Students from Holy Names Academy built close bonds with the community of San Juan Jicayan, Oaxaca, Mexico

On April 4th, our group travelled on a long bus ride from Oaxaca City to San Juan Jicayan. After being on the road for a while, spirits were low, and the one thing on everyone's mind was sleep. However, the moment we arrived at the school, our energy was revived. There, we saw community members holding welcome signs, waving, and cheering for us newcomers. They quickly helped us settle in by gifting us special fruits from the community, explaining their significance, and providing us with welcome letters and tasty food to warm our hearts and bellies.

Throughout the next few days, we continued to bond with the community. As we worked on the court, we were able to live out a word called “tequio”. The area of San Juan Jicayan is indigenous land home to the Mixtecan culture. In Mixteco, the word “tequio” means community work. Having this as our guiding principle, we devoted ourselves to working as one with the community and embracing their culture. We shovelled sand and gravel, worked as an assembly line to move buckets, and even were able to smooth out some of the cement on the sides of the court. We were able to rapidly construct the court with so much of the local community showing up to provide hands and resources.

In the afternoons, we bonded with local members and partook in cultural activities. We walked around town meeting with locals who welcomed us into their homes. One explained to us how empanochadas (a very delicious bread) were made and even gifted us some, making sure that a supply of them was sent up to the school every day for us. Another showed us crafts made by all members of his family, with him making earrings, his son making masks, and his wife making dresses and cloths with the waist loom. He was even kind enough to gift us jícara cups to take home. Students from the community taught us Mixtecan words and phrases like “chumi”, which means cat, and “tikuvo”, which means butterfly. We were able to practice traditional dances used in community rituals.

Our group was invited to celebrate a Quinceañera for one of the local girls, Ivanna. First, we ventured into town to participate in the Mass being held. After the Mass, we walked further into town where a huge venue was set up for the celebration. We had a yummy dinner and then watched Ivanna dance beautifully with her family members in a traditionally large Quinceañera dress. The music was blasting, making its way through town and lasting into the late hours.

Throughout our time in San Juan Jicayan, one thing that served as a constant reminder that we were welcome was the food. We were lucky enough to have five lovely ladies make us breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day. In each meal, we could feel their dedication to their craft, eating whatever they put in front of us quickly, often asking for seconds. The ladies always arrived with huge smiles on their faces, infecting everyone with their kindness and laughter. During one of our last meals, they gifted each of us a vibrantly colored headscarf, something they had worn while serving each meal.

On our last day in San Juan Jicayan, we had a celebration on the completion and opening of the athletic court. There were traditional dance performances and music to enjoy. We were even invited to participate in the show, doing a few acts that showcased fun American dances and talents. During one of the Mixtecan dances, our group recognized that it was the dance we had learned earlier in the week, and we were invited to join the stage and dance with the locals. Awards were handed out to community members who contributed to the construction of the court, and beautiful speeches were given, bringing warmth to everyone's hearts. Afterwards, a volleyball tournament commenced where we played with the local students for many hours, enjoying each other's presence all the way until it was time for bed.

As we depart from San Juan Jicayan, we leave with our hearts filled, our minds changed, and a desire to take the way we lived life this past week back home. The best part of the Courts for Kids trip wasn’t necessarily building the court, but rather the memories we made that will last a lifetime. Our group experienced a kind of hospitality and kindness that sometimes can seem so rare. A kindness that has transformed all of us into better human beings and inspired us to live differently as we come home.
~ Camille Crabtree, Holy Names Academy student volunteer

Volunteer Quotes:

I learned from the community that when we give of ourselves to others, we receive back tenfold. The generous pouring out of love and time and friendship and food was so inspiring. And it never felt like they were counting the cost — something I am often guilty of. At home, sometimes I fall into patterns of keeping score, which is not good for me or for members of my community. ~ Julia Bradler, student volunteer

I learned from this community what community truly is. They showed me what community truly is by always having each other's backs, bringing joy to everyone, and being so welcoming. As soon as I stepped into San Juan, I felt welcomed and instantly brought joy from this joyful community. This community is truly like no other. I have never felt so close to a community, not even my own. Therefore, what I have learned is the real definition of community. ~ Gabby Chavez, student volunteer

At first, I was worried because communicating felt hard, especially with the teenagers. But, as the trip has gone on, I’ve felt more confident because of how much grace and patience they’ve shown. I also want to be a much more generous person and show people I don’t know well the amount of love they’ve shown me. ~ Clare Tilghman-Walsh, student volunteer

I learned so much from this community about being a welcoming and kind person. From the very first night, they have given us amazing food, a comfortable place to live for a week, and volunteered their time to introduce us to their culture. Also, every workday, people from around the community came to work on the court, even if they had no connection except that they live here. I want to be more like this community in their kindness and willingness to help anyone around them. They have given much more to me than I could ever give back to them, and they have taught me so much about caring about people, even if you do not know them well. ~ Mary Stender, student volunteer

I was surprised and delighted to find a community where culture and customs were still very much intact. The upsides to the strong community bond and unity is the organization and execution of communal work, such as the athletic court that we helped build. At the opening ceremony, every single person’s name who had contributed to the court with a donation was read aloud. Everyone knows everybody. ~ Cecilia Lofquist Traum, teacher volunteer

I learned that the world really is a beautiful place. Seeing all the greenery, colorful houses, and experiencing how kind everyone is has shaped how I measure beauty. Sometimes beauty is how you treat others and how others treat you. I think I will really take from how kind these people are and try to apply it to my day-to-day life. ~ Camille Crabtree, student volunteer

San Juanito showed me to be kind, welcoming, and to support those around me. The people in this community have been patient in understanding me and others on this trip. They also spread love, and will inspire me to spread love once we get back home. The gifts they give have taught me to be more welcoming and kind to people I don’t know as well as others.
~ Kaela Higgins, student volunteer

Community Quotes:

The teamwork and camaraderie were excellent. Social and emotional bonds were forged through teamwork, solidarity, friendship, discipline, harmony, and ethics. The residents played a very active part.
~ Ana Laura Raymundo Calvo, school teacher

Courts for Kids is a truly heartfelt organization. You can really see the positive impact it has on the young people at our school through the teamwork involved in making this great dream a reality. The interaction between the two cultures was incredible.
~ Angélica Nohemí Mendoza, student’s parent

This project is going to help many generations of the school community. Community support, communication, and a sense of togetherness were key to the project’s success. Thank you for your support – wow!
~ Catalino Jimenez, construction committee member

I loved sharing our Mixteco culture with the visitors, especially the dances and our language. Also, making strong friendships with the girls in such a short time, that was unexpected. ~ Zabdiel Octavio Merino, student

The work and coexistence fostered this week between local students and the visiting students from Holy Names Academy will be remembered for many years to come and by future generations, as they developed skills and abilities that contribute to the social and emotional well-being of our young people. ~ Victorio Marin, school principal