Update from Chiapas, Mexico

One thing about Mexico is time definitely flies. Our group has been here for a little more than two weeks and in hindsight we have learned so much.

We have had the privilege of meeting with members of autonomous, indigenous communities, listened to a presentation by social justice organization Otros Mundos and sat in on a press conference at internationally recognized human rights and advocacy center FRYBA. We were able to explore the programs within the local chapter of Save the Children and paid a visit to non-profit organization Casa de las Flores, which offers a safe place for discriminated street children. We traveled to impoverished communities to experience the process of development projects with Belleville based organization Arthur Frederick Community Builders and have celebrated two birthdays, a bonfire, numerous Mexican Fiestas and participated in day trips outside of the city to local Mexican vacation spots. Today we met with volunteer organization Natate and began our low-labour projects with other international volunteers and had the opportunity to meet with a representative of the Canadian Embassy.

It is the individuals behind each of these specific titles and organizations that have offered us such strong and unique learning opportunities. Each a new perspective on development and support work and each with eye opening stories and experiences to share. The students came here with an expectation of what we would be involved in, and although sometimes difficult to comprehend or hard to face with a smile, each learning opportunity has been an undeniable experience and I have grown as a person and as a professional.

Each day I continue to learn how we, as individuals, have our own ideas and opinions, and we as Canadians are extremely fortunate to share those opinions and to chase those ideas.

As a woman, I have learned I am not only fortunate but privileged to live in a country where my voice, opinion and body are respected.

Here in Mexico I have learned the true meaning of freedom.

Freedom is not to live in fear and oppression. Freedom is diversity and individuality. Freedom is a safe place to start a family and raise your children.

Freedom is equal opportunity to employment and basic life essentials, such as shelter, food and safe drinking water. Freedom is the ability to protest your rights and express societal concerns and stand up for what you believe.

Freedom is the opportunity to education, to learn, to grow and to prosper.

Freedom is beyond the space in which we have to expand our wings. It is the ability to live freely within one self, without fear of consequence or violence.

I live in a country where the building blocks of freedom are considered commodities, in which people take for granted everyday. We are given a voice and we use it to speak of gossip and tabloids, not to defend the rights of marginalized and discriminated peoples.

We have the opportunity to travel, ask questions, develop our minds, and yet we choose to sit in front of a television screen and get lost in the chaos of multimillion-dollar corporations. In the developed world we are in the sense free, but we are choosing to be prisoners of capitalist societies and perpetually secular systems.

Here in Mexico, and around the world, those who have nothing fight for their right to basic essential needs. They fight for equality, liberty, dignity and the right to independence. They stand against oppression and inhuman treatment, often at a dangerous cost.

In Canada many are not aware of the human rights violations and mistreatment towards marginalized people in our own community and country nor are they aware of the role they play in the mistreatment towards our global neighbours. We have the opportunity to speak on behalf of those who cannot and still many choose not to.

If we were to wake up, and global positions were to shift and we were no longer ‘at the top’ – who would have our backs? And would we judge them if they chose not to. Would we cry out to them, get angry or simply understand ‘it is not their problem.’

How would we face these challenges of survival? And if we woke from that dream, do you think we, as Canadians, would do things differently?

I hope so.

And I think it’s time we wake up.