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Sammy Linebaugh ReportingA village of 44 families along the Amazon River is about to get a visit from a team of Utah students bearing books and school supplies, medicine and clothes.
The students are going as part of a service group called Youthlinc, and for months they've been preparing for the big trip.
Thursday morning, bright and early 24 local high school and college students are headed to Peru. And they've worked hard for the chance to go, collecting all the gear and completing 80 hours of community service in exchange for what they hope will be an unforgettable summer vacation.
Teaching manuals, toothpaste and scores of medical supplies-- it's all going with this team of Utah students to a small Peruvian village of 44 families along the banks of the Amazon River, called Yanamono.
Garrett Rees, North Summit High School: "I'm most excited to build the school. As one of the boys, there's only three boys going, so we got elected to be the work horses."
Mandy Young/University of Utah Nursing Student: "We're going to teach them some first aid, some CPR."
Judy Zone, Youthlinc Founder: "They've asked for help with treatment of machete wounds, snake bites, and resuscitation from drowning. Those are their three major health concerns in Yanamono."
Judy Zone has organized the trip, her fifth since found Youthlinc, a local service group that recruits high school and college students to spend weeks in third world communities.
Each student will take two bags with them, one for personal items, the other, a giant duffel full of clothes, shoes, books and medical supplies.
Deeanna Peshell, Tooele High School: "We have to pack everything we'll need, scissors, tape, all our supplies, books.”
Each Youthlinc student is expected to travel ready to teach a subject of their choosing from first aid to writing and math -- and mostly in Spanish.
Garrett Rees: "I think smile's probably an international type of language."
Tawny Stratton, Lone Peak High School: "Just knowing the people, seeing the people, trying to communicate with them and communicate, make friends, just feel that something has been done."
As you might guess there is a waiting list of students who want to go. The students raise half the money themselves, about 800 dollars. The other half is paid for by local companies who provide a scholarship to the students once they complete their 80 hours of local community service.
