An annual spring break trip for the fraternity, Kappa Sigmapartners with Reclaimed Project, a community developmentfaith-based organization out of Fondren, for a week of manuallabor in Lesotho, a small African country known as “The Kingdomin the Sky” due to the mountainous region where it rests. This yearsix Kappa Sigmas with local roots flew 8,000 miles to spend theirbreak serving the people of Lesotho by building a retaining walland irrigation system for a new ministry site, which will serve as askills training center for high school students who are a part ofReclaimed’s orphan care ministry.Kennedy Guest, John William Ables, and John David West,all graduates of Brandon High School, Alex Gibbs, a graduate ofJackson Prep, Troy Stokes, a graduate of East Rankin Academy,and Brandon Bergold, a graduate of Northwest Rankin, dedicatedtheir spring break to work alongside their fraternity’s philanthropicpartner. Two other Rankin County natives accompanied the KappaSigmas on this trip: Marianna Myrick, who serves as ReclaimedProject’s director of communications, and Ti Garner, who sits asthe board’s president. When asked about the relationship betweenReclaimed Project and Kappa Sigma, Kennedy Guest said,“Looking at different fraternities and what they supported, there area lot of great causes out there. But I don’t think there is anythingmore noble than putting a roof over someone’s head. As far aslasting impact goes, being able to come here with Reclaimed andseeing the work that Kappa Sigs have done four and five years prior,seeing the playground and church that Kappa Sig built, seeingthose being used, is a huge deal. It makes me proud to be withReclaimed and proud to be a Kappa Sig.”The pride of Kappa Sigma is evident in the water well thatbears the Greek letters of Kappa Sigma. However, what shines evenbrighter is their work ethic, which is present in the willingness ofthe young men to continue working, even through the dark of nightand rain of day. Ti Garner harps upon the work of the KappaSigmas saying, “I really think that they, as much as us, benefit...what they learn out of serving is really gonna impact and changetheir lives. I’m really encouraged to see these guys, Kappa Sigs,continue to do it, year after year.”In-between hauling rocks and shoveling dirt, there weremoments of stomach churning laughter shared with the KappaSigmas and Basotho workers. One of the most impactful thingsJohn William Ables took away from the trip was working with theBasotho people, the proper name for the kingdom’s locals.Reflecting on his time with the Basotho people, Ables says,“Working alongside the Basotho people and forming genuinerelationships with them was a priceless experience. It showed mejust how important and appreciated Reclaimed Project’s work is.”Nevertheless, the work of Reclaimed Project and Kappa Sigmais not done. Throughout the school year, Kappa Sigma hosts anumber of fundraising events to support Reclaimed. In February,the fraternity hosted Charity Classic, an annual football andcheerleading competition between members of the Greek community,which raised $207,000 for Reclaimed Project. Withoutthe support of Kappa Sigma and the willing hands and feet of theyoung men who serve, life would look different for the people ofLesotho. The African wind wouldn’t be the same. l32 • JULY 2020
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