Comments from 4 Women's Circles

COMMENTS OF 4 WOMEN’S CIRCLES

Paulina Guachiac Guachiac is elated at my opportunity to learn such beautiful things as crocheting, cooking, important health issues, etc. 

XEABAJ I :   Activities were created by the instructor, Matilde Isabel, for the women of Xeabaj I. The group is very thankful for AMA and the knowledge and experiences in which they are being exposed. They learned to make carrot cake, banana cake, figs in honey, layettes, hair bows, basket curls, cake, jelly and bread molds. To show their appreciation and affection for their teacher as well as AMA, they prepared a delicious fair-well lunch.

PACUTAMA:   The women of Pacutamá are active and have a high participation at each meeting.  They are always excited to work with the materials, but especially when they have the opportunity to engage in an unfamiliar project, such as carrot cakes, banana cakes, figs in honey, candles, crochet and embroidery.  This group is light hearted and tells jokes while they work.  They expand their minds with newly acquired information. 

CHIRIJOX:   The brand new group of Chirijox is in the process of organizing and hasn’t accomplished as much as others.  With new groups, promotion of self-esteem is always covered first.  They have demonstrated preparation of tortillas and white gruel.  Now the women have begun layettes and a crocheted sweater. They are very happy for the opportunity to work with AMA. 

CHUICUTAMA:   Isabel Guarchaj Guarchaj had the opportunity to attend a four-day sewing workshop. During the workshop, discussions were held about the philosophy of AMA and what makes AMA’s approach with community groups special.  Upon returning to her village, Isabel helped to explain AMA’s work and the different groups in the area of Ixtahuacán.  Isabel embraces this new idea and explained to her companions, “AMA does not give away things, but gives away knowledge; nothing and no one can take that from us.  When this opportunity to learn comes within our reach and we dedicate our time, its possible to better our lives. If we apply what we’re taught, we can have an existence very different from now.  In the future, we could have money based on these ideas and skills we learned.  We should never say ‘No I can’t’!  Everything is possible when you're ready to learn.  I know that we can gather even more in information in addition to what I was taught in the four day workshop.“  

Isabel is very excited about participation in her community. “At first, my community did not want to work with AMA because AMA does not give gifts. However, we realized that we could learn new activities like making a blouse with crocheted flowers or creating exciting recipes. This made us change not only our opinions, but our way of thinking.  We decided to be a part of AMA and work towards a better future.  All of us are very grateful to AMA for the tremendous patience and allowing us as much time as we needed to make our decision. We are also thankful for the wool provided to each women needed to make the baby layettes. Thank you for giving us this opportunity.” Now, Isabel and the women of Pacutama do not want to miss any opportunities and look forward to working with AMA for a brighter future.