Trip Leaders: Mrs. Kelly Barnes & Mr. David Bischoff

CHIAPAS, MEXICO

Chiapas, Mexico is a land of natural beauty, abundance, and cultural contrast, home to a large indigenous Mayan population as well as a Spanish-speaking majority. Chiapas’ rural villages lack basic infrastructure such as schools, health care, potable water, and sanitation. Faced with religious and political conflict as well as deprivation of basic needs, many choose to migrate to the cities. However, even in cities many indigenous people remain cut off from the dominant economic, social, and political infrastructure because they lack formal education and the crucial ability to speak, read, or write Spanish.

Dates: Wed., June 1-Sat., June 11, 2016 (Conflicts: Sat. June 4, SAT & Subject Tests @ JHS, Sat. June 11, ACT Exam @ JHS)

Trip Cost (covers transportation, room and board…etc.): $1,800*

Additional Minimum Donation Amount to be raised by March 1, 2016: $300** (Students raise money to donate towards the non-profit organizations that Jesuit High School worked with on their trip. This amount is in addition to the trip cost).

Trip Description: In Mexico, the wealthiest 10% of the population holds 41% of the wealth, while the poorest 10% holds 2% of the wealth (2008). We will partner with Natik, an international non-profit organization who works with partners in the highland colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas, the rural mountainous region around the Maya Tzotzil community of Zinacantan, and in the tropical lowland area of Palenque. Natik promotes economic empowerment and ecological awareness by way of the two dominant realities of indigenous life: artisan entrepreneurial efforts and agricultural production. We will also partner with Rise-Now, a global non-profit committed to bringing people together to learn about sustainability and planting the seeds for others to do the same. Websites: www.natik.org, www.rise-now.org .

Our time in Chiapas will include both cultural immersion and volunteering in a non-profit center which trains and supports Indigenous Mayan people living with disabilities as they learn artisan skills and produce beautiful products to help support their families. A typical workday would be from approximately 9:00-4:00 with a cultural or educational presentation/experience in the afternoon or evening. At the end of our week we expect to visit the Mayan ruins at Tonina (above right photo). Mr. David Bischoff, one of our two faculty leaders, is a leading expert in Latino/Chicano, Mexican and Pre-Columbian art. He will provide a wealth of cultural knowledge and insight. Evening reflection time will be led by Mrs. Kelly Barnes, Director of Christian Service. Both faculty members have experience leading this international immersion. It is not necessary that students have mastered the Spanish language to have a meaningful experience on this immersion. *Limited Financial Aid is available to students currently on Jesuit work study and in good standing with the school. Indicate need for consideration on your application. **Donations are raised to support the non-profit organization. However in the event that travel costs rise, a small portion of the donation may be used to cover those unforeseen expenses.***To be eligible for an Immersion, students must earn a passing grade in Christian Service junior year.