We plan to visit Trinidad and Tobago this December, where Kalamazoo College maintains a study abroad program with the University of the West Indies (UWI).We will share this experience with the Kalamazoo College women’s volleyball team, who in recent years has traveled to both China and Costa Rica as part of their K-Plan enrichment. During this trip, we plan to work with UWI to provide training and competition at their facilities, and facilitate college workshops for underprivileged kids. UWI faculty will also lead us in cultural lessons and trips. Moreover, this trip will also be a personal one for Coach Shabazz, as he was born in Trinidad and looks forward to the opportunity to do service work at his early childhood primary school in Marabella, and additional service work with the Bridges of Hope orphanage in the capital of Port of Spain.
There is no doubt that our student-athletes would benefit greatly from such group travel and experiences. Not only will we have an increased sense of our world, but the shared experience will enhance our bond as teammates and competitors. As we begin to engage one another, we create a world where we are connected, and where we are all ambassadors of the ideals we embrace as student-athletes and coach educators here at Kalamazoo College.
Our mission as their coaches’ demands that we seek these opportunities for transformative experiences, and that we teach them to use their athletic experience to enhance leadership, business, academics, relationships, and ultimately, joy!
This trip will cost approximately $1,500 for travel, food, and housing for each player, trainer, and coach. We hope to offset these costs as much as possible through fundraising support. I write to ask you to support a trip of a lifetime for this team. It will make us better teams and better programs. It will also impact our student-athletes for years to come. Will you make a gift to support us?
You can also give securely online at the following links:
Kalamazoo College Men’s Soccer: http://www.kzoo.edu/giving/trinidadsoccer
Kalamazoo College Women’s Volleyball: http://www.kzoo.edu/giving/trinidadvball
We ask that you please make your gift by Friday, November 7th, 2015.
We can be reached at (269)615-5682/ Lumumba.Shabazz@kzoo.edu or (269) 207-4133/ Jeanne.Hess@kzoo.edu to answer questions or discuss this opportunity further. Thank you for your consideration!
Yours in Sport,
Lumumba Shabazz
Head Men’s Soccer Coach
Jeanne Hess
Head Volleyball Coach