Marianist Volunteers in Mexico

MARIANIST VOLUNTEERS MAKE AN IMPACT IN MEXICO
Marianist volunteers in Mexico: Clockwise from top, Meghan Brown with her afternoon English students; Sarah Dawson addressing a women’s group from La Chinantla; Sarah Marquart with girls from the dorm she supervises at Casa San Isidro; and Megan Barron carving an image of Mary out of wood for a DECAMP employee. Photos courtesy of Meghan Brown

Their jobs are different but their missions the same: to make a difference in lives of the people of La Chinantla, Mexico. Megan Barron, Meghan Brown, Sarah Dawson and Sarah Marquart began their Marianist volunteer experiences in August in La Chinantla. “A typical day for me is driving on roads you can’t even imagine in the U.S.—potholes, flooding, mud and gravel that are really dangerous,” said Dawson. “But the countryside is beautiful and the ladies are friendly.” The “ladies” Dawson refers to are women in local communities she is mentoring in self improvement and life skills.

Sarah Marquart’s day starts off differently but is equally adventurous. Marquart is the “dorm mom” for 26 girls who live at Casa San Isidro. She rises at 5 a.m. to ensure the girls leave for school by 6:30 a.m. After school she supervises their play, chores and homework. “My job is to be with the girls and make sure everything is okay,” said Marquart. “I feel validated in being here and honored that they trust me with their feelings.”

Sarah Marquart, Sarah Dawson, Megan Barron, Tess Lauchaire, recent graduate on an immersion experience in Mexico, and Meghan Brown

Meghan Brown, who has no formal training as a teacher, spends her days teaching English to children, high school students and adults. She is also the official photographer for DECAMP, the Marianist Rural Development Project in Uxpanapa, Mexico. Brown said it’s been rewarding to know her students, especially the children, are learning. “We’ve been practicing words in class, but they have been very hesitant to use them. Someone recently told me they are using the words outside of class. I was so thrilled! In a small way, it affirms my purpose for being here,” said Brown.

For Megan Barron, it’s all about art and establishing an art program for the community. She began by teaching basic art to young girls from Casa San Isidro. Now she is teaching oil painting to young women nearly every day of the week. In her spare time, she is learning wood carving at a local carpentry shop. “Living in community with the other volunteers has been a lot of fun,” said Barron. “I thought it would be a lot like living in the dorms in college, but I realized how much we really function more like a family.”

The volunteers admitted it was tough being away from family and friends, but another surprising adjustment for some was being viewed as “different” because of their skin color. “There aren’t many white people in the valley here, so people just stare at you because you are foreign and because you are white,” said Dawson. “I’m getting used to it, but it was uncomfortable at first.” Another surprise involved showering. “I have learned that many people here actually prefer taking cold showers. Some of the girls told me when it is cold outside, they take very cold showers to warm up,” said Sarah Marquart.

Despite the cultural differences and adjustments to community living, the volunteers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to challenge themselves and make a difference in the lives of others. “I know there is no place I’d rather be right now,” said Meghan Brown. “While it can be difficult to be away from home, I’m happy.”