DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake women's basketball junior forward Cara Lutes (Maplewood, Minn.) traveled to Uganda for three weeks this summer with a group of Drake students and faculty as part of the university's study abroad program. The curriculum is focused on service learning, while also learning about sustainable development.
Lutes, one of 10 student-athletes to receive the Missouri Valley Conference Leadership & Service Award this year, and her traveling party visited several cities and villages in the eastern African country, including the capital city of Kampala. The travel party included 10 Ugandan university students.
The group along with members of The Rotary Club of Kampala South held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Kikawanda Health Clinic. Drake is partnering with community members of Kikiwanda and rotary club members to build the much-needed necessity for the community to help with healthy sustainability.
Lutes, an elementary education major, taught in classrooms alongside the Ugandan students in six different schools during the trip. Along with visiting schools, the group toured a water bottling plant, a coffee production center and several local farms. Lutes also saw the Nile River and Lake Victoria, visited the Equator and went on a safari in beautiful Murchison Falls, where she saw lions, giraffes and elephants.
“My perspective was broadened from this trip,” said Lutes. “It was awesome being paired with the Ugandans in the classroom and then getting to know them outside of it. I made several dear friends. I was impressed with Ugandans and their hospitality. Even though many don't have much, they opened up their homes, their families and their lives for us to be part of. Getting to experience so many unique things on this trip was amazing and something that I will never forget.”
The trip has the Maplewood, Minn., native exploring student teaching abroad either back in Africa or in southeast Asia after she graduates.
The Bulldogs' women's basketball program and Drake faculty are planning to partner this upcoming season to help collect supplies for the schools in Uganda that the group visited. Check back to www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com for more details as they become available.
