SEEING ANEW IN SERABU

Clint Murchison '08 in Serabu

Clint Murchison '09 traveled to Serabu in February of his freshman year and stayed for a couple of weeks.

"Tom [Lewis] had spoke at Cistercian during BraveArt when we were juniors," Clint remembered. "It stood out in my mind and I was excited to see what it was like."

Murchison traveled alone to Serabu, without the comforting support and help of Lewis and Schanzer.

"It is a completely different world," he said. "Eye-opening."

"The poverty level is the saddest thing.

"Over there," Murchison said, "they kind of think of America as some amazing place."

He is not so sure.

"They are a happier people in many ways," he said, "but they don't realize it. They think of the developed world as a utopia. They put it on a pedestal."

On the other hand, the poverty in Serabu and Africa tore at Murchison.

"It hit me that it destroys pride and dignity. Poverty can be destructive.

"Part of me wishes that our civilization didn't develop to such a degree. I think about days when life was simpler.

"But in Serabu, you can tell that extraordinary poverty does take its toll. Despite it all, they are extremely kind and grateful people."

In the summer of 2009, Murchison brought sister Elise and parents Burk and Elise to Serabu , joining Lewis and Schanzer on their bi-annual mission.