By Casie Anderson, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - “From a Christian perspective, this kind of work can make an influence on people's lives. We told the story of the Roma gypsies,” said Kara Presnell, assistant professor of communications/public relations at Campbellsville University.
Nine members of Campbellsville University, both faculty and students of the mass communication department, attended a media trip to Prague, Macedonia, Poland and Brno during spring break, March 9-16.
Through the use of video technology, the media team covered the lives of the Roma gypsies. The theme was “7 Days of Prayer for the Roma of Central and Eastern Europe.” The stories are to be posted on www.hope4cee.org.
“Our team got great video of the Roma people. We met them in their homes and set up our equipment; then they sat down and told their stories,” said Micah Drushal of Brandenburg, Ky., a senior at CU.
The Roma have always been persecuted, Presnell said. In Macedonia, Roma children can go to school only if they can pay for books. In the Czech Republic, all Roma children are sent to special education type schools. There is an 85 percent unemployment rate among the Roma people, according to Presnell.
Funds for the trip were provided through a university grant, student fundraising and Amazon.com.
“It was a lot of work, but it was a really good experience,” said Presnell.
Other team members included; Jason Garrett of Campbellsville, instructor of communication; Crystal Janes, a senior of Campbellsville; Landon Dickens, a sophomore of Campbellsville; Bobby Essler, a junior of Bowling Green, Ky.; Bryan Spitler, a senior of Burlington, Ky.; Chris Logan, a senior of Harrodsburg, Ky.; and Laura Logan, a senior of Harrodsburg, Ky.
Campbellsville University, now celebrating her Centennial year, is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,310 students who represent 100 Kentucky counties, 32 states and 28 foreign nations. Listed in U.S. News & World Report's “America's Best Colleges” 14 consecutive years as one of the leading Southern master's colleges and universities, Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his eighth year as president.