Page 19 - Priorities #70

Costa Rica
Argentina
A large group of juniors and seniors embarked on an amazing trip to
Argentina over spring break. From cities to jungles and mountains, the
students experienced a themed global learning curriculum focused on
social justice. They started by learning about Argentina’s health system
and disabilities only to help bring one of the most famous musicians
out to “Casa San Roque” a privately funded health facility for people
with disabilities. One of the disabled community members, Pancho, is a
musician as well and the Priory was involved in creating a concert that
ended up raising enough money to send Pancho to meet the Pope in the
Vatican City! The trip ended with a connection between our students
and those of the poorest villas as they danced, sang, played sports and
learned how to play instruments together, ultimately understanding that individuality and unique identity transcend cultural, socio-economic and language barriers. The group also experienced tango, a specialized social
justice city tour and the beauty of the Andes Mountains and Iguazu Falls.
It was truly a Global learning experience! 19
During service week a small group of seniors and two teachers teamed with Dream Volunteers, a Redwood City non-profit,
to do community service in the small town of Providencia, Costa Rica. During their time in Costa Rica they participated
in homestays–living, sleeping, eating, and speaking Spanish with local families in Providencia. While in Providencia, they met 16 young dreamers from the local community that are supported by Dream Volunteers. They shared culture, customs, and camaraderie during free time activities, and also worked alongside each other in service. The main service project was
to help a local organization, Green Communities, whose goal
is to bring sustainable development to the Los Santos region of
Costa Rica by converting conventional coffee farms into organic
ecological coffee farms. Students learned much about coffee
farming and sustainability in Costa Rica, and worked to create organic compost daily to offer it to an organic farming collective. The students formed meaningful relationships with their host families, and collectively all the host families participated in many activities with them such as cooking, dancing, soccer games, picnics and more!
Kenya
Priory science faculty lead a 15-day Summer Service Learning and Science Study Abroad Program to Kenya. Over the nine-day stay at
the Daraja Academy of Kenya, one of the first all-girls, private schools established for girls of promise without financial means to attend secondary school. In addition to learning with and from Daraja students in student-centered activities and school classes, Priory students volunteered to serve on campus. Service learning experiences included teaching/tutoring Daraja peers, and completing work on campus for function and beautification, such as slashing vegetation, raking, painting buildings, cleaning, and a desk renovation project. In addition to service learning and intercultural exchange at Daraja Academy, Priory students spent time on safari exploring wildlife and discussing management at conservancies near the school.
SERVICE TRIPS