In many impoverished countries, such as Ecuador, there exists no social system to access resources for poor families. In many cases, parents often give their children away to have a chance for a better life. Rymer, the 1998 Templeton Fellow, has accomplished many similar service learning tasks since she arrived in 1996. Coming from Lake Butler, she chose UNF because of the Honors Program and the level of responsibility students take in the classroom and community. Immersed in the Honors Program immediately after her arrival, Rymer learned her first lesson.
Orientation is participation, reflection and understanding.
Shortly thereafter, an American Poverty course placed Rymer in the midst of homeless men and women at the I. M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless. Twice a week, she spent numerous hours at the center befriending men who seldom have personal relationships because of their destitution. About two people, two parties, benefiting. When Rymer began the Honors Program students chose their service learning project from local community service organizations. Rymer chose Lutheran Social Services and was immediately exposed to Bosnian refugees.