Ohio University students involved with United Campus Ministries will spend their spring break helping victims affected by last fall's Hurricane Georges in Biloxi, Miss.

About 12 students will help people rebuild. They plan to clear debris, hang drywall and paint the insides and outsides of homes, said the Rev. Jan Griesinger, who is involved in the project.

Junior Autumn Smigill said she is participating in the recovery because she feels it will be a cleansing and learning experience.

"I was scared to go at first," she said. "But one of my friends says you have to go outside of your comfort zone to learn about yourself."

People in Honduras and Nicaragua also faced problems after Hurricane Mitch tore through Central America last fall.

A Southeast Ohio volunteer group, Big Huge Hurricane Relief, is collecting donations of food and necessities for the victims.

Holly Dallman, project organizer, said the storm caused billions of dollars in damage.

"(Victims) will need help for at least another year and a half," she said. "That is a conservative estimate too. Some even say they'll need help for the next five years."

Connie Burk, a project volunteer, said the storm was the most devastating of this century.

"Honduras is mountainous, so not only did the people there have to deal with floods and high water but also landslides," some of which demolished whole towns, she said.

Burk said the flooding was so devastating that some buildings had water as high as their third floors. The county's infrastructure greatly was affected and many bridges were destroyed.

According to a news release from Big Huge Hurricane Relief, large areas previously used for farming are permanently under water, and people are facing starvation.

The group is collecting donations of items, including non-perishable foods, clothing, toiletries, medical supplies, farming items and school supplies.

Local drop spots in Athens are WJKW Radio in the ACENET, Columbus Road; United Campus Ministries, 18 N. College St.; and River Valley Community School, 8075 St. Rte. 56.