Origins and History

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. 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 encountered some of the realities of a developing nation not far from Canadian borders. The group called it “One World” because they wanted to explore the interconnectedness of their lives with those of the economic poor in the so-called Third World. The summer Mexico program is now an annual event.

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.

A pilot program in Central America was launched in 1994-95 with the group traveling on the One World bus through Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras on their way to immersion living and solidarity work in Nicaragua. The groups now fly to Central America.

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, the program is in northern India. One World is also working on establishing a pilot program in Kenya.

During its first years the One World Global Education Program was directed by Fr. Bob Holmes. Responsibility for the program now rests with a community of volunteers, coordinators, and working groups committed to the One World philosophy of immersion living and solidarity learning.