip daily. Each of us had a better understanding about rural poverty and we were glad that we could help the community in whatever way we can. We are even more grateful for what we have. Then we prepared for our Theater Dinner!!!!!

We arrived at Wohlfahrt, the dinner theater, at 7:00 pm. We had two tables for our group. the food was great. first we had appetizers, the we had the main meal which was chicken, ham, potatoes, steamed vegetables. Before the show started the announcer gave our group: The University of Maryland Alternative Breaks" a shout out, and everyone clapped for us, then the show started. The show that was playing was "Southern Nights". It featured a group of performers based in the south who sung a variety of country songs. Some of our favorite songs were: Country Road, If I told you you had a good body would you hold it against, 40 hour week, song of the south, Island in the stream, tiger by the tale, my daddy's hands, Will the circle be unbroken-brought back memories. In between the show there was an intermission where they served dessert. For desert we had apple pie and ice cream, it was delicious. The play continued with more country songs and ended with "God Bless the USA" in an amazing finally where they dropped this 15ft American Flag. After the show we got to meet the performers who were very nice.

Then we headed back to camp laurel for our last reflection and our last night. We got back at 11pm. When we settled down we revealed our spies for our spy game we began at the beginning of the week. We were all very surprised at who our spies were. What was even more surprising was how much information they had on everyone and how much information we had on each other. Spies mentioned things that a lot of us forgot that we even talked about. Carah was Kemi's spy and she mentioned some cabin talks that were a little embarrassing(I tried to make cabin talks off limits but it didn't work). After the spy game we opened out letter to ourselves that we wrote before we left for the trip. We read these letters and picked out the views that changed, the expectations that were fulfilled, the accomplishments we made, what we gained and what we learned.  After we reviewed our accomplishments from the letters we all signed pledge cards. We pledged to get back home and do two things that would make an impact, then signed it. Each person had an individual specific pledge that they made.

Lastly, we called it a night...the last night, and all our tired bodies went to sleep.

­--Carah & Kemi 

Day 6: Bumblebees

This morning, we woke up to temperatures in the high teens and snow! As the rest of us were showering or sleeping, Diana was learning to make biscuits in the kitchen with Mr. Bowling. They were delicious with homemade apple butter.

After some initial delay and a lively game of Jenga, we were able to navigate the snowy roads and head out for the day.

We traveled to the Bland County Courthouse to meet with Drew Lumpkin from Senator Warner's office and Eric Workman, the County Administrator. The key point of our conversation was the emphasis on attachment to a sense of place for the people of Bland, Va. While we were introduced to familiar aspects of Bland, Virginia such as low income levels, it was surprising to learn that the unemployment level was low and that most citizens of Bland, VA prefer the lifestyle they already live. Since cost of living is low in this area, a low income earning isn't as bad as one would think. Still, the high unemployment rate complicates the availability of government assistance for those who actually need it.

We were also able to meet two representatives from the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SRCAP), Melissa Stephens and Maxine Waller. Although much of our trip planning is done in conjunction with Audra Repass, the Bland County project manager, SRCAP acts as a volunteer placement liaison for UMD AB programs. Mrs. Waller told us a story about research scientists who proved that bumblebees cannot actually fly because it is aerodynamically impossible. "A bumblebee's little bitty wings can't carry his big ol' fat butt," she told us. Then, she told us that we were all bumblebees, since we prove wrong the stereotypes about disinterested and uninvolved young people.

Next, we visited the Kissito Healthcare facility, where we played games, talked, constructed bead jewelry with the patients there. We heard stories from different residents, including Miss Ruby, who was 102, and Mr. Bob, who showed us his Emory and Henry College football championship ring. Miss Vicky made necklaces with us and told us about her many nieces and nephews, and the patients seemed to enjoy us as much as we enjoyed them.

Back at the camp, minister and musician Alan Ashworth joined us for a lasagna dinner, and we were fortunate enough to have him play numerous requests on his guitar. We originally planned to light a bonfire afterwards, but it turned out to be too cold and wet for such an occasion. We instead went straight through to reflection time and made three column value-practice-goals charts that emphasized the importance of alignment of one's ideology with daily life and eventually one's goals in life. In addition, we split up into two groups and debated whether or not international aid should be drastically cut. While Kelsey gave numerous strong arguments that seemed to dominate the debate, the debate allowed all of us to consider the issue more carefully and be more comfortable with our own positions of the particular issue.

At the end of the day, as we head through the snow and 19 degree wind back to our cabins, we look forward to tomorrow and our last full day in Bland, VA.

--Thomas and Sarah 

Day 5: Education and Music

Today we ventured to Bland Elementary, Middle, and High School. We were able to observe classrooms and interact with some of the students. We were involved with everything from working in computer labs to helping out at the book fair to playing with the youngsters on the playground. The kids that we worked with at Bland Elementary were some of the cutest kids we've ever met. Helping out at the book fair and working with them in the classroom was very rewarding and some of the kids even want us to be pen pals! We also talked with the principal who was very nice and told us about the school and what it's like to go to school in Bland County.

After we arrived back to camp, we ate a delicious dinner (hamburgers and snickerdoodles!!!) and headed out for some great southern-style rock music played by Pastor Alan and his other band members at Central Church. The drive to the church was very beautiful and we got to see more of the area and farmland surrounding Bland.

The music was wonderful and the band played many different types of songs from country and bluegrass to rock. The four men in the band were funny and were happy to tell us about their lives in Bland and about the lifestyles of the people in Bland County. It was very interesting to be able to learn more about Bland through the eyes of the locals and what makes life here unique. All of the men (and all of the other people we've met here) love the area and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Overall it was a great day and we're excited for tomorrow!

-Keslie and Diana

Day 4: Best Day Ever

We woke up today to lovely weather and thankfully no rain. We all headed to the dining building for a delicious breakfast of sausage, bacon, pancakes, and fruit loops. After breakfast we piled into the van and went to the ministry center. It was DeDe's 50th birthday so the other volunteers had planned a surprise and decorated her office. We all sang happy birthday to her and then got right to work. We split up into different groups where some people helped with the clothes closet, some people helped unpack food, and others worked in the office.

The people at the ministry center were extremely friendly and it was fun getting to know them. Matt and Thomas worked the food drive and trashed the empty boxes. The entire group set up tables for all the food and created a conveyor belt where all the food was passed down. The people coming to the food drive would give their ticket to Ed and then the group loaded up their cars with boxes of food.

Kemi and Steph worked in the office answering phones for the ministry center and helped clean DeDe's office. Dede and the other volunteers were so thankful for the help and it felt really rewarding to be able to help them with their great cause. Also Diana, Sabrina, Rachel and Steph worked in the warehouse organizing boxes and boxes of things. The team really DEPENDED on us to get the job done and we tried to do it with as much POISE as possible.

After breaking for lunch, a big trunk came in from Charlotte, North Carolina. The company that sent it was called Blanket Ministries and together we helped to unload it. It was filled with clothes and furniture from families that donated it. At first it seemed like it would take forever to unload the trunk since it was huge, but together we got it done and afterwards it felt like we had accomplished so much.

We traveled to Cascade Falls for a scenic four mile hike. Matt took 50 pictures of all the girls once we reached the waterfall after 2 miles. When hiking up to the waterfall we decided to take the harder path and then coming back from it we split up. At the waterfall we reflected and admired how beautiful it was. During reflection we discussed current events and social issues along with stereotypes of different ethnicities, genders, and ages. We then enjoyed a fantastic dinner and finished our food within minutes because we were all starving. Overall, it was our favorite day of the trip so far because we did so much and felt like we really made a difference volunteering! Can't wait for tomorrow!

P.S. we tried a trick on YouTube out. We lit a piece of newspaper and put it in a bottle and then put a hardboiled egg on top of the bottle.  A miracle occurred and the egg was pulled through the bottleneck!!

Matt and Steph :) 

Day 3: Game Night

We've only been here for two days and it feels like we've known each other for such a long time! It's ridiculous! We thought the early morning wake up would be hard, but who knew that 7:00 wasn't all that early!? The weather is getting a lot better or maybe we're just getting used to the cold... This morning we were SHOWERED with tasty food: biscuits, pancakes, sausage, bacon, the list goes on =) Singing in the van isn't as bad when you have someone accompanying you.  It sure doesn't help though when Thomas is filming it. Not to call him out or anything, but he also has a knack for switching radio stations from Avril Lavigne to classic rock...yay hotel California.

We met a nice lady named Pat Nelson (and her snappy dog Chloe), who needed help renovating her house and patching it up. After a few minutes of work, we realized how much it meant to her to have company, just people around to talk to. It sounded like she needed more than just physical support, but emotional as well. Painting was an interesting experience for all of us, especially Chloe the terrier who seemed to suspect the roller of illicit activities...mainly dripping on the carpet. Good call, Chloe. (shoutout#2).

The painting was interesting because we found a couple different colors we weren't expecting (who knew purple paint could turn white?!?) and we also found some interesting aspects of Ms. Nelson's life that caught our eyes. Hellooooo class of '87 yearbook! Her daughter was homecoming queen and cheerleader that year, and we could all see Ms. Nelson's face light up when she talked about her. That, and just generally when she talked about her family it always seemed with loving care and attachment. One of the things that Deedee the Ministry Center manager told us was that even though Ms. Nelson had family (that even lived across the street from her), that didn't mean that she was getting the help she needed. It was for this reason that we noticed how thoughtfully she talked about her family.

At the end of the day, we received our lovely service shirts from ASB. The quote was very thought-provoking. So thought-provoking in fact that our mental faculties were on point when it came to playing the game "mafia". Highlights: Diana always seemed to hear people moving as a tip-off for when they were mafia; Manpreet's suspicious silence and Kemi's ridiculous laughter were polar opposites, and gave them away almost immediately; there was only one time when the townspeople won....good job guys.

Excited for more Bland Ministry Center tomorrow!

Deuces, Mariel and Sabrina

Day 2: Thanksgiving

The morning started with everyone enjoying a delicious breakfast from Mr. and Mrs. Bollings. Then we tried to leave for church, but the van got stuck in the mud. We got to enjoy an impromptu team building exercise by pushing the massive 12 person van out of the mud. It was exhilarating. When we finally made it to church, we were surprised by how small and closeknit the congregation was. There were about 18 people not including us, and none were below the age of 40. Additionally, everyone knew each other by name and everyone was very excited that we were there. 

After church, we came to Camp Laurel for lunch, another hit by the Bollings. Then, we drove to the Bloomin' Idiots Greenhouses, a ten year old wholesale distributor of flowers, herbs, and vegetables. They also own 500-600 acres of farmland, including Red Angus cows, goats, chickens, and ducks. They were nice enough to let us terrorize their chickens and take pictures of their livestock. Some of us were brave/lucky enough to hold some of their chickens. Kelsie became best friends with one of their cats. The cat jumped on her and wouldn't let her go, in a good way. The owners were incredibly nice people and even made brownies for our group. We all really enjoyed seeing the farm and hearing stories about the farm lifestyle. 

When we came back from the greenhouses, we were welcomed by the Bollings with a Thanksgiving feast, except instead of pumpkin pie, we had amazing peach cobbler and ice cream. Then, we all needed a short break to digest before our reflection time. We watched a short video presenting statistics on rural and agricultural aspects of poverty in the United States. We then got artistic and drew pictures that represented the terms community, service, and poverty. We compared the dictionary definition for these terms to our personal representations of them. Finally, we divided the group in half, and each team was asked to prepare a skit that represented a quote:

"Each of us guards a gate of change that can only be unlocked from the inside. We cannot open the gate of another either by argument or by emotional appeal." - Marily Ferguson. 

The other group prepared a skit involving a "cold" group member who didn't want anyone else's coat/help from anyone else. Rather, she wanted to make the choice to get her own coat for herself. Our group, clearly the better one, decided to represent the quote with the Big Bad Wolf and the Three Little Piggies. First, the wolf asked the piggies nicely for sugar (like in the Wolf's Perspective) and when they said no then he resorted to huffing and puffing to get past their gate. So in this case, the asking for sugar represented emotional appeal while huffing and puffing represented the argument. Either way, unlike the children's story, the gate (house) never fell down because the piggies never said yes. This then led to a discussion about the quote and how it related to rural poverty. As a group we decided that people can be given help, but they also have the choice to decide they want the help, and that's what really makes the difference. 

            BED TIME! at 9:30....................

            BUT WE'RE HAVING SO MUCH FUN! And we are really excited to actually go work with the community of Bland tomorrow!

-Rachel and Manpreet <3 

Meeting the Community

Today was the first day that we actually went to the town of Bland and got a chance to work with the community! The community atmosphere that you feel when you come to a small town like Bland, Virginia is unbelievable. Everyone is very friendly and concerned about each others well being!

Yesterday when we went to the Blooming Idiots farm we were trying to find the right place to park our van, when all of a sudden the couple in the car behind us pulled up next to us because we may have looked a little lost and they asked "Do you guys know where you are going? We can help." The willingness that people here have to help their family, friends, and even strangers amazes me!

Before first arriving to Bland on Saturday I had heard that small communities were always very friendly and close knit! But to experience this was completly different. On Sunday we went to church with the Bollings and everyone in the church knew who everyone was and everyone cared for each others well being! This certain characteristic of a community is hard to find in a group of people that are always concerned about their individual lives and problems! It is refreshing to meet a community that is genuinely happy to help and accommodate everyone!

Today we went to Mrs. Pat Nelson's house to paint the ceilings and walls in her home! While we were painting we were rewarded with stories of Mrs. Nelson's family and childhood! She was a very sweet lady who was very happy to have us there helping her! She also told us a story about how there was a big mamma bear and her three little cubs outside across the street from her house!

It's personal stories like these about families and childhoods that I hear from the community that make me realize how truly lucky I am to be here in a community like Bland helping the people I am this week!

-Manpreet