This spring, as a part of Mini Session, our students have the opportunity to participate in the Kino Border Initiative mission trip to Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. This program promotes “humane, just, and workable migration with dignity.”
On this trip, students will spend time with children and families at the aid center for migrants and learn about border realities in depth by crossing the border. Upper School religion teacher Mrs. Santamaria has been teaching about immigration from Catholic Social Teaching and humanitarian perspectives, and she is especially excited to immerse herself in this dynamic, spiritual, and educational journey.
“Immersive service is what I understand Mini Session to be,” she said. This trip perfectly encompasses all of our Sacred Heart goals as it pushes students to love their neighbor, learn beyond the classroom setting, and engage in compassionate service.”
Mrs. Santamaria urges girls who are interested in participating in this immersion trip to view it from a non-political, faith perspective, “to understand that the Church is always with the human being.”
Living in Miami, surrounded by a vibrant blend of immigrant cultures, it is vital to acknowledge the harsh realities faced by migrants and listen to their stories of resilience. At the end of the day, the goal is for students to gain perspective and widen their worldview by beginning to think critically about what is happening in other countries, how to address the root causes of migration, and to understand the intention of those trying to escape difficult situations.
This trip will serve as a pilot program as it is the first time Carrollton will be traveling to the Kino Border. Carrollton hopes to bring young women who are passionate about helping others and who will build this project into something that can continue in future Mini Sessions. This trip captures Carrollton’s mission through commitment to service and valuing the dignity of the human person.
In recent years, Belen Jesuit has brought groups of students on this trip to experience this immersive opportunity firsthand. Belen students who have participated recommend it as a way to understand the complexities of the immigration process by interacting with individuals who are directly impacted by immigration.
Juan Diego Leanez, a Belen student who went on the trip last year, noted that the most impactful part of the experience was recognizing “how humble these people were.”
He noticed a change in his perspective. “I had never interacted with individuals who had gone through so much, and it made me realize how fortunate I was.” Leanez shared how he views immigration now: “When I hear people talking about migration, I’m now much more informed, and I can give an educated, firsthand perspective. I often think back to all those people I met. I really want there to be a change in our system that takes into account the dignity of the human person.”
If you are interested in participating, please join us. It’s not too late. Meet with Mrs. Santamaria and Ms. Dugarte (the trip’s chaperones) in Room 207 during lunch on Monday, November 3, for the Lunch and Learn to get more information.
