JBU Students Worked on Economics in Guatemala

Nine students from John Brown University in Siloam Springs spent their spring break helping develop economic projects in Guatemala.

From March 12-21, JBU’s Students in Free Enterprise group undertook several projects in Santa Cruz, a village of about 2,000 people three and a half hours north of Guatemala City. Among other things, the JBU students taught a seminar on waste management, helped residents build a playground for children and conducted a soccer camp, said Mandy Moore, a JBU business student and the SIFE team spokeswoman.

The students are also importing a variety of goods from Guatemala to be sold through the Internet and at Siloam Springs’ Dogwood Festival, which will be held April 23-25. The items include garments, purses, belts, blankets and tablecloths.

Moore’s father, Dr. Paul Campbell, a family-practice physician in Tulsa, traveled with the group to Guatemala and conducted an open clinic where he treated 460 people.

Moore’s sister, Lyndsey Campbell, a nursing student at Oklahoma State University, taught first aid to more than 200 people and CPR to about 50 during the trip.

“I think anytime you go on a trip like this you really want to be a blessing to other people,” Moore said. “But they were such a blessing to us. They really impacted us.”

Joe Walenciak, a professor and chairman of JBU’s business department, accompanied the students to Guatemala. Walenciak is currently on sabbatical from JBU.