Kassie Hyde has gone on Mizzou’s Won by One mission trip to Jamaica for the past three years. She was one of the leaders of the one-week trip this winter break. Kassie tells Her Campus Mizzou what it was like to help build homes and make a difference in people’s lives.
Her Campus Mizzou: How did this program begin?
Kassie Hyde: This program was started a few years ago by a man who went to Jamaica with his sons after Hurricane Gilbert. He stumbled upon a village called Harmons with about 2,000 people in it, most of whom were unemployed. He returned to the same village each year, and every time more and more people went with him from his church. He built a place for the visitors to stay called the Harmony House. There are two giant rooms, one for the boys and one for the girls. Each room has several bunk beds for us to sleep in. About 10 years ago, two students decided to get a group of college students to go along on the trip, and now it has become popular at several universities.
HCM: With the popularity of this program growing here at Mizzou, how does the application process work?
KH: This year we had a huge amount of applicants and reached the maximum number of students we could take to Jamaica, which is fifty. Students fill out applications, and we start interviews in the spring semester before the trip over winter break. Because I was the leader this year in addition to a male student, we had to conduct the interviews. There were multiple rounds. It was hard for me to decide because our organization is different. There is no set criterion a student must have, like a certain GPA. We have five or six meetings throughout the fall semester before we leave over winter break. Students are responsible for raising their funds to pay for the trip. People often are able to do this by writing support letters to sponsors explaining what they’re going to be doing in Jamaica. The cost of the trip includes airfare and food while onsite. This can be a bit of a struggle for some students, so we help each other and pool our money together in the end in case anyone comes up a bit short.
HCM: How did you first hear about this trip and decide to get involved?
KH: I first heard about this trip from someone in my sorority when I was a freshman. I heard it was Christian-based, and this greatly interested me because I’m from a small town where everyone always goes to church. Faith is important to me, and when I first came to Mizzou, I was looking to find that support system away from home.
HCM: Can you describe the volunteer work and activities the group does once they’re in Jamaica?
KH: Our primary goal is to build houses. This is a continual building process. Other groups build on top of what previous groups have done. This is why we leave foundations before we leave for the next group to start working on. On this trip, we built three houses and lay three foundations for the next group that visits. The houses we make are usually 11 feet by 16 feet, which is roughly the size of a dorm room. Usually, a whole family will live there. Won by One has a waiting list that is need-based and that determines who will live in each house. My favorite part about building the houses is that we get to meet the families and even work together with them to build the houses. In addition to building houses, we get to volunteer at the elementary schools nearby. We also volunteer at an infirmary, which is like a nursing home. The infirmary is in terrible condition. Many families drop off their elders because they don’t have enough money to take care of them anymore. There isn’t very much food, and they never really get visitors other than our groups. Another project that was recently started two years ago is building a greenhouse to help grow vegetables for people to sell.
HCM: What is one of your most vivid memories from the trip?
KH: Most houses are built out of a rock called marl. The rock has to be put outside of the house, so it is easier to build. Because there are a lot of hills, the way we get the marl up to the houses is by working as a team to pass it along in an assembly line. We have a great time and make it a fun activity. It’s also really wonderful to see how appreciative families are because we can get the rocks up faster with a team of 50.
HCM: What is your favorite part about going on these trips? What makes you go back year after year?
KH: My favorite experience is building relationships. The people I have met have really affected me. I have developed a very close relationship with one of the workers in Jamaica, and he has remembered me every year. He even gave me a pet name – Sassy! It’s a wonderful feeling to get off a bus and have someone remember you, remember how you’ve helped them and to see their appreciation. You go into these trips assuming you won’t have anything in common with the people you’re about to meet, but you soon realize you do have things in common and are able to establish a unique connection. I have also developed bonds with my fellow Mizzou students who went on the trip with me. We now share such a powerful experience together, and it’s nice to know people can understand how I feel and see what I’ve seen. We’ve all gotten so much closer, and I have made some friendships I’m sure will last a very long time.
HCM: How has this experience shaped your life?
KH: Anytime you go into a different culture, you gain a sense of perspective. I came back and realized things that bother us at school are often made into a bigger deal than they actually are. I sponsor a young girl in third grade at one of the elementary schools. When I got to meet her, it was remarkable. In the end, I believe a lot of people get too caught up in the little details and can sometimes forget how blessed they really are. As corny as it sounds, going on these trips has taught me to appreciate what I have and to think about what really matters.
HCM: What do you think you’ll do next?
KH: I’m actually going to medical school at Mizzou next year! I want to do medical missions in the future and help those less fortunate than myself. Won by One has medical teams that go on trips, and that is something I’d definitely be very interested in doing.
If you’re interested in joining the organization or want to learn more, check out wonbyonetojamaica.com.