Marigela Orvañanos rscj

For the first time, the Sacred Heart International Service Project, jointly coordinated by the Provinces of Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S., will bring together approximately twelve to fifteen college-age women and men in San Luis Potosi, Mexico from June 18 to July 9.

Through this project we hope to:

•  bring together young people from different countries to engage in service activities that will lead them to reflect on the reality of the poor in our world, as well as the particular focus they want to give to their emerging professional lives
• provide an experience of lived interculturality focused on service and commitment to those most in need
• create spaces for discussing the problems that specifically affect the youth of today -locally, nationally and internationally - and to explore what solutions they might offer
• facilitate a total immersion experience by having participants live with families in the very neighborhoods where they will be serving
• bring their own gifts, life experiences and special interests to those with whom they will be working

The project centers on three key components: service, reflection and input. Participants will be able to choose from work with children, teens and/or women. The topics planned so far for reflection and input include:

• The methodology of Popular Education.
• Identity and interculturality

• Immigration and migration: the challeng of the 21 st century

• An analysis of the reality of each country in relation to Latin America and the international community

• Service and commitment to humanity
• Theological reflection on our current reality

To date talks on one or more of these topics will be given by Graciela BuenfIl, Socorro Martinez, Clara Malo and Marigela Orvañanos, all of the Mexican province. So far, five to seven people have shown serious interest from the U.S., including some whose families immigrated here from Mexico, Colombia and Puerto Rico.

It is also our hope that this pilot project may become an annual event, perhaps taking place in a different location each time. For now, although only in its first year, the project has already gained considerable energy and momentum, both for those of us who are planning the project and for those who will be participating.

If you are interested in the project, and have conversational Spanish and a strong desire to be part of an international service experience with other young people, write to Imma De Stefanis at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it An application packet with detailed information regarding program features, expenses, etc. is now available.