PAZ in contexts of violence

A quick search on the Internet and one can find more than enough reports on the current reality of violence that most of Central America and Mexico are experiencing. Indeed the situation at times seems quite grim, leaving one to wonder just what things like the newly elected ex-military President will bring to Guatemala. While many of the region's cities can be found on various "most dangerous" lists, it was more than fitting that the topic of working at peace in this violent context was the focus of the MCC regional retreat earlier this month. The similarities between the various countries and the struggles that they all seem to share is alarming, causing one to feel that this little part of the world is going down, and going down fast. (Read more here about these difficult issues that connect the North with the South). We of course don't want to live in fear nor scare others with these headlines, but it is always important to be aware and question the root causes of these issues. It is important to remind ourselves that these types of things don't happen alone and that like it or not, we are all far more connected than we think. Take the issue of U.S. gun control and firearm smuggling as an example, something that is explained so well on the MCC Latin America Advocacy blog (Mexican Day of the Dead: Cause of Death?).

So often with these overwhelming and seemingly unsolvable issues, one feels like there is nothing that can be done. And although the discussions that we had at the regional retreat were tough and a bit depressing at times, I still left with a sense of solidarity and reassurance knowing that we're not in this alone. It was hopeful to be reminded of the important work communities and partners are doing to take steps towards sustainable change in the region. It was also timely that this past weekend a Guatemalan campaign called "Break the Cycle" organized an activity in which 10,000 people formed a human chain up the "Agua" volcano outside of Antigua, speaking out against domestic violence and the general "culture of violence" that permeates the country; videos here and here. As a side note, President Otto Perez was also at the event, either looking for good publicity or hopefully truly supporting this call for peace, and I was there when he arrived (like him or not, it was exciting to be 5 feet away from the President).

Another encouraging aspect of all of this is that there are small things that you out there can also do to speak out against violence and work at supporting this same sustainable change; for example, learn about and get involved in the Stop Gun Smuggling campaign here and here. Or consider supporting MCC partners like these in Honduras:
Proyecto Aldea Global
Proyecto MAMA

It's the tradition at the end of the MCC retreat for each team to present a talent of sorts during the famous "Noche de Talentos." Among many other creative and entertaining acts this year, the Honduras team shared the following song from the Honduran artist Polache; a fitting reminder of the need to work towards change, both on a large scale and within each of us.

"Mira Honduras"

May your eyes not be covered
Careful with the corruption and incomprehension
The indifference and delinquency
More and more no one can be found in this nation
Pay attention to this heart song
We have more good here
More those we love, we believe in this land
It is a blessing

Look at Honduras with different eyes
This is your land
I discovered that by looking at it with different eyes you will deserve it
Look at Honduras with different eyes
You have to love it
I discovered that by looking at it with different eyes you will deserve it

May your eyes not be covered
Deforestation and contamination
The poverty, injustice, and vulgarity
More and more no one can be found in this nation
Pay attention to this heart song
The richness, grandness, nobleness is more, and more the beauty
That there is in this land is a blessing

ANADESA Update

Visiting Santiago Atitlan and partnering with the work of ANADESA is something that many of you have done. Many hours have been spent interacting with the children's program, hearing about the history of the armed conflict, Hurricane Stan, and ANADESA's programs, planting trees, cleaning the community school (thinking, when oh when will they actually be able to use the school?!??!), listening to ANADESA's dream of buying their own land and building a community center. Yes, all of these have been things many of you have supported and participated in, with much energy and hope that all of ANADESA's goals can one day be met.

Well, guess what?? Some of these goals seem to be just a bit closer than they were before. It has finally been approved for the community of Panabaj to move back into the old school building, and out of the temporary one that they have been using since 2005. (Those hours you spent repairing the roof, painting the walls, and cleaning out mud actually were worth something!) And what's even more exciting is that ANADESA is now the proud new owner of their own land, right next to the Peace Park in Panabaj!

Thank you to Aaron McGarvey who is working with ANADESA through MCC's SALT program, for the following (and thank you to Roxanne Reimer for the photos):

The passing of the holiday months was a busy but rewarding time for ANADESA. In November, we were fortunate enough to host a candle-making workshop for the women of the village of Panabaj. Tobias Roberts and Yasmin Mendez, fellow MCC Guatemala workers in the town of Nebaj, demonstrated how to melt wax, add color and fragrance, and pour the liquid into molds to dry. Currently, we are working on perfecting the process with the idea of adding candles to the list of artisan, hand-made products that we already make and sell to many of the groups from North America that come to visit us.

The biggest piece of news, however, is our recent acquisition of land. In December, with the help of the Flaman Foundation, ANADESA was able to purchase a plot of land directly next to the Peace Park right here in Panabaj. This is a dream come true for us, as we have been running our entire organization out of a tiny little house office for over 5 years now. What right now is just a bunch of coffee trees will hopefully soon become the new Educational Center and Office of ANADESA. The idea right now is to have our own classrooms where we can support our own educational programs as well as a small meeting/convention center to host groups of visitors. The purchase was the culmination of years of work and planning on behalf of both Juan Ramirez and other leaders of ANADESA, the Flaman Foundation, Irma and Antony Sanchez-Solano (Directors of MCC programs in Guatemala and El Salvador), as well as countless other volunteers that have come and gone in past years. It is an understatement to say that we are excited, and we want to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have helped us get this far as well as ask for your continued support as we begin the planning and construction process.

In short, thanks to our wonderful supporters, ANADESA continues to grow. All of us here hope that you have had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. As for us, we are constantly reminded of all that we have to be thankful for as we look towards the future with eager expectation.