Dana Scott/Winonan

Senior Lauren Praska, who is majoring in elementary education and minoring in middle-level math, has traveled to Jamaica twice for volunteer work.

Before her sophomore year at Winona State University, Praska said she was set on living in a suburb of the Twin Cities, in a community similar to where she grew up.

Now she hopes to teach low-income middle school students in an inner city, potentially outside of the Midwest.

Before she begins work as a teacher, Praska is looking into international work after graduation, either with the Peace Corps or a yearlong mission trip to 11 different countries. Praska also envisions working for a nonprofit organization sometime in her future.

“My heart is broken for those who live in extreme poverty,” Praska explained. “I have the ability to serve other people, and I want to take advantage when I have the opportunity.”

Praska’s first trip to Jamaica was in the spring of 2014 with the college of education. Praska spent 10 days with approximately 25 other Winona State students.

Five of those 10 days were spent volunteering at Sunbeam Boys’ Home, where 35 youth live. Praska explained a boys’ home is different than an orphanage, because most of the boys living there do have families, but they cannot support them.

While at the home, Praska and the other volunteers engaged students in activities that were not school-based, like building relationships, and then started to work on school-based activities.

“People have needs other than education and content,” Praska shared. “And those need to be addressed before we can get to educational content.”

Because the trip was with the college of education, Praska explained her main focus was to learn about an education system in another culture, but the trip ended up being more than that.

“The biggest thing I took away from the trip was how I was able to bond with people who have nothing in common with me,” Praska expressed. “They are middle school Jamaican boys, we couldn’t connect by resources or materials, so we had genuine communication.”

Praska said this trip changed the way she interacts with people. Because she could connect with those she has nothing in common with, she realized she can do the same with people she is close with.

“We all have something to offer each other, and that’s huge,” Praska said.

After returning from Jamaica, Praska and three other students contacted the home and planned their own trip for two weeks.

“When I got back from Jamaica, I knew the experience wasn’t something I was ready to let go of,” Praska explained. “It was still heavy on my heart.”

Because her second trip was longer, Praska explained they were able to immerse themselves into the culture. They were on the boy’s schedule and did whatever they did, like going to church and eating meals with them.

Praska said on this trip they tried to focus activities and conversations on education, because some of the boys can’t tell colors apart or count their fingers.

“We asked them questions they have never been asked,” Praska explained. “Having someone to listen to them is huge.”

Praska and one other student have another trip planned for next summer for a more extended period of time. Praska said this is because there is so much need at the Sunbeam Boys’ Home. They plan on working with them on social skills and how to interact with people.

Praska is raising money for groceries and school fees for the boys. There will be a fundraiser on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the gazebo from 1 to 4 p.m.

Praska gave advice for students who might be considering going on a trip like this.

“It is easy to stay in your comfort zone,” Praska said. “Stepping out of your comfort zone is going to teach you so much about yourself, and you could find the thing you should be doing with your life. You will never know if you don’t just try it.”

Praska said serving others in this way is something she is really passionate about. She said she believes that everyone has a different passion they should devote their time to.