Alumni – Where are they now?

Mischa Barton, former student of St Mary’s College, Crosby

I left St Mary’s College just last summer. While there, I served as the ERI Youth Ambassador, travelled to Geneva with the Edmund Rice Network, and was also a leader on the Edmund Rice Camp. I knew I wanted to become more involved in the opportunities that being part of this amazing worldwide community could offer.

My immersion experience with Justice Desk Africa was truly one of the best chapters of my life. Justice Desk Africa, a human rights NPO based in Cape Town, gave me the incredible opportunity to travel across several provinces and experience South Africa’s rich diversity — its cultures, languages, food, music, and history. The list of what I learned could go on forever.

My time with JDA was a powerful and transformative journey. I began by helping to prepare for the Youth Ambassadors Conference, held at CBC in Stellenbosch. The conference brought together inspiring guest speakers, hands-on activities such as designing personal advocacy campaigns, and educational excursions to significant historical sites, including the District Six Museum.

After the conference, I supported the annual Mandela Day celebrations. At the V&A Waterfront, our stand invited visitors to use their 67 minutes of service to write letters and make bracelets for the young girls joining the Mbokodo Project — a simple but meaningful act of solidarity and welcome.

My immersion also took me on unforgettable road trips through four provinces: the Western and Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Free State. Our goal was to help expand the Ubuntu Rising Initiative, an anti-violence training programme designed to empower young people. What began as a Youth Ambassador Connect event with schools across the Cape Metro soon blossomed into a movement reaching communities in six different provinces.

Amid this meaningful work, there was also time to explore. I visited breathtaking landmarks, relaxed on beautiful beaches, made lifelong friends, and even went on safari. These moments of joy and discovery added to the deep sense of gratitude I feel for this extraordinary opportunity.

I firmly believe that every young person should seize the chance to take part in an immersion experience if it ever comes their way. It is life-changing. I am thrilled to be returning to Justice Desk Africa in December to continue this incredible work alongside truly amazing people.

Mischa Barton.