Saint Francis High School students spend their winter break in San Mateo Sindihui, Oaxaca, Mexico

After a five-hour flight, 20 students and three teachers from Saint Francis High School arrived in Mexico City, beginning their expedition to San Mateo Sindihui, to help build a basketball court. At 2:30 pm on December 26th, our leader, Juan Carlos, welcomed us from the airport with open arms. We then set off for a 7-hour drive to the state of Oaxaca. After a quick overnight at a hostel, we began our second day with an exploration of Oaxaca City, visiting local markets and churches. After a delicious brunch, we resumed the journey to San Mateo Sindihui. With an additional seven hours on the bus, we arrived at the community, and the work ahead was finally tangible.

Even after arriving countless hours later than expected at the community, we were still welcomed with warm food, no resentment, and assistance from anybody available to make our first night as comfortable as possible. This made it very clear to us all that we were always welcome, despite our circumstances. This feeling continued throughout our stay, with everybody inviting us over for food, including us in their games, joining us on our excursions, and even dancing with us at the community-wide New Year’s party.

This connection to the community continued to grow throughout our stay in the beautiful and vibrant town of San Mateo Sindihui. Our amazing cooks, Celia and Soledad, never ceased to surprise us with amazing home-cooked meals, authentic to the community. We experienced three meals a day, each more flavorful and delicious than the last.

The project started on our 1st day at the community, where we awoke bright and early to begin building the court. Hand in hand with the community we worked, shoveling dirt, passing buckets, and pouring cement. Many of us had never done this type of work, yet the locals working alongside us stayed very patient. They gave us tips, cracked jokes, and always had a smile on their face. This work continued for three days, finishing the court on schedule and making friends with each other and the locals along the way.

While San Mateo Sindihui already had a court, it was often unavailable. The implementation of a new court will allow for San Mateo Sindihui’s youth to have a greater ability to participate in sports. Along with this, it provides the community with an additional gathering spot, allowing them to continue strengthening their already strong connections to one another.

Alongside the project of building the court, we were tasked with fun challenges that pushed us out of our comfort zone and encouraged us to interact with the locals. These challenges prompted us to ask about experiences or traditions, compare lifestyles, and find similarities in all our lives.  

Throughout our trip, we partook in many fun little activities. We hiked to a river where we bonded with others on our trip, talking and laughing as we splashed in the water. On the way there, we learned about a very historic stone which looked like the Virgin Mary. Many moons ago, a priest found the stone and wanted to take it to the town’s chapel. As he picked it up, he felt that it was very light. However, it became very heavy the further he went. He could no longer carry the stone, dropping it down the hill to its original resting position. As he continued walking, his heart stopped, and he died. We also celebrated a student’s birthday party with a piñata, taking turns hitting it and all rushing to the candy when it was broken.

The people of San Mateo Sindihui have a very strong connection with their spirituality, as seen through their daily lives. They reflected the spiritual works of mercy through their words and actions. We partook in a weekday mass during our trip. Although this mass was not on Sunday, the community filled the pews. This showed their commitment to their religion by being very present at this untraditionally timed mass. The presence of God in their life makes their community much stronger, and their belief in a higher being gives them strength.

The New Year’s Eve traditions started on the 30th, with a Calenda throughout the community. This parade started at the church after we attended the afternoon mass. Our trek through the streets was filled with music, fireworks, dancing, and fun games. Following the Calenda, we made our way back to the chapel to watch the firework show, where experienced dancers lit Toritos de polvora carried on top of their heads, creating entrancing flame visuals. Following this, on the night of the 31st, we attended a town-wide New Year’s Eve party. This party featured fireworks, food, dancing, and live music. We all had a blast!

On the eighth day of our trip, we began our voyage back home. We embarked on a ten-hour bus ride to Mexico City. We ventured through Roma Norte, seeing a cemetery, stores, and a park. The following day, we went to the Castillo de Chapultepec. There we learned about 13 young boys aged from 13 to 15 years of age who died during the French War. These 13 young soldiers, unaware that no reinforcements were coming, laid down their lives for the country.

As our trip comes to an end, we reflect on the lifelong memories and lessons created during our stay. From learning from the locals how to handcraft tortillas, to experiencing a simpler way of living with a lack of running water, we are all returning home with a new sense of self. We will remember the hospitality of the community and take their kindness with us back to our own communities. 
~ Diego Garcia and Kayla Mead, Saint Francis High School Student Volunteers

Volunteer Quotes:

The family inviting us to their homeland, giving us their bananas, was a really touching gesture. It saddens me that in the US (at least back home), those kinds of gestures are not as common in communities. ~ Itzel Hernandez Luna

The most difficult part of going home will be not being able to say hi and have random conversations with people. The loss of community will be hard as in America people are more isolated and kept to themselves. ~ Allison Fragoso

I am not a very talkative and outgoing person, and I probably would have never gone on this trip if it weren’t for my brother convincing me. But now I know that I can step outside and overcome my anxiety with a little push. ~ Brooklyn Bollinger

I learned on this trip that I am a very community-oriented person and enjoy being around others. On the work site I enjoyed being with others, I felt more motivated and efficient being with my friends and the community. ~ Diego Garcia

I learned that I enjoy assisting others and collaborating with people from different backgrounds and identities. I realized that pursuing similar experiences in the future would allow me to try new foods, learn about different customs, and understand ways of living that are very different from my own. This experience showed me how small the world truly is, especially my own, and it strengthened my desire to explore it while supporting and assisting those who are less fortunate. ~ Alexandra Garcia

Everyone was very kind and welcoming. We were strangers to them and they still welcomed us like we were family.
~Daniel Bravo

Eating together with the group brought us much closer while eating delicious meals prepared with so much love.
~ Yazmin Lua Badillo

I learned how connected the community was and how everyone knew each other, which is an important value for them. They are also very rooted in their faith, and that’s something they really take deep pride in. They take care of each other and are all a family. ~ Payton Tsao

Language will not stop you from making connections with others. It was very nice to get to know people, even with a translator. I got to speak with the kids, some of the workers on the court, and people from the community. It was great to learn about people’s stories. ~ Abby knight 

My favorite memories are seeing the kids start bonding and then making lasting memories. Oftentimes, these connections would be hindered by social stigmas at school or always relying on phones/social media. It was refreshing to see young people “survive and thrive” without social media/phones. ~ Lisa Butler

Community Quotes:

The community of San Mateo Sindihui is very pleased with Court for Kids for making this court possible. The community is also impressed with the collaborative and effective working dynamic. ~ Juan Clemente Reyes

Regarding the work that was carried out, it was done excellently, and all the members of the community are very pleased with the project. Thank you very much to Courts for Kids and the volunteers who came from far away to make a difference in our town. Warm regards. ~ Mario Perez

The collaboration with Courts for Kids was respectful of our traditions and encouraged participation from community members. This makes us feel special and proud of our own potential. ~ Rigoberto Angel

The work on the court was demanding, and having warm, familiar food made the days easier for those participating. It was a practical way to contribute to the project. Once the court was finished, it felt good to know that my contribution helped sustain the effort. The meals were part of what made the project possible day by day. ~ Soledad Rangel