La Casa de la Solidaridad

San Andrés has been blessed this year to participate in La Casa de la Solidaridad, a college exchange program between Jesuit universities in the U.S. and the UCA (Universidad Centroamericana) in El Salvador. College students from the states spend four months learning in El Salvador--in the context of classwork in liberation theology, Spanish, and other disciplines, living in community with Salvadoran and U.S. peers, and spending two days a week in marginal community around San Salvador. Two wonderful people, Adam and Amy, spent from January through May with us in Amatapec-- assisting with English classes, playing at recess, hanging out in community members homes, teaching (and learning!) dance, interviewing community members about their experiences during the war, and even spending Sunday mornings and weekends with us outside of their scheduled community time. Their presence was a true blessing for the children and adults of San Andrés, who came to love them like members of their families. I believe this was because Amy and Adam were willing to step outside of their comfort zone and be vulnerable enough to receive hospitality. For more information on the Casa program, check out their website: www.scu.edu/casa/.