Students string for strength

MU Modern World Literature students are raising funds for Haitian relief through a program called Students Stringing Strength.

Students Stringing Strength is a service learning project created by Dr. Corine Coniglio, assistant professor of English and director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The project consists of two sections of her Modern World Literature class volunteering their time, effort and talent to create and sell handmade bracelets. The proceeds will be used to buy tents for homeless persons in Haiti.

Thirty students spent their evening Monday, March 1 stringing bracelets made from gemstones and supplies donated by Coniglio. During the bead-a-thon, students created 144 bracelets in various sizes and designs from high quality gemstones, including jade, turquoise, jasper, hematite and rose quartz. Every bracelet features a small silver ribbon with the word “hope” on it.

Coniglio feels that a service project is an important way for students to learn outside the classroom. “I hope that students are able to make the connection between what we are learning about in class about other cultures and social activism, and how we can each contribute in small ways to add up to a big difference,” she said.

In class, students are reading literature by authors from all over the world, many from developing countries where people are facing social injustices.

Much of the literature in the course can be thought-provoking and moving. Coniglio feels she has been “emphasizing the connection between social change and literature they have read, but have been leaving students frustrated. This project is to take them from frustration to empowerment.”

Coniglio also said an important part of students’ development is their reflections on the challenges, rewards and personal changes. “It feels great to help people less fortunate than us in a time of need,” said senior Scott Huddle.

In choosing the jewelry-making project, Coniglio found a metaphor. “You string beads one at a time and that’s also how we learn – that’s how education works," she said.

Students will volunteer to sell the product and take donations. Other students have reached out to the community, which responded by donating raffle items for the effort. Students are also working on individual and small group projects to help raise funds.

Students Stringing Strength will directly fund the purchase of tents that will be hand delivered to Haiti. Coniglio said that of all the many things people are currently living without in Haiti, they chose to donate tents based on need and a direct and immediate impact.

Bracelets will cost between $10 and $15, and raffle tickets for prizes including a candle gift basket and a handmade jewelry piece donated by Coniglio will also be for sale. Donations of any size are also welcome and appreciated. One hundred percent of the purchase price and all proceeds from the raffles and donations will go directly to the cause.

Students Stringing Strength is not the first cross-cultural service project Coniglio has become involved in with one of her classes. She also had her Women’s Literature class work with BEADS For Education. Students in this program also made and sold beaded bracelets, and all of the proceeds went to girls in Kenya. Coniglio said that the BEADS project raised a few thousand dollars for education and alternative coming of age ceremonies.

MU has been very aware of the need for Haiti relief, with Campus Ministry in charge of fundraising projects that benefit healthcare and tent supply. Coniglio’s classes are also contributing to the Haiti relief, but also bridging a gap between their efforts and their education.

The bracelets will be for sale in the Banks Student Center and Insalaco Hall when campus returns from spring break, March 15 – 19 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All proceeds from bracelet purchases and donations will directly purchase temporary homes to shelter Haitians while they exhibit their strength and rebuild their country.

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