On July 8th, the adventure of a group of 10 Marist students aged 16 and 17 began. They study in the Marist schools of Rancagua and Villa Alemana and are accompanied by an English teacher, Mrs. Caroline Wittenberg. The trip was long and tiring, but it was worth it, considering the warmth, kindness, respect and concern shown by the educational community of St Henry’s Marist College in Durban.
We have already been inserted into the community, starting with a mass enlivened by the voices of a wonderful choir, which started the third term and, taking advantage of the occasion, they welcomed us. The students from Chile actively participated in the reading of prayers in both English and Spanish. This was followed by a tour of the school to meet the teachers and the places where classes and other school activities take place.
A touching detail was to feel the Marist stamp everywhere. To see declared at the entrance of the school the same Marist values that characterise us and that we share in our country. It is wonderful to know that schools located geographically so far away, with such different cultural backgrounds, have in common the fraternity of the values of the global Marist family.
As part of the intercultural experience, the delegation of students shares a brief overview of Chile on a daily basis. They will learn about the geography of the country, the culture, the climate, the typical food, etc. In addition, they will have the opportunity to teach simple words of the Spanish language. This takes place in the daily meeting that the students have in the school yard before the start of classes. In this space, prayer is shared and general information is given. The accompanying teacher will also have the opportunity to teach Spanish to the upper secondary school classes. Some students of the school already greet each other in Spanish with effort, but very happily saying “Hi!”
During the first week we participated in something that is very familiar to the Marists: solidarity activities. In this case the objective is to prepare food for those in need. From seven o’clock in the morning the girls help in the kitchen and then go to distribute the food to people living in street situations. The teachers at St Henry’s were thrilled to learn that Marist students in Chile also carry out similar activities in hospices for the homeless, in homes for the elderly and in vulnerable sectors. It is exciting to know how the spirit of Champagnat is alive all over the world.
Below, we share the opinions of the Chilean students about the experience they are living:
Luciana Elgueta (Villa Alemana): ‘It has been an enriching and fun experience. Everyone has been nice and very welcoming to us. I think we have all learnt a lot of things and I hope it continues to be like this’.
Fernanda Díaz (Rancagua): ‘I have had an excellent time. Everyone here is very kind and understanding and the family is very attentive to me. It has been a very good experience’.
Fiorella Pilloti (Villa Alemana): ‘It is a unique experience, everyone has been very kind and nice, so far it has been a very good experience’.
Ángeles Bravo (Villa Alemana): ‘The people and my family have proved to be very kind, welcoming and respectful. The places I have visited so far are beautiful’.
Isidora Rebolledo (Rancagua): ‘I have had a very good experience, my family is concerned and kind, and they respect my space, just as I respect theirs. Little by little I have been getting used to it and I like that we almost always go out, or when I want to rest they understand me’.
Caroline Wittenberg – accompanying teacher on exchange
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