Students and faculty from Presentation Academy traveled to Las Flores, Belize, in October to help construct a home for a local woman and her son in honor of Sister Mary Assumpta Dwyer. Partnering with the San Miguel Arcangel Missions, the group spent a week working alongside community members to bring stability and support to a family in need.
Prior to the students’ departure, a commissioning ceremony was held at Nazareth on Sept. 21, 2025. The service included a special rendition of the Belizean national anthem sung by Sisters who had previously served in the Caribbean, grounding the team in prayer and purpose before their trip.
The mission team included seven students, accompanied by social studies teacher and Pres alumna Olivia Atkinson, Class of 2018. The group was led by Sister Amina Bejos, SCN, a Belizean native who has guided numerous student mission groups in her home country. During their stay, they lived at the San Miguel House in Las Flores, sharing meals, reflection, and community.
The home was built for Ms. Jolee, a young mother living in the Agua Vida community. Before receiving the home, she lacked stable housing and access to utilities. The new home now provides her and her son with secure shelter, running water, and solar-powered electricity. It was built in honor of Sister Mary Assumpta Dwyer and her family, whose legacy continues to inspire acts of service and compassion.
Throughout the week, students stained fascia boards, installed PVC walls and ceilings, painted, set windows, and completed final cleaning to prepare the home for blessing and move-in. The work was steady and collaborative, with each student contributing with care and purpose.
“This experience opened my heart. I learned how meaningful it is to slow down, listen, and truly see the people you’re serving alongside.”
— Magdalena Spalding
“The community welcomed us with such warmth. I will carry their generosity and joy with me for the rest of my life.”
— Zoe Eme
“Working on the house helped me understand what it means to serve with intention. I came home wanting to live more simply so others can simply live.”
— Maddie Semones
The group also immersed themselves in Belizean culture, visiting the Xunantunich Archaeological Site, swimming in the Blue Hole, sharing a meal with the Bejos family in San Ignacio, and visiting St. Michael’s School in Las Flores. They were welcomed by primary school children who sang the Belizean national anthem, followed by a friendly basketball game that brought smiles to both sides.
Each evening, students gathered for reflection on their work and relationships formed during the week. Their discussions centered on community, simplicity, responsibility, and gratitude. The immersion deepened their understanding of global inequality while revealing the resilience and strength within the Belizean community.
“The people we met showed us how to care for one another,” said Madeline Galligan. “Their love was steady and quiet. It changed the way I see the world.”
The students returned home with a renewed sense of community and a stronger commitment to living out Presentation Academy’s mission of leadership and compassion. They hope future students will continue building connections between Presentation Academy and the Las Flores community through similar immersion experiences.