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The Four Pillars
Global Outreach is built on the pillars of simple living/cultural immersion, community, spirituality, and social justice. The pillars are an interconnected framework that allows the students to build their experience on a multi dimensional platform that addresses their individual growth and the growth of the community as it relates to the greater world community.
To achieve a meaningful experience, we ask each participant to live simply and in community with the other participants, to examine the causes of social injustice, and to appreciate the experience of our various world cultures. We hope that upon returning, the participant retains this new perspective and shares it with his or her own community. We ask each individual and team to adopt and respect the four pillars of Global Outreach, which have been created for this purpose. They are:
Simplicity of Life/Cultural Immersion
Global Outreach communities are asked to live simple lifestyles that promote personal relationships over material possessions, ultimately allowing for a more in-depth cultural immersion. For some, simple living might entail limited access to water for bathing which addresses the water crisis in many of our host communities. For others it could be a simple meal to better understand the lack of equal food distribution. Simple living allows the Global Outreach communities to fully immerse themselves in the local culture and to obtain deeper personal relationships.
Community
Global Outreach teams are formed around the principle of communal living. Each team is assembled several weeks prior to the project’s travel dates. During this time, the team works to achieve solidarity and interdependence through team meetings, reflections, and retreats. During the project, the community shares meals, living space, and expenses. In addition to developing community with the immediate team, the GO community seeks to immerse itself in the fabric of the host community. Upon returning from their trip, GO communities are encouraged to maintain their team dynamic through further reflections, team activities, and communication with the host community.
Spirituality
Global Outreach is both a physical and a spiritual journey. Each participant is asked to partake in team reflections to assist each other in understanding the various ways in which we process the emotionally and physically challenging aspects of a Global Outreach experience. Regardless of one’s faith, it is important to share your spiritual growth and to understand the spiritual nature and growth of your community. Although built on Ignatian spirituality, Global Outreach is open to participants of all faiths and backgrounds. The only requirement is that you are open to the spiritual experiences of others.
Social Justice
Global Outreach communities learn about various issues of injustice and seek to address the root causes of injustice that are rooted in our society. Many projects learn about issues such as inadequate housing, disparities of wealth, HIV/AIDS services, hunger, environmental sustainability, immigration, and atrocities of war. Through examining issues of poverty and injustice, Global Outreach communities come to an enhanced undersigning of their role in the greater world community.
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