Solidarity in Times of Trouble

SOLIDARITY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

(COMMUNITIES OF NUEVA SANTA CATARINA IXTAHUACÁN AND NAHUALÁ)

Saturday September 4, 2010, tragedy struck Pan American Hwy at kilometer 171;  located just two kilometers from the municipality of Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán, Sololá.  At about 1:00pm, from a height of one kilometer, a landslide swept down the mountain.  Awaiting below were 15 cars full of unsuspecting passengers. A radio station made an announced concerning those caught in the wake of the landslide and soon afterwards, altruistic inhabitants from nearby villages saute to liberate the engulfed.   After toiling for many hours and had nearly completed clearing the road, another landslide around enveloped them all.  Approximately two hundred people were buried, and when found, were in a great deal of pain but scarcely had any serious injuries.  Most are experiencing broken bones, wounds and muscle pain.  While some were taken to hospitals in Sololá, Totonicapán and the Nahualá Health Center, many proceeded to the health center of Ixtahuacán.  Without doubt, the most sobering aspect is the loss of 25 valiant lives belonging to Nuevo Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán and Nahualá.  Willing placing their lives in danger, they participated in the ultimate act of solidarity.  Twelve members of Ixtahuacán gave their lives (6-Capital Municipal, 1-Chuicutama, 2-Pacutama, 2-Chajuab and 1-Pacoral I). The municipality of Nahualá lost 13 townsmen. (5-Chiquix and 5-Paraxquim). 

DEATHS OF THE MUNICIPAL NUEVA SANTA CATARINA IXTAHUACÁN

Our Women’s Circle Coordinator, Catarina Tuy, is from one of the affected communities, Municipal Capital.  Of her six fellow community members that were killed, two were a father and a son.  Both men are leaving behind wives and children. Four children of the father (2 daughters and 2 sons) and two very young children of the son (1 girl and 1 boy) will now grow up without the companionship of their fathers.  Adding insult to injury, this family is currently living in extreme poverty.  Another impoverished family lost a son (with 2 children) and a son-in-law as well. The son-in-law will not see the childhood of his baby boy and the birth of his second child.  He became the head of the family after a similar situation robbed them of his father four years ago.  Needless to say, this has been exceedingly difficult for all members of this family.  A third family lost a child, which is arguably the worst possible experience for a parent.  He was 15 years old and was undoubtedly dedicated to the service of others, even serving as an acolyte in his church. His family describes his excellence and abilities of overcoming misfortune.  As a child, he had walking difficulties, but through parental dedication, Walfrid, at age 6, gained this ability.  In addition to the inauspicious erosion of families, an older gentleman was also killed.  He was well known in the town and reported to always being in solidarity and with his neighbors.

Nicolás López Guarchaj, from the community of Chuicutama, was a member of COCODE.  He was a beloved leader of the area who served in a variety of ways for the public.  He is survived by his parents, Antonio López and Catherine Tzaput Guarchaj y Guarchaj.

There were two men from the community of Pacutama who died, Domingo Tzaput Guarchaj and Miguel Vicente Guachiac Chivalán.  Domingo was married to Dona Manuela Guachiac Guachiac. They have two sons and one daughter, all of whom are very young. Doña Manuela is participating in a Women's Circle and is being trained as a health promoter.  Domingo was an important leader within the Catholic Church due to his role as “Extraordinary Minister of Communion”.  Miguel Chivalán was 17 years old. His mother is unfortunately deceased, leaving his father, Don Juan Guachiac y Guachiac, with six children.

In the community of Chajuab, David Dionisio Ajú Och and Manuel Esquipulas were the victims of chance.  David, the brother of Diego Ajú Och was married with one young child.  Manuel Esquipulas was married to Antonia Rajpop; they had six children. Manuel was the Chajuab president of COCODE and his parents are Manuel Ajú and Isabela Yaxon.  

INJURIES OF THE MUNICIPAL NUEVA SANTA CATARINA IXTAHUACÁN 

Antonio Guarchaj y Guarchaj is the Chuicutama president of COCODE and the husband of Dona Manuela Morales Guachiac.  Antonio Guarchaj was in serious condition Thursday morning and unable to visit the hospital for a lack of financial resources.  However, in the afternoon he had been attended to by “Vivamos Mejor” program, a healthcare organization.  Don Antonio went to the hospital Wednesday and has responded very well.  He lacks any serious impairment but does have a sharp stomach pain most likely due to his harsh excavation. 

Miguel and Manuel Guachiac from Pacutama received blows to their heads and are in a lot of pain.  Diego Tzaput Carrillo, also from Pacutama, has contusions and large amounts of pain. They unfortunately did not received medical assistance until Wednesday when “Vivamos Mejor” arrived.

In the community of Xeabaj I, no one was injured while giving aid. However, a couple was buried when returning from Xela. Luckily, Manuel Sohom Guachiac and Pascuala Guachiac y Guachiac were retrieved alive and only experiencing somewhat mild injuries; a fractured ankle a fractured shoulder respectively.

Most of these families support themselves by growing beans, corn and other crops.  We have reports that after the torrential rains that some areas have no viable crops. “From Thursday to Tuesday we have been unable to work.  Beans and corn are our main source of income, but now all the beans and most of the corn has been destroyed.”  The survivors who are in good health have came to request medical assistance for the injured, as many can not afford to visit a hospital or purchase the proper medicines for pains, infections, etc.  Their compassion not only for neighbors but for strangers caught on the highway is a portrayal of civilized sophistication.  The connections they feel with others is something we should all strive to achieve.  Guadeloupe Blevins, co-founder of AMA and HSP shares that, “not only is AMA an organization of action, we are a group that will support the spiritual and emotional needs of these communities.  These collectives are remarkable; they have a rare humanistic elegance which exemplifies beauty.  LOVE IS REAL and this IS our moment to help!”

Data and picture were submitted by Catarina de Jesus Tuy

Translated and written by Cater Davis

MAP and kitchen construction in Nuevo Amanecer

The school of Nuevo Amanecer is getting a new kitchen so the
children can have nutritious lunches! Currently their food is cooked over
 a fire down hill from the classrooms. (Taken July 2010)

Don Juan is a community leader that helps us with volunteer
groups.  He is our awesome mason!

At the same school (and many others) we promote a program called MAP (Mayan Arts Program).  In August we had two volunteers from Richmond Virginia teach creative strategies for teachers to use in their classrooms.  The education system does not promote creative thinking or analyzation; only regurgitation.

Stove Building

Leveling the floor and placing the first row of cinder blocks.

Lupe showing how to do the next step, filling with sand
 and putting the special fire bricks in.

Don Juan are WONDRERFUL mason is showing how
 to place the door.

This is a photo of the stoves given by the Guatemalan
 government.  They are obviously very small and have lots
of exposed metal parts (especially bad for children).  She is
only able to cook one thing at a time on this stove and
when on open pits, which are still widely used.

Check out the chimney. Now smoke will not fill the house
making it difficult to see and breath.  Also, our stoves will not
be a  health risk; forcing them to seek medical attention.

ITS BEAUTIFUL!!!

Photos from the community of Chik'isis

USAID actually being useful. (the bags are
being used for house walls )

Taken from my first community visit. Chik'isis is between
 10,236-10,367 ft above sea level. (Walking around was a chore)

Chik'isis schoo

First volunteer group of the summer with the families that
received stoves. They were from Tarrytown TX.

Located at a school near Chik'isis.

Stephanie and I had company while we waited for the
group to show up.  Only a few spoke Spanish,  but all spoke
Kiche, an indigenous Mayan language.  We ended up having a
"soccer game" but really it was "lets make fun of the white people
who can't breath up here game".   :)

We ended up playing soccer...  :)  

They really wanted their pictures taken! :)

Creating A Culture of Independence in Guatemala

Creating A Culture of Independence in Guatemala

In 1954 a military dictatorship overthrew the democratically elected progressive government in Guatemala.  The country has had a long history of repression of reformist movements and a population living under an authoritarian and clientelistic system.  An estimated 200,000, mostly indigenous, died in the civil war that ended in 1996.  Because of this history, the competition for resources is high and as a result, this can have negative effects on reciprocity and building cohesive groups.

Guatemalan economic, political, and cultural change has for many years been affected by the actions of powerful states and firms in the developed countries, especially the United States.  The United States’ economic exploitation and political domination has helped generate the current social and political structure of Guatemala; that which is of a corrupt Guatemalan government and a 36 year civil war. These have, in part, resulted in a mentality of dependence in Guatemalan culture.  People are not encouraged to provide for themselves but instead rely on programs such as “BLAH” , which can serve as a bandage but does not seem to offer any real solutions.

In the years during the war, communities lost their land, possessions and legal rights.  Systemic disenfranchisement and oppression are unfortunately still parts of Guatemalan society.  When extreme disadvantagement is experienced, expectations, along with self-esteem, will often be diminished.  One example of this can be seen in the faces of Guatemalan women who are often rendered incapable of performing skilled labor or engaging in social interactions.  Guatemala has

sufficient resources, capital, and motivation to provide for itself what is currently provided in the form of handouts. For example, a system in which welfare is valued over infrastructure creates a situation in which unforeseen events, such as the recent mudslides, can completely devastate entire families’ incomes, and thusly entire families altogether. As such, dysfunctional societies are not only inefficient but are a waste of human potential.

Most internal and external institutions help by giving hand-outs such as money, food, etc.  This kind of aid relieves the immediate suffering, serves short-term goals exclusively, and is usually provided by groups that play very direct roles.  This non-participatory approach contributes to a mentality of dependence on others to provide, perpetuates top-down values, and harms attempts at structural change.  AMA principles endorse the prevention or elimination of poverty by empowering people to help themselves and each other.

Providing aid without any change in governmental, societal, or cultural structures is a disservice to everyone.  Creating cultures of dependence is not only unhealthy and unfair to the recipients, but also unsustainable.  Once the funds stop flowing, progress deteriorates.  However, providing opportunities for self improvement and giving encouragement has proven to be a successful model for permanent social transformations.

AMA approaches sustainability through five avenues: Women’s Circles, Pixan (handicrafts), MAP (Mayan Arts Program), Health, and Stove Building/Reforestation.  Those at AMA had a wonderfully successful summer! With 215 volunteers we built 156 stoves, planted 1560 trees, and had several influential workshops/trainings.  

(

Isabel and Joan making place mats)

AMA includes a wide range of different ages, levels of skill, education, and economic statuses.  In August, AMA had a workshop for women to learn different sewing skills (i.e. basic sewing, quilting, using a sewing machine, etc).  Two superb volunteers taught a workshop for a group of 9 women with somewhat varied levels of experience and skill. Some had never used a machine and others were already talented seamstresses wanting to further their knowledge. 

Trainings like this, are very influential, not only because of the cultural exchange, but because of the increase in self-confidence. It truly is a delightful rarity to learn artistry from North American volunteers.  The trainings also support AMA’s devotion to sustainability, allowing participants to return to their communities and share new skills.  Advancing skills like these gives participants a way to support themselves financially.

Short discussions were had every morning involving concepts of dependency and the increased benefits of furthering one’s skills and knowledge instead of directly relying on other entities for advancement.  Group discussions are also a great way of promoting confidence.  Women’s groups create spaces of safety and promote transformation.  Encouraging women from different backgrounds to support one another develops a sense of camaraderie and sisterhood.  When people work together and are supportive of one another, advancement occurs at a much more efficient pace.

Strong networks of civic engagement are essential to superior economic performance, protection of common resources, sharing information, and reducing transaction costs.  Civic participation is also an important aspect of AMA ideology (involvement in communities, groups, schools, etc).  Women of AMA are urged to look for ways to give back to their communities and to create positive environments where learning and empowerment are encouraged.  We strengthen communities to build connections in order to mobilize local resources and direct energies toward future problem solving.  This will result in more effective programming, implementation, and significant long-term change. 

Attendants of the sewing workshop were incredibly proud of themselves and each other.  Everyone cooperated and shared in the achievements of others.  The joy on their faces and the gratitude for AMA staff and volunteers was absolutely apparent.  A participant named Juana stated, “I currently am experiencing joy and sadness.  I’m overjoyed at this rare opportunity I was so fortunate to experience this week, but sad because I now have to say goodbye.  This is something I will never forget.  From my heart, thank you.”

There are multiple approaches and agendas for reducing poverty, but we’ve found strategies based on capacity building, advocacy, and incentives to collective action to produce a lasting change. Those concerned with breaking the cycle of poverty are starting to challenge the prevailing and parochial assumptions about aid and are learning ways to instigate REAL change.  Guatemalans are not fragile individuals, incapable of overcoming their circumstances.  Alleviation of the effects of poverty on indigenous Guatemalan communities can happen by providing support, opportunities, and training geared toward independence.  Human beings, when given the chance, are capable of creating prosperity and a life ripe with dignity and respect for themselves and others.

(Group photo last day, after certificates

and gifts had been exchanged)

Strange Encounters with Another Land (First photos)

Taken May 2010:

Guatemala photos on the 4 hour ride from the airport.  (Guatemala City to Quetzaltenango)

Beautiful Guatemala

While driving we pass places where huge chunks
 of the mountain are missing from mining.

Farm land

Mountains of Guatemala

More farming