Student volunteers on the move

Students were away from as early as 8.30am to head to Quarantine Island or Sinclair/Wetlands.
Students were away from as early as 8.30am to head to Quarantine Island or Sinclair/Wetlands.

Students were doing more than the usual orientation traditions this O-Week.

Many were out and about volunteering through their colleges for of a host of community groups and projects in the Dunedin and Otago region.

Several University of Otago residential colleges were involved, including Aquinas, Cumberland, City College, Arana, Studholme, Knox and Toroa.

On Wednesday more than 200 of Arana college’s 400 students got out and about in the community for up to 22 different projects.

Students were away fromas early as 8.30am to head to Quarantine Island or Sinclair/Wetlands.

Arana College sub warden Renee Black said it was the third year of the project for the college.

"The volunteer scheme helps create positive relationships between the residents and local community groups. It also allows students to give back to the city of Dunedin and is a great way for them to meet people," Ms Black said.

Ms Black was in charge of getting students on their way to the projects through the different modes of transport.

Arana College senior tutor Kirsten Eichstaedt helped set up the scheme for the college three years ago.

"It is something we have developed to see how the college canget involved in the city of Dunedin and region of Otago," Mrs Eichstaedt said.

The largest group was for the project Stop (Save The Otago Peninsula) where 55 people would be split between Smiths Creek and Company Bay.

Mrs Eichstaedt said many of the projects involved conservation inthe area.

However, there were groups also going to community groups such as Pregnancy Help, where they would sort through clothes for babies.

"Man-hours will come in at over 1000 hours once they are all added up,’’ she said.

Volunteering was not a one off during O-Week for the college, as the students continued to do smaller projects throughout the year.
 

SIMON.KNYVETT@alliedpress.co.nz

 

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