In 1991, Bob Holmes, high school principal and Basilian priest, gathered a group of students and teachers together to form the first One World group. He had been looking for ways to teach social justice and global issues in a way that allowed his students to connect deeply and personally to the economic poor and oppressed. They purchased an old school bus, outfitted it with a little kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping space for 16 people. They ventured south from British Columbia to Mexico where they lived with families and encoutered some of the realities of a developing nation not far from Canadian borders.

The group called themselves "One World" because they wanted to explore the interconnectedness of their lives with those of the economic poor in the so-called Third World. They were committed to the statement "they will be our teachers", recognizing that they weren't going to Mexico to fix the "problem" of the poor, rather they wanted to listen to how their own livestyles and actions impacted the Mexican people they met. They were committed to changing themselves, to seeing their own culture and lives back home with new lenses.

The students and teachers on that program lived with economically poor families. They spent their time immersing themselves into daily life, experiencing daily life as much as possible. They listened to peoples stories, asked questions, and met with community leaders and organizations. They felt that this form of experiential learning really helped them to understand and connect to the complexities of poverty and injustice. The experience had a lasting impact on their lives - and fueled their future schooling, careers, and actions.

Some participants from the first Mexico trip envisioned a more wide-ranging program which would provide opportunities for Canadians to experience life in developing countries for six months at a time. In 1992-1993, a pilot program was undertaken in the West African Sahel financed by fundraising projects and a grant from Basilian Fathers. The pilot was successful and important contacts were established with West African partners. This program, now based in Ghana, has run every year since the first trip.

India was chosen for a pilot program in 1996-97, the group living and working among the Tamil people in Bangalore in Southern India.

Currently, One World has programs running in Ghana, El Salvador and Mexico and is also working on establishing a pilot program in Ethopia.

During its first years the One World Global Education Program was directed by Fr. Bob Holmes. Responsibility for the program now rests with a diverse, multi-faith community of past participant staff, volunteers, coordinators, and committees committed to the One World philosophy of immersion living and solidarity learning.

Dr. David Abdulai, our first amazing teacher and host in Ghana, continues to meet with our Ghana participants today, sharing his vision for free health care for the poor of Tamale (Northern Ghana).