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In this post we will look at two of the Service Learning Programs here at St. Jerome’s: “SJU in Peru” and “Beyond Borders.” In addition to a bit about those programs, we also have a current student involved with both programs giving us the inside scoop from their experience!
SJU In Peru
“SJU in Peru is an international service learning program where students are able to broaden their horizons and understand global, environmental, socio-economic, political and cultural issues through experiences of solidarity and community. During the two week immersive experience, students learn from and work side-by-side with various partners in Lima, and a coffee co-operative - Café Femenino - in Chiclayo. At the center of the SJU in Peru program, is the goal of facilitating an experiential discovery process that helps students begin to understand patterns of consumption and waste, the disparity between the global north and south, the foundations of social justice issues and work, gender inequalities, and the exploitative arrangements built into the marketplace. Students participate in pre-departure sessions, readings and assignments, a short-term experience in Peru, and a re-integration retreat, all designed to help students take a step outside of their comfort zone to challenge their perspectives and develop more compassionate, respectful understandings of others and the world.”
https://www.sju.ca/sju-peru
Beyond Borders
“The Beyond Borders program provides an opportunity for students to have a perspective-shifting encounter with new people, vibrant cultures, and with themselves. It allows students to discover alternative perspectives, realities and ways of life. Beyond Borders’ praxis is rooted in the values of Catholic Social Teaching and thus pushes students to build community, practice solidarity, and to respect and engage with the dignity of all people. It is a chance to be fully immersed in development and social justice issues and witness them through a new lens.”
https://www.sju.ca/beyond-borders
Today we are interviewing Lillian Carvalho in order to learn about her experience in the Service Learning Programs at St. Jerome’s. Lillian is a current Honours Arts student (Gender & Social Justice major) who participated in SJU in Peru and is currently participating in the “in class“ portion of the Beyond Borders program.
How did you learn about Service Learning at SJU
I learned about, Beyond Borders when I came to an open house day at SJU before I was even a student here! It wasn’t until participating in SJU in Peru that I became more familiar with the program and began to seriously consider applying for Beyond Borders.
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Can you tell us about your SJU in Peru Experience?
I became involved with SJU in Peru during my first year here at SJU, travelling abroad just before starting my 2A term. Through the SJU in Peru program we had several pre-trip experiences where we had the opportunity to get to know the group and prepare for the experiences we may encounter. During our time in Peru we spent a few days in Lima learning of the history of Peru and the economic disparities found across the city. Then we travelled to Piura where we met SFD and PAPAS (Peruvian Anti-Poverty Action Society) to learn about the work they do in creating economic development in communities through providing educational business courses to women. After staying with PAPAS in Piura we travelled to Chiclayo, Peru to meet with Café Femenino.
When staying with Café Femenino, we travelled to two rural communities to experience the positive influence that the fair-trade cooperative has had. In one of the communities, Tallapampa, we had the opportunity to meet with community members and learn about the project they are working on with the support of Café Femenino and St. Jerome’s University. Tallapampa is a community that is being strongly affected by global warming. The rainy season (which would ensure water for crops to grow) has decreased from 6 months of the year to only 3 months, radically affecting the community's ability to grow coffee beans. Through this issue the community proposed a water reservoir project which we, as SJU in Peru, got to experience part of the construction for. The work that is being done through Café Femenino being a cooperative is giving communities, such as Tallapampa, the opportunity to adapt and thrive.
It was through my experience with SJU in Peru that I was inspired to take this experience further and apply for the Beyond Borders program at St. Jerome’s. I first learned about Beyond Borders when I came to an open house day at SJU before I was even a student here, but it wasn’t until participating in SJU in Peru that I knew Beyond Borders was the right next step for me.
Where will you be travelling and serving for Beyond Borders?
Through Beyond Borders I will be travelling to and living in Chiclayo, Peru while working with Café Femenino! Café Femenino is a Fair Trade Cooperative of women coffee producers, founded by the members in Peru. They use the premiums from their Fair Trade coffee business to support other community development projects that improve the lives of everyone in the cooperative.
What have the experience and travel preparations been like so far?
So far, the experience has been wonderful! We spent a few days together as a cohort in the fall term getting to know one another and learning about the university’s partners and possible placement options. Our class began at the beginning of this term which has been an incredible opportunity to dive into some of the injustices that face our world and have conversations around what they mean for us individually in our own lives and as travelers.
I’ve also started my volunteer placement at the Queen St. Common Café in Kitchener. All the workers are very kind and compassionate, and the Café is a wonderful space to spend some time in! (I recommend it as a study spot, it's just a quick ION ride away!)
What would you like to tell someone, who is considering signing up for Beyond Borders?
When I first learned about Beyond Borders, I didn’t think it was something I wanted to be involved in, the experience seemed way too intense for me! But I’m so glad to have taken a risk and I recommend that you do too! It might seem scary at first (and even now when I think about it, it still is) but it’s going to all be worth it! SJU has so many wonderful supports in place for students involved in service learning, ensuring that there is always someone there to have conversations with and to champion you along your journey!
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If you have any suggestions for content that you would love to read about on our blog, please send an email to outreach@sju.ca! We would love to know what our students are interested in reading and knowing more about.
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