The Puebla, Mexico trip is “Service” Immersion based. Trip Destination:  Puebla, Mexico, in central Mexico, including Cholula, a small local community where participants stay with families. Trip Dates:  Approximately 7, 8 or 9 days toward the end of winter break 2011-12. Coordinating Organizations:  Boston College Campus Ministry, in collaboration with Community Links International www.commlinks.org.

Community Links International Mission:  “Community Links is a service-learning, volunteer, and international educational organization.  Through cross-border, cross-cultural immersion experiences we provide people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to learn about the interconnectedness of our local, national, and global realities.  We also teach participants to recognize how our lifestyles, values, choices and consumption patterns affect people, cultures and the environment the world over . . .

One of our main goals is to connect the local with the global.  By local we mean that reality which deals with immediate personal relationships, truly representative and inclusive political participation and community value systems.  We strive to create economic, political and social systems that nurture local communities and individuals.  Specifically, our programs are aimed at strengthening local developmental processes, micro-entrepreneurial efforts and ecological recovery.  We continuously explore our worlds and analyze our assumptions through experimental learning, and we constantly re-evaluate our efforts and results so as to adjust strategically for the future. In this way, we create a solid base from which to deal with the larger global issues.”

Puebla, Mexico Trip Itinerary:  The B.C. delegation travels to Puebla, and the surrounding area, in central Mexico, where they collaborate with in-country partner organization, Community Links International, in creating their immersion experience.  While in Puebla and the surrounding area, participants spend time each day working with the people of the local community.  Much of the service work is agricultural in nature.  There are also opportunities in the afternoons to work with local children in an after-school program.  Participants hear from various individuals involved in community-based programs and initiatives to learn about the issues facing the local community and engage in discussions on the social, economic, political, and religious dynamics that continue to affect Mexico, and specifically the Puebla region and its people.  Participants also have the opportunity to visit la Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla, the local Jesuit University, to explore how the Jesuit mission is being actualized locally.
Additionally, participants also spend a few days with wonderful families in Cholula, a nearby community in that continues to struggle while living in poverty.  Cholula will once again host B.C.’s delegation and share with participants their life experience. 

Exploring Faith:  Prayer, reflection, journaling, and sharing with each other are core aspects of this experience before, during, and after the trip.  While Arrupe programs are open to people of any faith tradition, they are influenced by the Catholic tradition, and Catholic liturgies are a part of the experience.  Each participant is expected to participate in this aspect of the experience, share about her/his faith, in all of its joys and struggles and questions, and to explore how faith, and the gifts they have been given, connect to living in solidarity with all people, especially those who experience marginalization.

Living Simply:  During a trip, participants are expected to embrace “living simply.” Part of what this means is eating food that may not be familiar or plentiful, sleeping in beds or other places that are less comfortable than what might be accustomed to, getting dirty, bathing rarely, experiencing limited personal space, and possibly getting sick.  Participants also may find themselves in situations that could instigate allergies, or not be able to accommodate dietary preferences, etc.

Time Commitment:  Participation in an Arrupe program involves a year-long commitment which includes preparation for and follow up after a trip.  This commitment involves participating in weekly community meetings, a pre-trip and post-trip retreat, several presentations, a few Catholic liturgies, a number of fundraising events and activities, and pre-trip and post-trip social justice awareness-building and community service projects.  Expect this commitment to be about 5 hours a week, with retreats and the point drive week adding hours. (Please note the “important dates” associated with the program.)

Language Proficiency:  Although being able to speak Spanish is useful while on the trip, participants do not need to be able to speak any language other than English to participate.
Safety and Health: Before applying for an Arrupe program, each participant and his/her family need to be aware that there are many safety and health risks associated with traveling to the destinations visited through this program. Please check the U.S. Department of State’s assessment of traveling to these destinations http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html, the Center for Disease Control’s assessment of traveling to these destinations http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx, and consider your own physical and emotional/psychological/mental health before applying.  Should you participate in a program, you will need to continue to check these websites for updates, as these assessments may change before a trip departs.

Community Links International Safety Statement:  “Community Links International, founded in 2000, and based on our work throughout Latin America since 1985, takes profoundly seriously our responsibility for the safety and security of students, participants, local staff, colleagues, interns, volunteers and our partner children/youth/families.  Without the security and safety of all our stakeholders we have no program.

As a result, we have not had any security issues to date.  We will never hesitate to cancel or reroute programs if needed, to secure the safety of all concerned; as we did in 2006 when called for at one of our sites.  We monitor current events and local realities on a daily basis.  Our local knowledge and grasp of trends and relationships is based on the presence of our committed, passionate and professional staff, in situ.

Additionally, when volunteer groups, delegations and exchange programs are with us in-country, they are lead, guided and accompanied by our staff and team members 24/7.  We orient our participants on appropriate behavior and to respect the local culture and social milieu, while striving to be as discreet as possible.  We never knowingly expose ourselves to risk and are able to adapt on an immediate basis if called for."