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Luke Passannante was one of five seniors at Regis High School in Manhattan who went on a service trip this summer to the Kibera slum in Narobi, Kenya. An avid photographer, he documented the volunteer trip through the lens of his camera.
The result of his work is the exhibition “Set the World Aflame,” which focuses on the children and families living in the slum in Narobi. Proceeds from the sale of photographs benefit students of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the Jesuit high school for children of Kibera who have lost one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS.
“The process of creating a gallery has been exciting and rewarding,” Passannante said. “For me, photography not only allows for the sharing of experiences, but it also captures split-second moments previously unseen by the naked eye, offering everyone a new perspective on the scene.”
He was part of a retreat leadership team, which included four other Regis seniors: Kevin Casari, John White, Randy Balletta and Max Dopsch. They were accompanied by assistant principal Kristin Ross, guidance counselor Christine Badi, who is also moderator of the Catalyst Service Club, and Latin teacher Joe Carroll. The 18-day trip took place in XX.
While in Nairobi, the group led two Quest Retreats with the students from the junior class at St. Aloysius Gonzaga—one for boys and one for girls. Retreat preparation was performed in advance via Skype and email with the student and faculty retreat leaders from the Jesuit school in Africa.
During the trip to Kibera, the team also focused on learning about a variety of Jesuit-related community organizations dedicated to issues of social justice and devoted to working with the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. Among other activities, the team celebrated the 10th anniversary of St. Aloysius Gonzaga High School, spent time in the Kibera slum, visited the homes of students, met with administrators at the Jesuit-run center for social justice efforts in East Africa and volunteered at the Nyumbani Orphanage, a Catholic orphanage for HIV-positive children.
"Being a part of this remarkable trip and having the opportunity to share it with others makes it all the more worthwhile," Passannante said. "The experience itself and the photographs taken would not have been possible without the help of family, friends, and the Regis community."
“Set the World Aflame” runs through Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Rye Arts Center, 51 Milton Road in Rye.
