Monday, December 12, 2011

Service Week (a bit less, a bit more)

Every year, MCC Guatemala/El Salvador organizes a Service Week for youth from both countries, offering them an opportunity to learn and serve; kind of a mini-version of what we do with groups from North America. What this "week" really ends up being is 3 days of interacting, learning, and sharing about each others' lives, with a half day of service thrown in for good measure. For many of the youth that participate, it is the first time they have traveled outside of their communities and a unique opportunity to learn about other cultures and traditions within their own country. This year, there were 6 different languages represented between the youth and the MCC workers who participated! It is also an opportunity for these youth to share with each other about the reality of their lives, the work they are doing in their communities, and generally have a good time and inspire each other (and us!) Seeing how motivated and spirited the youth are, how quickly they want to get to know each other, ask questions, laugh, and work together is always impressive; a sign of hope that there are positive things happening in this often difficult context. This year more than others as I observed and spent time with the youth, I was struck with how full of life they are and how much I hope that this spirit of joy and animation can continue to grow in them and their communities. The reality is that often times this can't happen because of the endless complexities and challenges of being a young person in Latin America (see here and here to read more). However, it is encouraging to know that by providing more and more spaces like these days of service, we are doing something, albeit small, to understand the difficult lives these youth are living and to encourage and support them in their processes of change.



this year's event took place in Altaverapaz at Bezaleel School


in addition to working on a painting project, the youth spent time learning about restorative justice and how to incorporate it into their personal lives

visit to lovely park near Carcha


the event ended with a talent show; very funny comic act from youth from Santiago and San Marcos

THANK YOU to Lilian for the fotos

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Women in Leadership


One of the successes of this year's groups has been inviting 1-2 local youth to travel with each group for a portion of their time here. Again and again, both the groups and these youth have commented on the value of these experiences. Providing Guatemalans and El Salvadorians the opportunity to learn about the issues their own countries and communities are facing, and stretching their minds to think outside of the box, is such an important aspect of the work of Connecting Peoples. It was with much excitement that we were also able to schedule a local Learning Tour for women in October, focusing on the different leadership roles of women within the church and various social development projects. We traveled to El Salvador with a group of 9 Guatemalan women, adding another 4 El Salvadorian women to the group once we arrived. The experience of visiting projects in three different communities where women are the primary leaders, hearing of both their struggles and achievements, was very motivational for the group. The exchange was a great success and something we hope to replicate in 2012, focusing on the Connecting Peoples goal of promoting more of these "South-South" exchanges. With the help of funds from groups that come from North America in 2012, we hope to grow a budget to be used for these local Learning Tours.

Mujer Salvadoreña
by Patricia Ferrell



Woman of El Salvador, worker and peasant
I sing to your hand of tenderness and strength
Hands that know so well how to shape tortillas
and how to caress
Hands that work for a new society

Woman of El Salvador, so long suffering and so brave
I sing to your scars, to your tears of war
Tears shed for the children that you lost
Tears that will wash away the suffering of your people

Woman of El Salvador, heart of the homes
I sing to your strength of family and solidarity
Strength of wife and mother,
Strength so loving and brave
Strength of hands united, that grow stronger every day

Woman of El Salvador, woman of faith and hope
I sing to all the women of Chalatanango
The repopulated women are seeds of a future
That we will reach together, with God and hard work.


Once again, we visited the "Promised Land" in San Martin where progress is being made on things like this wall (Enlace 2011)



Visit to Saskatchewan


Yes, it may be hard to believe that I would choose to leave warm Guatemala and travel to Saskatchewan in the middle of November, but I did. And I can say that below-zero temperatures and all, I had a wonderful visit and really enjoyed this place that so many of you Canadians often talk down on! All of us from MCC Guate/El Salvador are so grateful for the opportunity Rosthern Junior College gave us to continue growing the relationship RJC started with MCC more than 10 years ago. As I mentioned while at RJC's annual fundraising banquet, (see here for more news and photos from the night) RJC's commitment to integrating service learning into their curriculum is more than evident and certainly something to be admired. Below is a portion of what I shared with the RJC community while there; a thank you of sorts to RJC and all of you who have supported the work of Connecting Peoples in Guatemala, El Salvador, and beyond.



Unfortunately, Anotny and Irma were not able to accompany me but we hope they will be able to visit Canada in the coming year!


"Time and time again, our partners have expressed how important these types of experiences are for building a sense of hope and solidarity in their communities; when they see that a group of young Canadians are genuinely interested in sharing with them, learning about their daily struggles, working and playing alongside them, they are motivated and encouraged by this authentic show of support. I can’t count the times I have heard a local person say that they cannot believe that these young people are “preocupados” for them; they can’t believe that you are worried or concerned or even interested in their lives. Showing solidarity with a people that has often been forgotten, is huge and the power of that cannot be emphasized enough. Likewise, these cross cultural exchanges allow for the local communities to see the beauty of their own culture and way of living in a new light. So often, especially in the indigenous communities in Guatemala, people have been taught to think that they are not good enough, that their traditions are backwards or of little value, that even the natural beauty in which they live and work is just “normal”, and that in order to really advance in life they have to leave it and search for “better” lives in the cities or outside of their own country. Bringing groups from the North, which still very much represents the land of endless opportunity for many Central Americans, and seeing these groups enjoy the local nature, culture, and traditions, is something that helps the communities to start recognizing their own richness. Many times in the communities of San Marcos, which is one of the most beautiful places I have been, I have heard people tell groups that we probably think their communities and the way they live is “sad”. It’s almost comical to hear because over and over again groups comment on the beauty of these communities, the warm hospitality they find there, and the valuable skills and talents that these communities use to work at improving their lives. Again, these signs of solidarity, respect, and encouragement are invaluable and a concrete example of how Guatemalans themselves are finding beauty in what they sometimes could otherwise consider sad and undesirable.

Lastly, these exchanges help the communities to open their minds and see that there are more sides to North Americans then what past governments, churches, and multinational companies have shown them. The CP program has created a strong relationship with groups across North America, but even more so across Canada; in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and beyond, there is a growing interest to continue connecting with Guatemala. It is clear that a connection between North America and Guatemala has already been forged in a way very different from that of these groups as seen in the presence of Canadian mining companies in the San Marcos region. When visiting that area, I often think not only about this negative impact, but even more so the conversely positive impact that many other Canadians are having there. Instead of causing conflict and environmental damage, the Canadian groups we have worked with are supporting small community initiatives in hopes of creating jobs and sustainable income for people of San Marcos. These groups have supported community cooperatives as they start eco-tourism projects, trout production systems, and small farm centers, all the while just over the mountain, these Canadians' fellow countrymen are working at something all together different and certainly not as sustainable. It is exciting to think about this small, but important way that North Americans are working at building bridges with the people of Guatemala and at changing the way we are often viewed by the world outside of our comfortable North American borders. It gives me hope that these kinds of projects are working at supporting and growing the richness that exists in San Marcos, a kind of wealth that cannot be measured by gold.

Again and again, it has been affirmed that indeed groups’ visits are having a positive affect on our partner communities and the work they are developing. Of course, our continued hope for both these communities and the groups that visit, is that these experiences don’t end after the week or two they spend together. Rather that once back in their normal routine, what they have learned continues to challenge them and that ultimately, changed attitudes turn into visible action; something we hope you have seen in your own students and childrens’ lives. It certainly can be difficult to measure these changed attitudes, which is why visible action and physical change can be so motivating in this work. Having the opportunity to revisit communities allows for us to see and hear about the “emotional” changes, but also the more visible, material changes that continue to happen long after a group helps to start building the foundation of a farm center for example. For many years, RJC funds have helped support projects in many parts of Guatemala and more recently in El Salvador. It is always exciting to see that these funds and the hours groups have spent at what seems to be the thankless work of mixing cement and moving rocks, do turn into real things; preschools, tourist cabins, and co-op centers. These concrete changes keep us and the local communities motivated in the work we are doing, and are a clear sign that the relationship of solidarity RJC continues to build with Guatemala and El Salvador has been successful at creating beauty amidst the pain. It is encouraging to know that we have partners, like RJC, who are committed to continue working at creating this positive change, this beauty, in their students, in their own communities, and in communities far beyond. My hope is that both MCC and RJC continue to value the importance of this and that we remember that we are far beyond being able to say “no” to becoming global citizens. Although we know that there are risks and possible pain involved in taking steps to think and live internationally, and that beauty and brokenness are so very hard to untwine, I encourage all of us to continue to believe that there is great beauty and richness in expanding our horizons and those of others."

2012 Calendar


We are gearing up for a busy first semester here in 2012. We look forward to seeing those of you who are planning to come! If you are interested in organizing a trip, we have space starting in July 2012; contact connecting@guatemala.mcc.org for more information. Click on the links below to read more about each organization's connection to service learning.

February:
Food Resource Bank
Eastern Mennonite University

March:
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate

April:
University of Saskatchewan
Rosthern Junior College

May:
Avila University

Monday, October 3, 2011

Working at peace through the arts

This month we are pleased to highlight another member of the Guatemala/El Salvador MCC team, Lilian Guenther. Like similar projects that are becoming more and more important in the region, Lilian coordinates an arts and recreation program that works at building peace and providing healthy alternatives for individuals from high risk areas. The reality of violence in urban centers around Central America is alarming and discouraging, one that often affects youth the most; more than half of Guatemala's population is between the ages of 18-30 and are often involved, or accused of being involved in crime. Programs like AMAR (see below) and Trasciende (read Guatemala youth transcend violence through hip-hop) are offering creative ways for youth (and adults!) to develop their artistic abilities, an opportunity that is seldom part of their everyday reality.


Lilian (left) with fellow MCC worker, Elizabeth

My name is Lilian Guenther and as of February, 2011, I work with A.M.A.R. (Academia Menonita de Artes y Recreación, which stands for Mennonite Academy of Arts and Recreation) in Guatemala City. A.M.A.R. is a program of the Mennonite Church of Guatemala and is funded by MCC. The main objective of this program is to contr ibute to peacebuilding and the artistic and recreational development in the eight Mennonite churches and their surrounding communities. Together with my co-worker Isabel Garnica, we coordinate the program, look after the administration, direct choir, teach music classes to children, youth and adults, and provide weekly music classes in a pre-school program of one of the churches. At this point AMAR has about 70 students at the two current venues where music classes are offered and 40 students at the pre-school program. The students range in age from 7 to 59 years of age. In the work as coordinators there is never a dull moment as there are always students to encourage, songs to arrange, classes to plan, reports to write, decisions to be made, meetings to attend, and most importantly to connect with students, teachers and parents. I deeply cherish the relationships that have developed over these 7 months of my time with AMAR and I look forward to many more!


Lilian playing the Paraguayan harp


directing a choir that is part of AMAR

In 2012, the Connecting Peoples program hopes to coordinate more with AMAR and other projects of the Mennonite churches in Guatemala City. This could be an exciting opportunity for groups who are interested in connecting with urban youth and learning more about the complex reality here. In addition to AMAR and other projects, the Mennonite churches in the city support a community library that was organized mostly by youth, and a pre-school project that some of you know well. We look forward to what 2012 will bring and welcome groups that are interested in partnering with these projects.

In case you were wondering

just what those long hours of moving cement block, shoveling dirt, and digging holes were for, here is proof that that time and sweat really do turn into something; something(s) that is of great value to the local partners and communities that so many of you have supported over the past few years. It is always exciting to return to places where groups have visited and see the changes that have taken place, something that was very clear when I visited Sibinal in San Marcos earlier this year. Over a year ago, a group of mostly youth from Lombard Mennonite Church in Illinois, visited this area and helped with the construction of an office space for the team that works on various MCC supported food security projects in the region. The group literally spent hours carrying cement blocks up the hill from the road to the construction site, a monotonous and tiring job that one could see as thankless. However, those hundreds of blocks that the group carried were turned into this lovely space that has greatly benefitted the work in Sibinal, a tangible sign that positive changes are happening and that those long hours of work really do pay off!







For a more recent update, here are a few photos from the community bakery that youth in Xevitz, Nebaj are starting, a project that both the Youth Venture and Rockway groups supported this year. In addition to helping with the construction of the bakery's oven, Youth Venture spent a morning sharing new recipes with the youth; rumor has it that the oatmeal banana cookies have been a big hit in the communities!





And in other exciting news, thanks to the connections with MCC workers, Toby and Yasmin, the youth in Nebaj recently had the opportunity to learn how to make pottery, something that could become a source of income for them in the future - very cool!




Tuesday, September 6, 2011

We've got the land

Elizabeth and Enlace in El Salvador

Since the Enlace group recently spent time in El Salvador, we thought it would be the perfect time to highlight another MCC worker, Elizabeth Scambler, who has been working with MCC in El Salvador since 2010. It has been great having Elizabeth as a part of our team and has allowed us to coordinate more group visits to El Salvador, specifically to La Linea in San Martin. Both the Enlace and RJC groups were able to visit San Martin this year and hope to continue strengthening that relationship in the future.

San Martin, and specifically La Linea, is a very difficult place to live and work. Elizabeth "works alongside two different organizations which partner with MCC. One is an NGO based out of San Salvador called ANADES. The other partner is a church, IBCD, situated in a marginalized community (La Linea) about 45 minutes from the capital. With each partner, Elizabeth works alongside their disaster recovery and resettlement projects which are responses to the damage caused by Hurricane Ida in November of 2009." As Elizabeth and her co-worker, Yesenia describe it, "Like much of El Salvador, social violence is an everyday reality. La Linea is associated with a particular gang which exists throughout the country. The main economic activities among community members are working in the informal economy (such as people who work selling in the market or in construction), working in factories, and agriculture. Unemployment in El Salvador, and in particular La Linea, is also a reality. On November 9, 2009, Hurricane Ida hit La Linea. Excessive rainfall created landslides which destroyed houses, buried others, and left other homes hanging off the edge of dangerous cliffs. Since La Linea was no longer inhabitable, everyone had to relocate to a temporary shelter closer to the Panamerican highway. 350 families live in the 5 sectors which continue to collectively refer to themselves as “La Linea.” Since people are illegally squatting, they run the risk of being kicked off this land at any time."

However recently, IBCD and the work they are doing in La Linea has shown some signs of progress; a plot of land where 250 families will relocate has been purchased. Please visit Elizabeth's personal blog to read more about this story and the work she is doing in El Salvador; The end of 30 years of displacement

Enlace's visit to El Salvador included visiting La Linea and supporting the work IBCD is doing there, as well as connecting with the many youth that live in the community; a highlight of the time for sure. The group also visited the area of Perquin and learned about the armed conflict in El Salvador and the church's role during that time. If you are interested in learning more about El Salvador's history, we highly recommend watching Voces Inocentes.


Elizabeth, on left, with past SALTer Katelyn Shank



Enlace, with Elizabeth and Yesenia, waiting out the rain in Perquin

Summer Continued


Another highlight of July and August was hosting and working alongside the Enlace group. It is hard to recap a month's worth of experiences in a few words and images, especially when the group was as dynamic and fun as this one! I have always enjoyed working with Enlace, this being my fourth year to do so. The youth often come with a more intentional attitude and open perspective that fit well with the vision of the Connecting Peoples program here. MCC Ontario explains the program well on their website (see link to the right) and also has a great blog where you can find comments from past Enlace participants. Although I love all our groups, I have to say that this one was quite possibly one of my favorites. After a week of language study with the CASAS program, the group spent their time visiting projects in Santiago Atitlan, San Marcos, and El Salvador, not to mention the many times they frequented Sarita (haha!) Thank you, Enlace, for making me laugh so much and for enriching my experience here yet again.



These are just a few of the images from the group's time in San Marcos; check back soon for more on their time in El Salvador. Also, if you'd like to read more about Enlace's experience here, check out their blog: http://enlace2011.wordpress.com/


finally at the top of the tacana volcano
(second highest point in central america and second enlace group ever to conquer it!)


tourist cabin and trout tanks in la vega, san marcos
(some day the cabin will be finished and you can come stay there!)


one of our amazing cooks and her son hiking tacana
(yes, they prepared two hot meals for us during the all day hike)






during the visit to la vega, the group helped start building 12 bridges that will serve both the community at large and the community cooperative's eco-tourism project

Monday, September 5, 2011

Summer Highlights

Although it is not summertime here in Guatemala, July and August are always busy for the Connecting Peoples program as groups from North America take advantage of their summer breaks to work with the MCC supported projects here. This year was no exception as we hosted back-to-back groups from the U.S. and Canada; a Youth Venture team that is part of Mennonite Mission Network and the Enlace group that comes each year through MCC Ontario.

The Youth Venture group had the opportunity to connect with the work of Toby and Yasmin in the area of Nebaj, Quiche spending time working alongside a group of youth who are hoping to start a community bakery. The group also met with a core group of community leaders who form part of the resistance against the hydroelectric dam that is being built in the region; if you didn't have a chance to read about that in July's update, please visit here. This was the second time this year that we have been able to work with the various groups of youth in Nebaj and again was a very positive experience. Some of you (Rockway!) may recognize a few of the people and places in the photos below.



cob oven and bench created by the youth
click here to read more about this really cool, eco-friendly construction method


entrance to cafe in nebaj (see here for more pictures)



youth making lunch for the group


delicious quesadillas and licuados



baking workshop in xepiun


hike in the mountains near xepiun



starting work on the bakery's oven and seating area



almost finished product; pictures of the completed project coming soon!