For most college students, spring break is always a picture of a perfect vacation at the beach, partying with friends, or traveling somewhere. But this is not the case for some of the students at the University of Missouri, because they have made good use of their time off in order to serve others and bring back to their community.
According to the WHNT 19 News, the students from the university have gone to the Happy Trails Therapeutic Riding Center to work with people with disabilities. Director Kathi Paul said that make use of their gentle horses to help these people speak better and take and follow directions. They also help them overcome their fears.
Paul aimed to also show this group of students their way of life as they were given the chance to rake the front pasture to be made as a compost, and a few other tasks. The students have shared how they wanted to spend their spring breaks serving others, and make friends to strangers.
This is not the only group of students who have gone an extra mile to give back to the community because another group of 8 students travelled to the Chicago area to also work with adults with disabilities, according to Chicago Tribune. They went to Aspire, a non-profit organization in Hillside. These students were given the opportunity to learn horticulture and technology and have gained job training and gardening skills.
A sophomore student, Nick Keesey said that while this is his first time to experience alternative spring break, he looks at it as an opportunity to learn and understand that people with disabilities face. He also said that he believes it is important to learn about these people in the community and serve them in any way they can.
