Sister Margaret Mary recently returned from a month-long term as a volunteer with Kino Border Initiative (KBI) in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Her participation was through a program entitled Catholic Sisters Walking with Migrants. While there, Sister Margaret Mary participated directly in the work of KBI as they served the needs of migrants. Most of her time was spent working in KBI’s comedor (dining) and roperia (clothing), both of which serve the migrants passing through Nogales. Sister Margaret Mary also engaged in interactions with migrants and taught classes in conversational English.
Education is a key part of the volunteer program. In addition to educational sessions on the current situation as it pertains to migrants and migration, the program focused on teachings related to migration from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. A tour of the US Border Patrol Administration in Nogales, AZ, offered information on the problems and challenges agents encounter at the border. Hearing of the experiences of both migrants and Border Patrol agents offered Sister Margaret Mary a broad perspective of the current situation at the border.
Sister Margaret Mary found the entire experience to be enlightening. She is especially grateful for the opportunity to serve directly among migrants, volunteers, and the staff of KBI.
