Student-Engaged Learning through Hygiene Kit Service Project.

UIMF club members with the finished hygiene kits.

UIMF club members with the finished hygiene kits.

On Monday October 13, 2025, members of the Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs at Utah Valley University gathered together to assemble men and women hygiene kits to provide for a community in need. Through the student-engaged learning model, we as students have the capabilities to identify a real life issue and work as a team to find a solution under the mentorship of a faculty member. The aim of the UIMF club is to participate once a month in service projects that our local community of Orem-Lindon can benefit from. Hygiene kits have been the most requested forms of aid requested by less fortunate communities and the organizations that engage with these specific communities. With the resources provided by the Orem-Lindon Rotary club and under the instruction of Cherise Armstrong, the chair of service projects for the Orem-Lindon Rotary club, UIMF members were able to complete 20 men’s kits and 20 women’s hygiene kits, to be donated to the houseless community around the Orem area.

Club members gather to listen to instructions given by Cherise.

Club members gather to listen to instructions given by Cherise.

As the president of the Utah International Mountain Forum, I organized a lot of the logistics of this event. I planned when we would host this project, where, and the time. This responsibility also included submitting scheduling request forms with the UVU clubs office to reserve a room we could use to assemble these kits. I coordinated with Cherise what would be able to do, and we settle on these hygiene kits that included, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, a washcloth, alcohol wipes, a pair of socks, deodorant, feminine products for women’s kits, and razors. Once I received the scheduling approval from the clubs office, I had the responsibility of sending out communications to UIMF members, UVU Rotaract members, and other UVU students who would like to join us and get some service hours. Even with short notice we had a good group of students attend which included; Erryn Lammi, Natalia Figueroa, Abbie Fisher, Nicholas Robinson, Alexander Woltjen, Louyoko Nianza, Janet Ruiz, Roland Kabongo, Antoine Mwamba and myself. I also acted as the photographer for this event and created the photo album to share with my colleagues.

herise with UIMF members Abbie Fisher and Antoine Mwamba assembling kits.

Cherise Armstrong with UIMF members Abbie Fisher and Antoine Mwamba assembling kits.

I choose to have another service project focused on assembling these hygiene kits because not only are they very much needed in our local community, but to also lean into the empathy and compassion our society is in need of. As college students we often do not have the financial means to make big donations to these causes, but giving our time to assemble these kits is just as meaningful. As one of our goals in our club's mission is to highlight the issues that mountain communities face, we can see within our Utah county community that there is a gap in resources and their accessibility for those in need. By working with the Orem-Lindon rotary club to make these resources accessible, we are able to participate in an initiative that goes beyond ourselves but also is creating an immediate impact in our community.

Natalia Figueroa and Rowland Kabongo working on the hygiene kits.

Natalia Figueroa and Rowland Kabongo working on the hygiene kits.

As UIMF president it is very important to me that our club members and students immerse ourselves in initiatives that bring a positive influence to the local community that has supported us. To be actively engaged in something as simple as gathering together as a club to put kits together that will be used by someone who needs it most brings our community together one kit at a time. These opportunities have allowed UIMF club members and UVU students to stay grounded in humanity and push us to continue to inspire change through acts of service. I am always grateful for these service projects that help keep me humble and in touch with the challenges and issues not just in our own communities but throughout the world. For me, there is nothing more fulfilling than knowing I can contribute direct service to those around me.