The BYU–Hawaii Service Center joined efforts with the Hearts for Animals Ranch, Give N’ Take, and James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge for Ho’omana Day, which students said was a fulfilling service experience.
Volunteers from various BYUH Student Associations gathered at the ranch and were divided into groups to paint a shed, create reusable bags, clean a shed, and build an obstacle course.
This project was a way for “students to make a personal connection with the community and with other students,” according to Seeley Dopp, a senior international cultural studies major from Idaho and Student Supervisor in the Service Center.
“Ho’omana Day is a semester thing and is usually in the middle of the semester. It is the biggest project of the semester and we are glad that the turnout today was really good,” added Dopp.
The Hearts for Animals Ranch project was initiated by Alpha Harper, who said when she met JoAnn Dueno, owner of the ranch, they connected because they both had a love for horses and helping other people.
Concerning the project, Harper said, “JoAnn had a lot planned for the ranch, and they always need something done so it’s been really good to come out with the students to share my passion with them [...] It is just a wonderful project for us to participate in.”
Dueno said this was the third time volunteers from BYUH came. “We let people do what is in their heart. Some people like to clean. Some people like to paint. Some people like to recycle. I love the fact that we can get help with some of our projects, but what really fills my heart the most is to see how they interact with the animals.”
She explained the ranch is a wellness center for animals and people. The ranch owners’ philosophy includes being a voice for animals, and also helping people to interact with animals in their natural environment.
Dueno added, “One of our volunteers came up to me and he asked me if I had any idea how healing my animals are. This was so funny to me, because that was the whole purpose of our organization and he felt that.”
Some students said they decided to participate in the project because they heard it included helping the environment and animals, which was an opportunity some had not experienced before.
Annabelle Phillips, a senior majoring in marine biology from Ohio, said, “BYU provides so many opportunities that are learning experiences for us, but is also service to others. It was like two in one. It was really fun and I got to meet several other really nice people.”
Phillips chose to clean the shed. “By cleaning the shed, they can focus more on other things because they are so busy trying to build their farm. So, it is a great feeling to be a big help by doing something small. I really like how they are so willing to let us help them. I’m actually thinking about coming back here next week.”
Another project that volunteers did was making reusable bags from unused material on the ranch. Sister Sandee Barlow, a senior missionary, found the project “pretty unique.”
Barlow enjoyed making usable bags for disadvantaged children in which to put their books and personal belongings. She added, “None of us had ever done anything in this way, so we were creative about how we used up all of the bag itself and made handles for it and the students were wonderful.”
Abby Terry, a freshman biochemistry major from Washington, had never attended a Ho’omana Day service project and really enjoyed herself. Pointing out that since she was a horse person, she found the project fun. Her job was to groom the horses, which was relaxing for her and the horses.
Mark Caubalejo, a junior political science major from the Philippines, said he had never been around horses and did not know how to deal with horses. However, by the end of the day, he had learned how to calm the horses.
Stating how significant this service project was, he shared, “I don’t call coming to the service project a sacrifice, because it’s thrilling and a perfect adventure and getaway from stress at school.”
Hearts for Animals Ranch is a non-profit ranch in Hauula run by JoAnn and Felix Dueno and has horses, donkeys and dogs trained to help people suffering from mental and physical illnesses. According to Dueno, they are looking for interns to help with marketing, fund-raising and grant writing.