BuildOn is a Global Service Learning Program that focuses on helping people get educated all over the world. BuildOn is not a charity, it is a movement. The organization is not only about helping people across the globe, it is about helping positively impact the world everywhere you go.

The group’s founder Jim Ziolkowski came to Siena Heights University last year which encouraged the students to start a Siena Heights chapter of BuildOn. The Siena Height’s chapter of BuildOn is led by President Madison Phillips and the faculty advisor is Ian Bell.

At the first meeting, Ian Bell captured the mission of BuildOn in a simple sentence, “The point of BuildOn is about establishing an attitude and mindset of service to people both locally and abroad.”

Ziolkowski started BuildOn when he stumbled upon a party in Nepal. A small village in Nepal was celebrating the new school they had just built. The excitement of the villagers inspired Jim to help underdeveloped countries around the world put up new schools, to become educated and empowered.

The goal of the students is to raise enough money to send three Siena Heights students to help build a school in Nicaragua. The group has to reach a goal of $30,000 and they plan to do that by receiving donations and selling coffee.

The coffee the organization is selling is Fair Trade Coffee. https://www.shuspectra.com/2404/news/buildon-siena-heights-chapter/ https://www.shuspectra.com/2404/news/buildon-siena-heights-chapter/ https://www.shuspectra.com/2404/news/buildon-siena-heights-chapter/The coffee will be sold at the Siena Heights homecoming football game, as well as throughout the year. This organic coffee comes at $15 a bag, however the Fair Trade Coffee industry is known for treating its workers fairly.

The workers are paid fairly so the coffee is not only helping the buildOn group reach its goal for helping build a school, but it is also giving good business in the coffee industry.

For anyone interested in helping buildOn reach its goal there is a donation page on the buildOn website for the Siena Height’s University chapter.

For anyone captivated by the goal of buildOn and helping positively shape the community around them, stop by the buildOn table at the homecoming football game or contact Madison Phillips.