Graceland University’s Outreach International Club Raises Funds for Poverty

Club members display artwork from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Zambia

Graceland University’s Shaw Center, Lamoni, Iowa, is as far away from Masaya, Nicaragua, as one can socially, economically, and geographically be. But the Outreach International Art Show, sponsored by Graceland Outreach International Club, held February 12–26, brought those thousands of miles within an arm’s length. A charity auction held February 26 included pieces of art native to Nicaragua, Zambia, and Dominican Republic. Paintings, bowls, ceramics, and hammocks from these regions brought in $2,620 for the campus organization. The show represented the Graceland students who visited these areas and witnessed firsthand the extreme poverty of these countries.

On campus, OI has grown both in size and activity this year. The group has sponsored several beans-and-rice meals to raise the awareness of poverty. Members are often seen around campus barefoot and wearing T-shirts with the slogan, “I am not wearing shoes because 16,000 kids will die of hunger today.”

Max Pitt, business professor, visited Nicaragua for the first time this year and has worked closely with the club ever since. In January, Pitt and twenty-six students came to an understanding of why the country has the second poorest economy behind Haiti by immersing themselves into the cultural and economic reality of Nicaragua. “Our experiences were life changing and heart wrenching,” Pitt said.

The group found more than poverty, though. They found an abundance of life, kindness, and hospitality at each door. Outreach International has worked this past year to raise the needed funds to build a well for the residents of a Nicaraguan community. This is a community without clean drinking water, something we take for granted on a daily basis. The art show was just one inspiration from their Nicaragua trip. They also held a beans and rice benefit dinner at the 2007 World Conference.

Club co-leader Allie Petrie has traveled to Nicaragua three times and feels passionately about ending world poverty. “My life has been profoundly affected by this year’s trip. I am not the same person as before,” she said. The group’s message is inspiring people to educate themselves on what they can do to better our world.

Outreach International at Graceland is doing a fantastic job of raising the awareness of poverty in the world. It’s an outstanding group.—Matthew Naylor, Outreach International president

Outreach is the most active and effective peace and justice organization on campus.—Bill Russell, Graceland University professor

It was evident from our first community visit that we, as college students, and more importantly as humans, could not sit by and allow such injustices to continue.—Joel Hawkins, Graceland University junior

The group has been taking time since the art show to visit congregations around the Lamoni and Kansas City area to share their message. The connection between Masaya, Lamoni, Independence, and the world is happening, one student at a time.

—Zach Laughlin reporting,
Graceland University
Outreach International Club