The Central American town of Dangriga, Belize, stretches along the Caribbean coast. It is the cultural center of the Garifuna, people of mixed indigenous and African descent, and is the largest town in southern Belize. 
“The crystal blue waters, the green towering trees, the water droplets collecting on the spider webs, the roaring waterfall, and the clear blue sky after a cleansing rain made the experience truly magical. I felt at one with nature and welcomed by its majesty. I believe that God was strongest at this moment.”
—Joe Fleming ’10
Each year, a small group of Loyola students—Ignacio Volunteers—travel to Dangriga to serve as teachers and coaches for about 300 local Belizean primary school students at the annual Umadagu Lescuelana summer camp. This Ignacio Volunteer trip, along with the other Loyola immersion trips, is organized by Dziak and University Ministry staff member Josh Daly through the Office of Mission and Ministry. Mission and Ministry sponsors the Ignacio Volunteer Immersion Programs, including two in Jamaica, two in Belize, two new domestic trips (a Bayou Experience and a New Orleans Urban Plunge, both to be held during spring break) and one new trip to El Paso, working with the migrant population along the Mexican border. The Umadagu Lescuelana summer camp, now well-known throughout Belize, was created by Dziak in 1990 and has been held 16 times during the past 19 years. The program is now in its fourth year at Loyola.
“Outside of everything that is expected, one is able to discover self, in truest form. I’ll remember the Mayan kids, with smiles as bright as the countless stars in the black night of San Jose. I’ll remember the hammock and random dance parties. I’ll remember my kids: the moment they responded to me, hugged me. I’ll remember their eyes.”
—Lexi Gaddis ’12
The Ignacio Volunteers live in a Dangriga community center for the elderly, called the Helpage building. The center, unused by the community in the summer, sits right on the Caribbean coast. The students sleep on mats on the floor and eat meals together at the center. The weather is hot, the showers are cold, and the living is simple.
Ignacio Volunteers are paired up with local high school and junior college students to teach arts and crafts, reading and writing, and math, as well as coach basketball, soccer, and volleyball.” The goal is for the students to immerse themselves in the experience, and to value the interactions they have with the students, their co-teachers, the townspeople, and themselves.
“Not one day goes by without me remembering my kids, my classroom, the Helpage, our beautiful dinners. I can say I became a much more confident person after this trip; I learned to rely less on material things and let go; trust that it is God who has the greater plan for me.”
—Arlene Imendia ’11
During the first full week, the volunteers explore Belize, touring rainforests and Mayan ruins and jumping off waterfalls. They also meet many people, including residents of a small Mayan village. The volunteers spend two nights there—sleeping on the floor—with no electricity or running water. After that, they are off to Dangriga for two weeks. They end with a couple of days on a caye off the Caribbean coast, involved in final reflection and relaxation.
“Immersion programs create a sense of global awareness and citizenship. It’s a way to help our students to understand the world,” he says. “Students take back so much more than they give. It ties into what we do as a Jesuit university: selfless giving, being men and women for others.”
“This trip made me push my limits and give me insight to what I think my life’s aim should be.”
—Jeffrey Ramon ’12
