OCS Students to Build Classrooms for Nursing Program in Belize

Fourteen students from Orcas Christian School (OCS), accompanied by three parents and two teachers, are giving up their 2025 spring break to take part in a mission trip to Belize. Their goal: to build classrooms for nursing students at the Belize Adventist Junior College in Calcutta Village.

The trip, scheduled from March 20 to April 1, 2025, is being coordinated by the Center for Youth Evangelism at Andrews University. Staff from the center will join the OCS volunteers on-site to lead the construction project. This initiative aims to support the growing nursing program at the college, providing much-needed classroom space to accommodate more students pursuing healthcare education.

To fund their trip, the students, parents, and staff are engaged in a variety of fundraising efforts, including letter campaigns, bake sales, a benefit dinner, and community donation drives. The collective effort reflects the community spirit at the heart of OCS’s educational philosophy.

For the students, the mission trip offers a chance to engage in hands-on service while experiencing the culture and hospitality of Belize. Beyond construction work, the project is expected to leave a lasting impact on the Belizean community by enhancing access to education for future healthcare workers.