Project Mexico and Twelfth Night

On Thursday November 20th I went to the Project Mexico Auction, it was an auction in McGuire Hall to support the group from Loyola participating this winter. The auction was fun, with a lot of great items and taco’s! But, it also allowed me to learn a lot about the immersion trip and how it originally started here at Loyola. Even though I am only a freshman, this auction made me aware and interested so that I can participate, or at least look into going on the trip next year as a sophomore. This kind of auction is the exact type of event that promotes Jesuit education. The thrill and fun aspect of the auction brought all types of students here to unite and learn, as well as raise money for a great group trip on campus.

From the research that I did I found out a lot about the origin of Project Mexico. Project Mexico, a 10-day service immersion program in Tijuana and Tecate, Mexico. It began in 1987, founded by two Jesuits here named, Peter Clark, and Joseph Koterski, ironically enough it was almost by accident. Father Clark wanted to give his students a first-hand experience with justice and had planned, along with Father Koterski, a trip to Haiti where a group of students and staff would work in a hospital for HIV-AIDS patients. Because of violence in that country the United States took away the groups visa. Then the group an opportunity to work in Tijuana, Mexico at a place called Casa de Los Pobres, or "the House for the Poor." After this trip, Project Mexico was born.

This immersion trip, as long as the promoting the core values of Jesuit education go along well with many of the readings we have done in this class. Specifically now while reading the Twelfth Night it brings up questions of loyalty and service. Similarly to many of the characters in this book students at Loyola are trying to help Mexico. I realize that it is a different type of loyalty but Viola and Sebastian are loyal and dedicated just like us today.