"ESSOnians" Working Locally and Globally

January 31, 2008

An "ESSOnian" draws with a "little sib" as part of ESSO's Big Sibs/Little Sibs club

The 19th annual Exeter Homeless Vigil took place on Wednesday, starting with a candlelight procession from the local New Outlook Teen Center to Exeter Town Hall. As part of the Vigil, the Exeter community came together to kick off a local Tents of Hope initiative, aimed at supporting the people of Darfur.

These two events are among the many that Exeter Social Service Organization (ESSO) takes a hand in planning each year. ESSO is a broad program of 60 Exeter clubs focused on local outreach and global initiatives. This year, 650 students – nearly two-thirds of the student body – signed up for ESSO involvement, thereby earning the moniker "ESSOnian."

"When it comes to Non Sibi, there are always students who are willing to help," says Ariella, an upper who worked on organizing the program for the Homeless Vigil, which includes performances by the Phillips Exeter Concert Choir; Exeteras and In Essence, both a cappella groups; and individual PEA musicians. "The Vigil serves as a regular reminder that we need to look out for others," she explains. "I would hope that through this Vigil, students will be able to gain a better understanding of the issues of homelessness, locally and globally."

Katherine, a lower, has taken a lead role in organizing the Tents of Hope initiative, working with local civic groups. "Katherine came to us wanting to advocate for the end of the genocide in Darfur," explains Katie, a senior and coordinator of new clubs and projects on the ESSO Board. "At around the same time, Mr. Sinnaduray at the Congregational Church in Exeter invited ESSO to get involved in the Tents of Hope project, so we paired Katherine with the project." Katherine immediately saw in Tents of Hope "a great opportunity, and a truly unique way to educate the community and give aid to the refugees in Darfur." The Tents of Hope project uses simulated refugee tents to symbolize the plight of the displaced population originating from Darfur. Later this spring, Tents of Hope plans to erect a tent on campus, which will be decorated by PEA and community groups. 

In addition to special events such as Wednesday's Vigil, ESSO clubs are dedicated to many ongoing local outreach activities. One of these – Big Sibs/Little Sibs – is a club that meets monthly on Sunday afternoon, targeting local adopted youngsters. Jenna, a lower, estimates that 60 local families are currently involved. "Last week, we Hula-Hooped, had our pictures taken, and decorated fabric squares that one of the mothers has volunteered to sew together to make a banner," she explained. "I chose to become involved in Big Sibs/Little Sibs because, as a Chinese adoptee myself, it is a program that I wish my family had known about when I was little. Growing up thirty minutes from the Exeter campus, for most of my education I was one of the only, if not the only, Asian kid in my school. I hope that my little sib never feels alone – in her cultural identity or in being adopted."

"ESSOnians" share an interest in helping others, and the belief that ongoing efforts of education and outreach make a difference. "Students at Exeter truly do care about people in need," says Katherine. "My goal for Tents of Hope is that every Exonian will be aware of the atrocities in Darfur. If all of us were truly educated about the genocide, I believe that we could make a tangible change."

Interested in learning more?

Read about the Homeless Vigil…

Read about ESSO's mission and clubs…