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On break in Belize

By Jessie Bazan | Photos courtesy of Ann Mulgrew

A dozen Marquette University students traveled to Belize over winter break as a part of the International Marquette Action Program. Along with Campus Ministry staff members Ann Mulgrew and Steve Blaha, the students spent 10 days in Punta Gorda, Belize, where they helped build a second story onto a local school. The group also met with Jesuit Volunteers and people from the local parish to learn more about the Belizean culture and economic programs.   

The 12 selected for the immersion trip met throughout the fall semester to reflect and learn about social justice and cultural sensitivity issues they would face in Belize.

"We took the Ignatius idea of 'reflect, act, reflect‚' to heart," says Mulgrew, the director of IMAP. "We were living what we've been talking about and praying about. It was a cultural exchange and relationship, not just charity."

The Marquette group moved cinder blocks to the school's roof to build a second story that will house a library and classroom.

Student Tom St. Peter, right, worked with local villagers to mix cement.