Waterloo — It has all the elements of a successful reading week trip: an exotic location, sunshine, warm temperatures, and a great gang of people.

But this group of travelers won’t be lounging on the beach, and they’ll be coming back to Laurier with much more than a good tan.

For nine days, a crew of 19 Laurier students and six staff members will spend their time helping to rebuild a school for disabled children in Oaxaca, Mexico.

It’s part of the “alternative reading week” taking place February 15 -23, and organized by the Office for Student Diversity, the Student Leadership Centre and Community Service-Learning.

“We are so excited about the trip,” says Adam Lawrence, diversity co-ordinator and one of the trip’s organizers. “This is something we’ve wanted to organize for some time, but it took the right partnerships on campus, and support from WLUSU and the Dean of Students to make it happen.”

Participating students will work and learn alongside their peers while making a difference in the Oaxaca community.

“The learning component of this trip is very important to us,” says Leanne Holland-Brown, manager of the Student Leadership Centre. “Our pre-trip team-building meetings have focused on diversity, leadership, and global citizenship objectives, and we intend to share our experiences with the Laurier community when we return.”

Organizers hope to make the event a Laurier tradition.

Student participants have been fundraising to help offset trip costs and to raise money for the Oaxaca community. On Friday, January 25, the Laurier community is invited to the group’s major fundraising event, “Mexican Night at Wilf’s.” The event features the band Professional Misconduct with Laurier professor Mark Baetz. There’s a $3 cover charge, and all proceeds will go to support the trip.

Organizers are also looking for donations of toiletries, games and school supplies to bring to children and teachers at the school.

Those interested in making a donation can contact Adam Lawrence, Diversity Co-ordinator, Office for Student Diversity: alawrence@wlu.ca or ext. 3208