Recurso UF, a nonprofit international development organization with overseas initiatives in health, education and development, is planning its first service trip to Lima, Peru, to celebrate its 10th anniversary and return to its founders’ birthplace.
Nicole Dagata, a 21-year-old UF economics senior and the trip’s director, said Recurso is partnering with Building Dignity, a community development nonprofit organization in Villa El Salvador, Peru, for its trip from May 7 to 27.
Volunteers will serve at a hospital for underprivileged children, but Dagata said she’s most looking forward to the youth leadership and empowerment retreat.
“It’s a project we came up with; it’s our signature project,” Dagata said. “We’ve never done a camping trip with the kids, so I am looking forward to that long weekend.”
Registration closes March 14. So far, seven UF students have committed to the trip.
UF Recurso health disparity director George Ugartemendia, a 21-year-old UF biology and history senior, investigates health disparity issues in Gainesville, the U.S. and foreign countries. He said he is looking forward to applying his research in Peru.
“I think it’s a good opportunity to inspire others living in Gainesville,” Ugartemendia said. “My biggest goal is to change our way of thinking and inspire us to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle.”
[A version of this story ran on page 3 on 2/6/2014 under the headline "Students plan Peru trip"]
