[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Eight people from Calumet College of Saint Joseph [/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][CCSJ], which is sponsored by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, spent a week at La Labor, Guatemala in May. Students, faculty and staff members of the college have been doing outreach service work at Sangre de Cristo parish and the surrounding 13 villages for the past ten years.

This year the group was involved with several mission outreach projects. The college group carried over 650 pounds of various school, sewing, religious and dental goods to the 14 villages of La Labor.

One afternoon the group members helped in the dental hygiene outreach program that the health project of the parish offers to various grade schools. Volunteers gave toothbrushes and toothpaste to school children, then taught them the importance of good dental care.

The CCSJ members also had the opportunity to visit the school that is associated with Sangre de Cristo parish in La Labor. The school, the María de Mattias Education Institute, is overseen by Sr. Kris Schrader, ASC. The college brought 278 Spanish school books. Most of these new books were donated by Saint John the Baptist School in Hammond, Ind. The books will be used by the mobile school library. Also, the group helped paint the exterior of the recreational/multipurpose court for the institute.

An afternoon was spent at the sewing center in La Laguneta, Guatemala. The college helped purchase several sewing machines for the local church in order for the women to learn sewing skills. The sewing project has been a tremendous success. Several groups of women have completed the sewing courses and now are making school uniforms and other clothing items for their children. It is a way for the women to learn a skill and spend less money on clothing for their families.

Text and Photo: Jerry Schwieterman, CPPS[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]