In 2024, two schools run by Redemptorists in Brazil and Peru carried out a student exchange for the first time. From 03 to 16 June, students from the Instituto Redentorista Menino Deus – Passo Fundo-RS in Brazil participated in a student exchange with the Colegio Redentoristas San Alfonso de Lima, Peru. Later, from 17 to 30 June, the Peruvian students were hosted by the Redemptorist school in Passo Fundo, Brazil.
In idealising this approach between the two schools, we had in mind the objectives of getting to know the pedagogical proposal of each school; identifying points in common in the work orientations, methodologies and pedagogical activities developed; providing opportunities for students and directors to experience the Redemptorist charism in both schools; providing an exchange of cultural and educational experiences that would strengthen the sense of belonging to the teachings of St. Alphonsus, the Redemptorist saints and the charism of the Congregation.
estudiantes brasileros llegan a Lima 
estudiantes brasileros en la plaza de Armas de Lima 
estudiantes brasileros en el colegio San Alfonso de Lima 
estudiantes peruanos llegan a Brasil 
Autoridades de Passo Fundo con la dirección del colegio redentorista
The operational aspects of the realisation of this exchange were organised between the two directorates and the coordinators of both schools so that the costs would be reasonable for the families who accompanied us in this challenge. Thus, we carried out the first exchange with curricular immersion for the students, validated by the two directorates. It differs from a tourist and cultural exchange, which would already be a good contribution. But we went further. The curricular components were equivalent: the validation of the study time with the pedagogical work required and the achievement of the pedagogical objectives to be met by the students. For this, the period of stay in each school was 15 days to experience this new knowledge.
The participants got to know and experience the historical factors that constructed each country’s social, economic, and cultural identity, promoting values and ethical norms of behaviour, spirituality, and social coexistence. Each student was hosted by a member of the host country’s family, and in this way, the strengthening of ties of coexistence could be intensively felt.
Although the two schools are geographically distant and have no previous common programming, many points of affinity show the strength of the Redemptorist charism in pedagogical work. The feeling of humility and acceptance of the other, even if different, was intensely present. The presence of faith in an exercise of the love of neighbour, seeking the wellbeing of those they welcomed, was a tonic in both groups. The value of community work was revealed at every step.
Both educational spaces vividly express the importance of love and art as tools for educating sensitivity. This leads us to the strengthened hope of a humanising education, as proclaimed by the Redemptorist charism.
It is a breaking down of borders so that Redemptorist schools can affirm themselves and use these exchanges to strengthen this integral education, to give young people paths that inspire them to exercise their initiatives on a social level, with a view to a more fraternal society.
Rossemery del Pilar Castillo Gamarra
Director of the Redemptorist School San Alfonso, Lima-Peru
Márcia Bandeira Vargas Muccini
Escola Redentorista Instituto Menino Deus- Passo Fundo-RS/Brazil
