VirginiaLouiseJones - Guatemala2014- Blog

Day 17 - We are coming home !

Thu, 19 Jun 2014 14:04:44 GMT

As the GRACE project 2014 trip to Guatemala draws to a close it's time to make sure we say thank you. First, of course, to Dr. Genelle Grant whose tireless commitment to social justice is a guiding light to so many here in Guatemala and in the United States.

The team thanks Gloria Catalan in Santa Elena and Rita Chajil de Sicay in San Lucas Toliman for making the arrangements for the workshop spaces, food and supplies. Thanks to the facilitators who were all talented and well informed and fun. Thanks to all those working in the hotels and restaurants and kitchens who kept us comfortable and well-fed and the drivers who got us where we were going safely. I personally thank Genelle and Linda for being great traveling companions and very special friends. I thank all of you who helped in the preparation and with financial support. Thanks to the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva and The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Myers for your continued support that makes the work of GRACE possible. And finally thanks to our followers who travelled with us day by day. Many of you we will see soon. It was - once again - an unforgettable journey.

Thanks Rita !

Thanks Gloria!

Below is a slide show of the photographs that don't fit elsewhere.

Day 15 - Campaign to protect children - a postive

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 14:55:47 GMT

As I write we are beginning our last full day in Guatemala. It will be a day of packing, shopping, wandering and savoring.

So today's post will be a reflection on the national campaign to protect children. In airports and other public places one is greeted with these signs in both English and Spanish. They are VERY visible and that certainly can be considered a positive. One day walking the road in El Remate we came upon the sight below. A gathering of school children led by government officials. There were the signs which were being presented and explained to the students. They were then asked to stand - raise their hands and to pledge to protect themselves and other children.

This national campaign and our Leyes Para la Paz (Laws for Peace) program including the 5000 cards that are now dispersed through schools, offices and homes in Guatemala complement each other. Laws for Peace goes many steps further to include the right to family planning, the right to safety from child abuse both sexual and physical and the right to sexual and physical safety in general and the right to equality of husband and wife in a marriage. Anna Rodrigez worked with the government to get these laws passed. A number of our facilitators were not aware that the laws existed !! We have been asked and I will provide the file for the rack cards so that more can be printed here in Guatemala. The laws will be downloadable in English and Spanish at www.LeyesParalaPaz.com and www.LawsForPeace.com

These campaigns will impact so many women, men and children. Progress !

Click here to read the laws

Day 14 - Earthquakes and cooking

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 04:08:30 GMT

Monday the day started at 4:03 am with the bed shaking - the picture on the left shows us at the purple dot. The yellow dot was the earthquake we felt on Friday am and the orange on Monday. My reaction was to get up, put on my jeans, find my bag with passport, money and a flash light and get back in bed to experience the experience. Genelle said she thought about how the building had withstood many worse earthquakes with no damage.
Monday was a travel to La Antigua day and a shopping day. We are back in the very familar San Jorge (yes George ) Hotel in La Antigua.

Now I'd like to take the opportunity to write about cooking. Each time we had a workshop, there was a morning snack and lunch that was prepared at the site. At the location of our second workshop in El Remate, I got to observe the women cooking from the very beginning. I was struck once again with the similarities around the world - this time between groups of woman preparing a meal for a large group of people. I was reminded of the women in Malaysia preparing the wedding feast. Both meal creations appeared carefully and strategically choreographed with the dancers easily moving around each other - anticipating each others needs and next steps while sometimes talking, laughing or keeping silent. In each case it was beautiful to observe.

Permanent fire pit - blocks at end can be removed or replaced to vary air flow. Fire is started with plastic soda or water bottles and plastic shopping bags that the chicken was brought in.

Right: Mid morning snacks for 60 - pouches containing vegetables topped with cheese.
Below: At the end of the day we gave each of the women a sewing kit that had been donated by Zontians. They did a great job.

First step vegetables are roasted in a flat wok like pan. They'll be used as the base of an incredible pepian sauce for the pollo at lunch.

Day 13 - a day of Rest and Relaxation at Las Fuentes Georginas - hot springs that eminate from the Zunil volcano.

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 03:06:21 GMT

An 8 km climb up the volcano - past some of the most fertile fields I have ever seen. Men, women and children harvesting carrots, beets, cabbages, onions. We were told the people we saw were working their own land and that much of the produce is sent to Honduras and Costa Rica. They work on Sunday because the vegetables are trucked out on Monday. There were also large fields of gorgeous deep pink long stem chrysanthemums. I did not take my camera with me so the photos are either from the web or Linda's camera.

Day 12 - last workshop Totonicapon

Sat, 14 Jun 2014 13:16:19 GMT

We were well prepared for the last of four 2014 Women's Health workshops as we waited outside our hotel for two taxis.
In good spirits- with the ubiquitous Zonta bags we were ready to work.

And later it was time to say good-bye. We sent Vilma off with supplies for more workshops and Amilcar and Gaby with books and puzzles for the school they started in their back yard to help children read.

G & G & L set off for Xela - Quetzeltenango.

Waiting for the teachers to arrive.

One of two large murals in the main hall of the high school where we would have had the workshop. Interesting image to see everyday!

Day 11 - Workshop San Francisco Alto

Fri, 13 Jun 2014 21:27:48 GMT

The day, Friday 13th starts off in a frustrating way as our driver arrives late. As happens each day we do a workshop we pile all the supplies and us into the van hoping to arrive by 7:30 am when the event starts. As we approach San Francisco Alto ( a village at the top of the hill (mountain) we find out that because it is a major market day we have to carry everything in from about .5 mile away through the stalls and throngs of people - uphill in altitude we are not used to on cobble stone paths - sometimes not being able to move without shoving- sometimes losing sight of each other. It would have been an incredible sight but unfortunatelynot a time or place for photographs. Although Wikepedia says that the market is a tourist destination we are the only non-Maya people that I saw in the market all day.

The workshop followed the same format of the other two but with different facilitators. Starting with relaxing stress reduction exercises, self - esteem discussion and exercises, family planning techniques and family size experience, ending with a discussion of the human rights laws using the Leyes Para la Paz cards.

During the break Linda and I decided to take a look around the market. This particular market is where artisans from the countryside bring their textile creations which are sold (sort of wholesale) to buyers who then resale them at shops elsewhere.

I first noticed no one tried to sell us anything. Then I noticed that they did not look at us at all- either with curiosity or hostility. In other places if you glance backwards you can catch someone's eyes just before they glance away, smile or glare. But today - we were completely invisible. It was spooky because we do not blend-in in any way. It was just very very different.

Day 10 - Travel from La Antigua to Totonicapan

Fri, 13 Jun 2014 03:23:36 GMT

Amilcar, his daughter Gaby, Genelle, Linda and Gini were happy to see driver Miquel whom we knew from last year show up to take us to the new town where none of us have been before. There were problems with the reservation and the money that had been wired and the number of rooms when we arrived at Hotel Maya Kiche. Fortunately that was all worked out - well sort of. Linda and I roomed together and that was fun.

Day 9 - In La Antigua - getting ready for two more worshops

Thu, 12 Jun 2014 02:20:03 GMT

Tomorrow we head out of La Antigua for Totonicapan. North - about 10 degrees cooler again. There Genelle will do another facilitator training tomorrow and two more workshops on Friday and Saturday. None of us have been to these towns so it will be new territory.

We are not sure about the internet access.

Today, Wednesday, we sorted the last of the donated supplies and counted out the "fertility" bracelets.

Day 8 1/2 Law student, Gaby reporting on her progress

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 04:46:10 GMT

A year ago we were all introduced to Gaby whose dream it is to go complete law school. Thanks to many of you who have supported her she is finishing her first term. She is the only indigenous person in her class of 60 students and is only the second in the history of the law school of San Carlos University.

Gaby also has found time to play on a flag football team called the Gladiators. She has already made an impact in her village because of her studies - helping villagers, especially woman know how to exercise their legal rights. She is very excited about using the Leyes Para la Paz cards to help inform other students and the faculty about the human rights laws. We sent her off with many Zonta bags full of supplies. !

We are so very proud of this young woman!

Gaby took Leyes Para la Paz cards to give to her professors at law school. She plans to do a workshop for other students.

Every quetzal accounted for.

Day 8 travel day from Flores to Guatemala City to la Antingua

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 04:01:22 GMT

On the road from Guatemala City

Woven Huipil - a blouse like garment worn by Maya women here for sale.

Driving into La Antigua. Volcano in the background.

Linda relaxing at Hotel San Jorge

Day 7 - A catch up day at La Casa de Don David - the last day in El Remate.

Tue, 10 Jun 2014 00:06:42 GMT

Genelle y Linda relaxing after breakfast

It's been a very hot and very humid week in El Remate - the north eastern part of Guatemala. I mean hot and humid like it NEVER gets in Florida.
The state of Peten is bordered on the west by Mexico and east by Belize. Tomorrow at 8 am we take a smallish prop plane to Guatemala City and then a van to La Antigua. The rest of our trip will be short stays - 2 nights, 2 nights, 2 nights, 3 nights. It's been nice to be in one hotel for 7 days. La Casa De Don David is a special place with special people - some of whom we remember from last year.

Genelle ready to deliver gift bags from us...

Sara - thank you.

Day 6 - Gini's 65th birthday

Sun, 08 Jun 2014 22:07:27 GMT

Birthday one! Cheesecake from Genelle y Linda

Over 48 hours of birthday celebrations stating with dinner on the 7th with Genelle, Linda, Vilma, Nicholasa, and Sotero. The next day we visited Gloria, Victor, Victor Jr and Lucy at their country home - wine - guacamole with radishes! -chicken with spicy rub, eggplant and A CAKE with candles. We also had a swim in a huge, crystal clear community pool. Today the 7th David Kuhn - hotel owner sent a cake with balloons and music down to the lake on the Tucan express AND sent off a heart into the sky. WOW!!!!! Thanks to all my new friends for a very special day. And thanks to all my stateside friends and family for well wishes on FACEBOOK, email, texts and phone. It's fun to be special for a day!

Day 5 - Tikal - Genelle, Linda, Gini, Vilma Morales and parents

Sun, 08 Jun 2014 14:32:57 GMT

El Remate, where we have been staying since we arrived last Tuesday, is only 45 minutes away from the Mayan ruins at Tikal.
For our visit there this year we were joined by very special Maya friends. Those of you who followed us last year, and a few of you who met Vilma when she visited the United States in December will remember she is one of the GRACE facilitators trained by Genelle in Guatemala. She, along with her parents, Sotero y Nicolasa, travelled by bus overnight to join us for our visit to this very special place. Because it was raining most of the day - Linda took most of these photos. One of the biggest treats was a sighting of howler monkeys. It's not a great video but the sound is really startling. For all of us it was a very special day. Last night at dinner Vilma's mother shared with us her regret that she could neither read nor write. When she was a small child and wanted to go to school she was prevented from leaving the house. When Vilma, her 4th child wanted to be educated both Sotero y Nicolasa worked hard to make that happen. As they are Maya, it was an honor to be with them and Vilma on their first visit to this holy site. On my birthday eve - we celebrated being together - more on Sunday.

Day 4 - Workshop in El Remate - a repeat but different!

Sat, 07 Jun 2014 02:59:15 GMT

An incredible workshop - great curriculum (Genelle) and great Facilitators and very receptive educators and community leaders. Thanks to all of them it was a photographer;s dream day. Once again I was proud to see the part the bracelets and Leyes Para la Paz rack cards played in making the day. Hover over a photo to see the caption. Will post more on this day tomorrow. Need to sleep. Early am we leave for a day at Tikal.

proudly displaying their bracelets!

Nelson introducing Fertility bracelets

Nelson and Linda Ora demonstrating condom use on a wooden penis

A group illustrating the right to family planning

Reading Leyes Para la Paz - 5 human rights laws

a group presenting a law to the rest of the group

Day 3 - afternoon - Family Planning - including fertility bracelets made by us in Florida!

Fri, 06 Jun 2014 02:44:00 GMT

Nelson introduces "family planning" methods.

The almost 1500 beaded bracelets were created by members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Myers, the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva and our project partners GRACE in the US and Salus Care and numerous friends. It is an emotional moment for me when these are first passed out in a workshop. I see the potential impact of all your work. I want to tell them how special you all are and I want you to experience how eager they are to learn.

Day 3 - Santa Elena educators workshop by Ministry of education - AM - Self-esteem and Stress reduction

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 17:31:41 GMT

Idida asks "who looks like Barbie or any super hero? Do you? "

Attending the workshop in Santa Elena, the capital of the state of Peten, were over 40 educators.

A significant part of the morning presented experiences to enhance self- esteem and reduce the effects of stress.

This poem by Virginia Satir was read by a participant.

Linda Aura Ruano presents a gift that is passed around. When the participant looks in the box they see themselves in a mirror.

Student draws with her left hand to use a different part of her brain.

Self-Esteem
by Virginia Satir
I AM ME
In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me
Everything that comes out of me is authentically me
Because I alone chose it - I own everything about me
My body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions,
Whether they be to others or to myself - I own my fanatasies,
My dreams, my hopes, my fears - I own all my triumphs and
Successes, all my failures and mistakes Because I own all of
Me, I can become intimately acquainted with me - by so doing
I can love me and be friendly with me in all my parts - I know
There are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other
Aspects that I do not know - but as long as I am
Friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously
And hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles
And for ways to find out more about me - However I
Look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever
I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically
Me - If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought
And felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is
Unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that
Which I discarded - I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do
I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be
Productive to make sense and order out of the world of
People and things outside of me - I own me, and
therefore I can engineer me - I am me and
I AM OKAY
© 1970, 1975 by Virginia Satir.

Day 2 - El Relmate, Peten - Facilitator training

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 02:34:21 GMT

Our first morning was spent sorting materials and "fertility bracelets" into bags some of which were donated by Zonta. Then in the rain, we drove 30 minutes to a restaurant in Santa Elena for the first facilitators training.

Genelle introduces the Leyes Para la Paz rack card.

Day 1 leaving the comfort zone - travel

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 17:03:49 GMT

Business class - one of the best meals I have ever had!!!

My traveling companion, Linda.

Our leader resting for tomorrow. We have a waiting room to ourselves.

Day 1 - leaving comfort zone

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 12:52:33 GMT

Hola

It's the first day of the GRACE trip. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva I am traveling with THREE fifty pound suitcases( over 1000 "fertility bracelets") and a 20 lb carry-on back pack.

Thanks to the Murrays from the UU church of ft Myers for the vouchers that cover my flight!!

I am traveling to Guatemala City by myself and will arrive before Genelle and Linda. I am experiencing that complicated mixture of emotion - fear and excitement.

I'll post tonight when we arrive.