Over the past few weeks, we were pleased to host Alejandro Calderón, Director of Fe y Alegría El Salvador, and Fr. Marco Gómez, S.J., Director of Fe y Alegría Panama, for a series of conversations across the United States. These events brought together friends and supporters of Fe y Alegría in the United States, while sharing impactful stories of education on the margins and the future of global solidarity. At a time when changes to U.S. foreign aid are reshaping the landscape for international development and education, the visit created space for reflection, dialogue, and deeper understanding rooted in lived experience.
Alejandro and Fr. Marco drew on decades of experience in Jesuit education and social programs and shared personal reflections on the impact of Fe y Alegría’s work in their communities. In both El Salvador and Panama, Fe y Alegría is engaged in daily accompaniment of individuals, families, and communities navigating increasingly complex social and economic realities. In these contexts, and despite significant cuts to foreign aid programs, hope continues to flourish.
For American Jesuits International, hosting this visit was an opportunity to ensure that conversations about education, foreign aid spending, and the impacts of U.S. government policies are informed by the voices of those closest to the communities most affected. At the same time, the incredible outpouring of support from our donors has been essential in helping Fe y Alegría respond to sudden and unprecedent cuts in U.S. Foreign aid. Throughout the visit, Alejandro and Fr. Marco were able to meet the individuals and communities whose generosity has helped them bridge the gap during this past year.
One essential take away from this visit: Alejandro and Fr. Marco emphasized the importance of listening carefully in moments of uncertainty. Rather than offering abstract analysis, they shared firsthand reflections on what it means to defend the right to education, opportunity, and hope in contexts where resources are limited and challenges are growing.
Washington, D.C.: Policy, perspective, and global solidarity
The visit began in Washington, D.C., where conversations centered on the broader policy environment shaping education and social programs across Latin America. Alejandro and Fr. Marco visited Capitol Hill, connected with supporters from the D.C. area, and participated in online events and interviews that will reach an even wider audience.
Accompanied by Giulia McPherson, a member of our Board of Directors and Executive Director of the Global Campaign for Education–US, Alejandro and Fr. Marco shared their perspectives and stories with elected officials in Washington. The group met with staff from the offices of Senator John Curtis of Utah, Representative Joaquín Castro of Texas, and Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. Together, they discussed how shifts in U.S. policies have affected communities in Latin America and underscored the importance of ensuring meaningful access to quality education for all, especially those who are marginalized and vulnerable.
These conversations continued with our community of supporters. About 25 people joined us at the offices of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, where American Jesuits International is also based. Over food and conversation, participants listened to testimonies shared by Alejandro and Fr. Marco. In what was the first of a series of presentations, they described how decisions made at the global and national levels directly affect classrooms, teacher training programs, and support services for families on the margins. The conversation underscored the importance of sustained international solidarity and long-term commitment, even as political priorities change. Rather than framing challenges solely in terms of funding gaps, Alejandro and Fr. Marco highlighted the resilience of communities and the creative ways educators continue to respond.
West Coast conversations: encounter, community, and shared commitment
From Washington, D.C., the visit continued to the West Coast, with in-person events in Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma. Across these cities, Alejandro and Fr. Marco were welcomed by Jesuit communities, parishes, educators, students, and longtime supporters of the Jesuit mission. Each gathering offered an opportunity not only to share updates from Fe y Alegría’s work, but also to listen to and learn from U.S.-based communities engaged in global solidarity.
In Washington State, they spoke with a wide range of audiences. They participated in events at Seattle University, Gonzaga University, and an all-school assembly at Bellarmine Preparatory School; visited classrooms at Gonzaga Preparatory School; joined parishioners from St. Leo’s Parish in Tacoma at Bellarmine’s the Ignatian Evening; and shared meals and conversation with Jesuits, lay collaborators, and supporters throughout the week.
Across formats and settings, these conversations were marked by openness and mutual exchange. Participants asked thoughtful questions about the realities facing students on the margins, the role of Jesuit education in times of crisis, and how communities in the United States can remain meaningfully connected to global partners. Alejandro and Fr. Marco responded with stories from their own contexts, including teachers accompanying students through hardship, migrants seeking safety and opportunity, and young people whose lives have been shaped by access to inclusive, quality education.
Why Fe y Alegría’s voices matter in the United States
The visit served as a reminder of why voices like Alejandro’s and Fr. Marco’s matter in conversations about education and global solidarity. Their expertise is not theoretical; it is rooted in long-term relationships and accountability to the communities Fe y Alegría serves. As leaders of national Fe y Alegría programs, members of the Board of Directors of Fe y Alegría International, and individuals deeply committed to this mission, they bring perspectives shaped by faith, justice, and accompaniment.
At a moment when narratives about aid, impact, and efficiency can become abstract, their reflections grounded the conversation in human experience. Fe y Alegría’s work continues to affirm education as a right and to demonstrate what is possible when communities are supported over the long term.
Gratitude and looking ahead
American Jesuits International is grateful to Alejandro Calderón and Fr. Marco Gómez, S.J., for their generosity in sharing their time, experience, and insights. We also thank the communities in Washington, DC, Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma who welcomed these conversations and engaged so thoughtfully.
As global challenges continue to evolve, listening to partners on the ground remains essential. This visit reaffirmed the importance of accompaniment, dialogue, and shared responsibility in defending education on the margins and sustaining hope for the future. If you are interested and able to support us in this work, please consider sharing this story with others, asking them to sign up for our newsletter, and donate to help Jesuit works on the margins.
