Samira Dani
4th year Biology major How did I get involved with IMPACT? After hearing my friends rave about how incredible their IMPACT trips were during my freshman year, I knew I needed to go on a trip. I went on my first trip during spring break of my sophomore year, and it is by far one of the best things I did during my time at UGA. I fell in love with IMPACT, and after my second trip during the spring break of my junior year, I knew I wanted to be a site leader. I love the idea that IMPACT can make a group of strangers a family in only a few days through helping a community. This is my first time leading a trip, and I could not be more excited to become a family with my participants, learn and grow together, and serve others. Why Disability/Ability Access and Awareness? I really wanted to learn more about the disability/ability community and the issues it faces regarding resource accessibility and awareness. The community is often stigmatized and issues overlooked, and I think it’s important that we all recognize those issues and do what we can to reduce some of the disparities they face. Fun fact In 8th grade I sang the National Anthem at the Braves game! |
Hannah Echols
706.993.6707 hee36789@uga.edu How I Got involved with IMPACT: I got involved with IMPACT my freshman year at UGA. I heard about it through the grapevine and thought it would be a great way to meet new people and get a cheap trip to the beach! Little did i know that my experience in Fort Myers, Florida, would begin to cultivate an understanding of identity, passion for service learning, and heart for leadership in me. The next year I went to Asheboro, North Carolina and focused on affordable housing. I learned so much about the power of sustainable community relationships and love through that trip, and it spurred the desire within me to become a site leader. Last year I led the trip on Immigration Awareness and Farmworker Justice to Immokalee, Florida, with my co Allison and it was INCREDIBLE. I have stayed with impact all four years because it truly brings together people despite any differences they may have for a common good. Why I am interested in my trip focus: I wanted to pursue Disability/ability awareness as my focus this year because I realized it was a total blind spot in my exposure to different identities even though many people in my life deal with intersections of this focus on a daily basis. Whether it be mental health or knee trouble, i am frustrated that different pressures cause people i love to feel burdened and ‘less than’ because of their state of being rather than empowered and motivated for who they are. And i know it goes much deeper than that. i want to know how people to learn from people and empower them to embrace the fullness of who they are and walk into their purpose . I also want to open up dialogues that i often shy away from out of fear of being politically correct. I want to learn more in order to get real surrounding discussions of disability/ability. Fun Fact about me: I can lick my elbow! Also, I enjoy freestyle rapping when I feel comfortable around you. But it is kind of just like glorified rhyming. |