A Connection that Continues

One of the joys of this work is seeing relationships build between local communities and visiting groups.  The intensity of these exchanges during the two or so weeks that a group is here can make it seem like these relationships will last forever and continue to make a difference in the lives of all involved, which of course is our hope.  Unfortunately, when a group goes home and gets involved in the busyness of their individual lives, it's hard to know what happens; Just how often do participants think about their time here?  In what ways does their experience continue to impact their daily lives?  Is it possible that people really make changes based on what they have seen and learned here?  I know of course, that people do remain connected to their experience and that is also a part of the joy that comes from this work - the small, yet important reminders that these experiences can and do make a difference in the way people view the world. For example, the periodic emails and quick messages I receive, like a recent request from a student asking me for more information on the mining issue here for a paper she has to write for a university course, or a group of students who did interviews while in El Salvador regarding the reality of youth and violence and then turned them in to an interactive (and awesome!) presentation for their high school.  OR the amazing group of University of Saskatchewan education students who in the past months have done some really exciting things to keep their connection to Guatemala alive.

During their visit in April, a number of U of S students were inspired by the work of ANADESA in Santiago Atitlan.  Two such students went home and a number of months later, organized a fundraising event at a local restaurant where they raised more than $1,000 to support ANADESA's building project.  Another student from the same group decided to use the children's program at ANADESA as a way to teach her own students about the life and culture of a community in another part of the world.  For the past couple of months the students from Canada have been exchanging letters and pictures with the children from ANADESA, sharing about their communities, their traditions, and even participting in similar events thousands of miles apart.  After the ANADESA program celebrated Children's Day with their students, the teacher from Canada decided to copy the idea and organized a similar celebration for her students.  Really what a fun and important way to keep these connections alive and growing - finding ways to integrate one's experience into his/her daily life once back home, and in doing so, teaching others to think beyond their own borders.  As the teacher expressed in the first letter to ANADESA, "Your resilient community left a huge impact on me and I would love to come  back one day.  I want to teach my students everything I can from my experiences in Guatemala.  I  loved being in your community and a part of your lives so I want to share it with everyone I meet.  What a better way to share than to teach about it and have my students learn about a community through you."

A big thank you to the U of S group and all of you, who have not only decided to connect to the work and lives of people in Guatemala and El Salvador by visiting here, but who have taken that connection home and made it real in your own communities!  

University of Saskatchewan group with the ANADESA children's program

 The "Children's Day" celebration with ANADESA where the children played games, enjoyed a special snack, and talked about the rights of children

 

The Canadian version of "Children's Day" where the students also talked about children's rights and tried their hand at making tortillas and weaving Canadian style

Thank you to Pati and Brittany for the photos!