- Think G l o c a l -

Remembering Visit with Chair of Toronto Star

2012-01-12T06:27:00.000-08:00

From left: Michelle Newlands (me!), Mr. John Honderich, Sandra Ferrari and Cheryl Oates.

Withhigh standards, Journalists for Human Rights brought chair of theToronto Star Mr. John Honderich to Ghana. During his ten day visit, Mr. Honderich lived with us.

By 'us', I mean three of four jhr trainers in Accra, and all ladies. For the first three months of our stay we didn't have flowing water, which meant everything we did was done by retrieving buckets of water from an outside polytank and filling a smaller tank inside.

Upon Mr. Honderich's arrival, wehad finally negotiated with our landlandy, or Auntie, to let us fix the waterpump. Yes, all of this time it was an easy fix but it was convincing our landlady to let us which was a struggle. She says she wanted us to experience 'real Ghana' and not all Ghanaian's have access to running water.

Fair enough.

So, we managed to fix the tank the day before the grand arrival and we would soon have running water for the first timein three months. But not quite yet!

Whatthis meant, was for the first few days of Mr. Honderich's visit he had to endure the enticing process of bucketshowers at the jhr residence.

In addition, he ate Talapia with hishand, shopped on Oxford Street, met with students at the AUCC, worked with local journalists and editorial staff at Ghana's largest independent newspaper and spendevery evening on the front porch catching up on dailyevents.

Itwas an incredible opportunity to share an experience with such an acclaimed mediaprofessional and show him a littlebit about our lives in Ghana.

Thanks for the visit, and thanks for being great!

To read a blog of John Honderich's visit in Ghana visit JHR's Field Notes blog or click here.

To read a column on gay rights written by Mr. Honderich during his visit click here.http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1088441

Faces of Prestea - Impacts of Mining

2012-01-10T04:33:00.000-08:00

A JHR-AUCC Rights Media Production

Overthe course of the past six months, members of the Journalists for Human Rights student chapter at the African University College of Communications have worked tirelessly to organize the productionof a multimedia project highlighting impacts of mining in Ghana's Western Region.

The mutltimedia project titled Faces of Prestea, tells the stories of members living within the mining community of Prestea and is meant to serve as an opportunity for those being effected to express themselves to the greater public.

Theprocess was vigorous and included advanced fieldwork, four-weeks ofpreparatory workshops, endless organization, a seven hour bus ride, four days fieldwork with30 students, three weeks of post-productionand a community launch.

Allparticipants worked extremely hard to successfully complete thisproject in order to bring to light the experiences and concerns of thoseliving within Prestea.

As mining continues to be a growing industrywithin Ghana and around the world, it is important citizens become educated in the development of the industry and participate in dialogue withstakeholders to establish and maintain safe and ethical practice.

Featured above, is the 23 minute video documentary created by JHR chapter members at the AUCC in Accra, Ghana.

For those interested in learning more, I encourage you to check out the JHR-AUCC Rights Media blog at http://jhrauccrightsmedia.wordpress.com/

Nzulezo - the village on stilts

2012-01-10T00:43:00.000-08:00

Our guesthouse in Nzulezo.

Inearly December, I travelled west of Accra for some seven hours insearch of a village of stilts. I had seen photos, read articles,heard stories, but nothing compared to the actual experience ofsleeping in a remote village held up solely by wooden stilts.

Likeall of our weekend getaways, this too was filled with adventure. Forthe first time we decided to stray away from tro-tro travel andinvest in renting a car. Although the price was a steep, we decidedto go ahead and spoil ourselves.

Turnsout our decision worked in our favour, as we've been told the area isextremely difficult, and expensive, to get to. You have to takeapproximately three different tro-tros plus a taxi that can cost upto 80 Cedis. Plus we got to come and go as we pleased, stop wheneverwe wanted to AND sing aloud and be silly.

Basedon all instances mentioned above, we didn't reach Beyin, the townclosest to Nzulezo on land, until evening. It was already dark and ofcourse, the only accessible accommodations were overpriced resorts.One of which had no vacancy anyhow.

Onemore thing I love about travelling in Ghana is the ability to make adeal. Although we weren't able to work our way into a cheaper room atthe resort, we made friends with the security guy who had friendsliving alongside the Ocean.

He introduced us, and once wechecked out the accommodations, made sure the 'friends' were indeed,trustworthy 'friends', we locked our valuables in the car and walkeddown a path to the beach where we would be staying.

Ouraccommodation was a raised, two bedroom structure made of bamboo.There was a bed in each room and surprisingly with electricity.Another raised structure a few yards away held the toilet room.

Wewalked up and watched two Rastas gather their belongings, plop theminto an overnight bag, change the bedsheets, grab a tent, saygood-night and head down the beach.

Ieagerly admired their simplistic lifestyle and ability to fiteverything they own in one bag and proudly relocate themselves alongthe sandy shoreline in order to offer their accommodations to astranger.

Thanks,Rastas.

Wakingto the sound of the Ocean's crashing waves was a feeling I will neverforget. I woke up, and Francis and I strolled along the coast, feetin the sand. I was completely speechless.

As soon as everyonewoke up, we gathered the one or two things we brought with us and gotready to go to the stilt village. In order to get there, you have toarrange a canoe ride with the Ghana Wildlife Society.

Andso, as we did. We arranged our canoe ride and enjoyed the 45 minutepaddle to the stilt village.

Nzulezois exactly what it is known for being, a village on stilts. Coolright? Yes! Too cool! Incredibly cool.

Main strip of the stilt village. Extending from this lane are the aisles belonging to the individual families.

Paddling in, it looksinteresting, original, unique. You pull up, step out of your canoeand walk along the wooden pathways dividing the houses like streets.Usually, tourists will come and go, staying for roughly 20 minutes toan hour. During our time there we didn't see anyone stay longer, ororder food, or ask to stay the night.

Wedid. A colleague was doing a video on the village and so we wererequired to set up interview appointments with communityrepresentatives for the following day. And since we had travelledseven hours from Accra to this incredible community, absolutely wewere going to stay the night.

Duringour visit we spoke with community members, the village maintenanceman acting on behalf of the chief and in doing so learned about thehistory of Nzulezo. Once upon a time, migrants from neighbouringAfrican countries had come to Ghana, for whatever reasons, they werebeing chased and managed to escape by building themselves a villageon stilts.

Asrumours have it, as the enemies tried to approach the village byboat, the Gods controlled the water to close in on them. Protectingthe inhabitants of Nzulezo from their attackers.

Incurrent day, each of the 24 wooden rows represent a different family,and each time a member gets married or has children they build theirown house along the same row as their elders. They have one schooland two official church buildins representing two of the four to fivereligions practiced in the village.

Although the village has a well constructed school with funding provided by the government for employment of educators, the community struggles to find and especially keep, a teacher for extended periods of time due to the difficult living conditions of the village.

Nzulezo does not yet have electricity although on 13th December 2011 an article was released by the Daily Graphic announcing an extension of power, costing $200,000 would reach Nzulezu with the purpose of boasting tourism in the area. This project is funded under a $16.5 million package given to the Government of Ghana by the World Bank for the purpose of electrification projects in the Jomoro District in the Western Region under the Ghana Energy Distribution Access Project (GEDAP).

For tourists wanting to spend in the stilt village, there is one option for accommodations. Otherwise visitors will stay in the nearby village of Beyin. A two-room lodge, two single bedsin each, with access to a public toilet down one of the wooden lanes.We paid for the rooms and pulled the mattresses outside to sleepunder the stars in this enchanted stilt village.

Comingfor a visit is a must for all travellers touring through Ghana, but Ido believe there is something magical about spending the night inthis remote place. You experience more than a museum-style walkaround and canoe ride. You get to know the community members andwitness how they live. You find out what games the kids play, wherethey gather their food, the locations they canoe to bathe.

Althoughone night was enough, and we were extremely grateful for rememberingto bring a deck of cards, it was an experience I will never forget.

View from our window in Nzulezo, the village on stilts.

Totally Togo

2012-01-09T09:41:00.001-08:00

Francis and I with cousin Franky, in the village of Sevagan, Togo.

Thecrossing of borders, motorbike taxis, drinking Togolese beer,defecating into a cement hole, greetings with spiritual readers andsleeping under the stars – for me, this was totally Togo.

RecentlyI travelled to Togo, alright, it was a while back now (earlyOctober, 2011) but life has been just too wonderful and I forgot topost this blog. It was done though, I swear.

Forthose of you who don't know, Togo - officially the Togolese Republic -is the West African country bordering Ghana to the East. It gained independence from France in 1960 and theofficial language remains to be French, although the majority of locals communicate in theirnative languages.

With apopulation of approximately 6.7 million, Togo is home to over 37tribes and 99 per cent of its population is of Native Africandescent.

The country is highly dependent upon agriculture and isknown for being a regional commercial and trade centre. Cocoa,coffee, and cotton generate roughly 40 per cent of export earnings,with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is also theworld's fourth-largest producer of phosphate.

Although a significant minority can be found of those who practiceChristianity and Muslim, the largest religious group in Togo is ofthose who practice indigenous traditional beliefs, often referred to astraditionalists, making up over 51 per cent of the countries religious status.

As mentioned, in earlyOctober 2011 I needed to get out of the city, and so, headed to Togo.It was an approximate four hour drive on public transit (tro-tro) to theTogolese border in Aflao. I purchases my Visa at theborder for 60 cedis and literally, walked across into the capital of Togo, Lomé.

I travelled with my partnerFrancis, whose grandmother is Togolese. Neither of us fluent in French, itdefinitely helped being with someone who spoke Ewe, one of the manylocal dialects.

Oncein Lomé,we walked the roadsides lined with hawkers, vendors and tables forcurrency exchange. Our plan was to travel further inland to visit an uncle in the small village of Sevagan, so we eachgrabbed a motor-taxi and headed towards the next station to pick a car the rest of the way.

Similarto Northern Ghana, Togo relies heavily on motorbikes as a mainmeans of transportation. There was something exhilarating aboutsitting on the backside of a stranger's motorbike, driving alongsidethe Ocean's shoreline deeper into a West African city I hadnever been to before.

I was loving it.

Once making it to the station, wegrabbed a shared taxi and travelled for roughly another two hours.By the time we arrived in the village of Sevagan, the nighthad grown dark. We made a phone call, were told where to be dropped,and stood at the side of the road looking rather silly. Aman soon came and gestured us over, introducing himself as the uncle we werecoming to meet.

The size of African families tend to belarger than in North America, sometimes havingmore than 10-12 siblings. With lack of resources, opportunity and poorcommunication networks, when family members migrate to larger citiesor neighboring countries, it isn't unusual for family members notto meet until later in life, if ever.

Thiswas the case for Francis and his uncle. Our visit to Togo would betheir first meeting.

One of my most admirablecharacteristics of African culture is their relationships. Family isfamily, and friends are family too. You are always welcome and what you have, you share. Even ifyou don't have the same mother or father, or aunt or uncle, whensomeone is in need, you are the same family.

Ouruncle greeted us warmly and took us on the back of his motorbike tohis house, where we would be staying for the duration of our visit.

As it was late, the family was asleep. We entered theself-contained compound, with no electricity and no running water,and were directed to our room. There was a wardrobe, a window, aclothes line hanging vertically across the room and a straw-stuffedmattress for us to sleep on.

I was stillloving it.

Atthe break of dawn, we woke to the sounds of the roosters. Got up,had our bucket shower and shared the tea, milo and bread we hadbrought for the family. We ate in a small sitting room and were only joined by the man of the household, while the mother, one of two wives, ate outside with the children.

As polygamy is common in West Africa, this came as no surprise.

Wespent the morning getting to know the family (with my lack ofFrench and Ewe I really just smiled, held a lot of hands and playedwith the children) and then it was time for us to explore.

Wewere given Uncle's motorbike for the day, and after fixing aflat tire within the first two seconds of our journey, we knew it wasgoing to be an adventure!

Wedrove down red-dirt roads, surrounded by green fields and palm trees.Past hut-homes made of dried clay and crowded village water pumps. We smiledat mothers hand washing their clothes in buckets and waved at thechildren chasing our bike, laughing while they sang 'Obruni,' orwhite lady.

We had nearly made it to a nieghbouring village, the village Francis' mother had grown up in, when our tire popped. After pushing the bike to a mechanic to fix popped tire number two, we continued on our way.

Spiritual father performing a consultation.

Inhonour of traditional spirit, we decided to visit the home of aspiritual leader for a consultation on our way the river. Upon our arrival, we wereoffered water and I was instructed to drink, but “not to much, yourstomach might not handle it.”

We presented the spiritual leader with some coins and in return he laidout a bag of ornaments upon his mat on the dirt floor. The ornaments including beads, shells, stones and wood pieces of all shapes and sizes.

He then began chanting to the gods on our behalf. Wewere each given a token from his clothe and told to hold it tight,and ask a question or think of an issue we would like guidance on.

We did as we were told, then returned our ornaments to his mat. Rhythmically, the spiritual leader shook a string of beads above the ornaments on the blanket, lightly chanting in Ewe to the Gods.

He would toucha rock, pick it up and replace it in a different location on his mat.He would run his fingers through the small mound of beads beside him,then blow into a seashell.

Then,in Ewe, would translate to us what the Gods had said to him.

As mentioned, Iclearly don't speak Ewe, so Francis would translate the informationbeing passed on to me through the spiritual leader, from the Gods.

Itwas my first spiritual consultation and I found the process incredible. The spiritual leader was offering insight in connectionto the thoughts, questions and concerns I had meditated on whileholding my token, or ornament.

Hegave me insight on my family, friends, profession. He discussed withme possibilities of following my passion and what would happen if Ichose to stay in Africa. He warned me of things, and people, to becautious of, shared advise on personal attributes and warned me not to consume groundnuts for the next 16 days.

Althoughhe did not provide a crystal clear, 'yes' or 'no' through theconsultation, what he did provide was even greater. He provided wisdom,insight and an opportunity that allowed for spiritual growth andintellectual expansion.

Togo is the origin of Voodoo, and often people speak abouttraditionalism as a form of voodoo. Even so, it is notthe same as often imagined in the sense of rag dolls and push-pins. It's a spiritual connectionto that which is greater than you, and a belief that through concentrationand devotion you can communicate with the Gods.

Itis seen by people around the world as a dangerous practice, as 'blackmagic' and witchcraft. Perhaps the only thing frightening about it,is that which is unknown or understood. What we are not custom to and thereforfear.

Ileft feeling empowered. I was thankful for this new experience andfelt I had become a wiser person because of it. It doesn'tmatter if you believe it or not, if you practice or don't –to me it was the ability to be a part of the experience that made it real. Isn'tthat the one thing that always does.

After saying our thank yous and goodbyes, Francis and I drove to the nearby river. We turned the corner on ourmotorbike to the most incredible view. A sandy shore merging into clear water, surrounded by fresh green fields being grazed by a heardof traveling cattle. Children playing in the river on jerrycans whilewoman hand washed their clothes and the men fished with handcrafted nets.

It was so, so beautiful.

Children playing amongst jerrycans alongside the riverbank.

Thesun began to set and Francis and I set to return home. When wereturned wesaw the family curled up, laughing together in the yard on straw matsunder the cool night sky. We went and grabbed of our own and lay a fewyards away enjoying the clear dark blue sky, filled with stars.

Youcan't see stars like that in Accra.

Ilay still; completely content, completely at peace. I layed staringat the sky for as long as possible, fighting the urge to close my eyes. I wondered how manyothers were laying with their backs on the ground, admiring the same star filledsky, enjoying the feeling of tranquility and appreciation.

Thanks universe, I totally love Togo.

Chair of the Toronto Star Visits Ghana

2012-01-08T15:59:00.000-08:00

Above and Below: John Honderich delivers his speech to media representatives at the Ghana Journalists Association, Accra.

Please Note: This blog was first published on jhr's Field Notes blog on November 26th, 2011
To view original post, click here

Newspapers are intended to deliver information, educate the public and beyond that – bring community together.

This is what former publisher, editor and current Chair of the Board of the Toronto Star Mr. John Honderich shared with local journalists on his visit to Ghana as part of a Journalists for Human Rights initiative. During Mr. Honderich’s ten day visit, he delivered a presentation to over 20 of Ghana’s leading publishers, editors and reporters at the Press Centre of the Ghana Journalists Association.

The presentation focused on the role of the media in community development. Honderich described much of the media scene within Canada and the role of the Toronto Star, one of Canada’s largest national newspapers, in communicating news and information within the most diverse city in North America and around the world. Toronto, with a population of 2.48 million people, is home to over 20 per cent of Canadian immigrants and has up to half of its population, 1,237,720 people, being born outside of Canada.

In Mr. Honderich’s presentation, he acknowledged The Toronto Star’s commitment to covering issues of public interest for such a large diversity of people. He recognized the challenges of cultural values and belief altering one’s perspectives on a particular subject or issue, but says it is essential to reflect these issues in mainstream media.

Mr. Honderich called this interaction, ‘the dialogue on diversity'.

Topics have been featured in the Toronto Star that have created heated discussion, not only within Toronto’s multicultural environment but nation wide. Some of the issues discussed within the presentation included the debate on whether Sikhs within the RCMP should be allowed to wear their traditional turbans while on the job to whether the singing of Christmas Carols in public schools should be banned.

To some, these issues seemed unimportant but were seen as essential in the eyes of Mr. Honderich in regards to the dialogue on diversity.

Although these topics were not specific to Ghana, the discussion of dialogue on diversity is taking place within Africa and here, local media has its own cultural conversations to report.

A recent example is Ghanaian President John Atta Mills’ refusal to legalize homosexuality in exchange for the continued support of foreign aid from British Prime Minister David Cameron – a leading news story which has been causing heated reaction and debate nationally and internationally.

Although many Africans strongly oppose homosexuality and believe it is a foreign concept brought in by Westerners, a minority of the population support gay rights or claim to be gay themselves.

This includes gay rights activist who goes under the alias of Prince.

Prince met with Mr. Honderich during his visit to Ghana and described the circumstances under which homosexuals live in the country as a ‘difficult thing’. In a column written by Mr. Honderich inspired by his visit with Prince, he writes “[Prince] no longer feels safe, adding police harassment has spiked dramatically.”

In regards to Ghana’s dialogue on diversity, Chair of the Ghana Journalists Association Ado Yeboah-Afari referred to the press reaction to the homosexuality debate as ‘hysterical’.

When asked by participants to share his own opinion, Mr. Honderich explained that homosexuality is legal in Canada and described the process it took to get there – highlighting that many people in Canada were also opposed to the notion. Nonetheless, it is the media’s job and responsibility to cover the issue unbiasedly from both sides.

In addition to the presentation held at the GJA Press Centre, Mr. Honderich was kept busy with multiple media engagements. He paid visit to two of Ghana’s leading radio stations, Joy FM and Citi FM and spent time speaking with young professionals of the Journalists for Human Rights Student Chapter at the African University College of Communication.

He also facilitated a panel discussion at the residents of the Canadian High Commissioners and met with over 70 students from Communication Studies of the Islamic University College, Ghana and worked alongside management at Ghana’s leading independent newspaper, The Daily Guide.

jhr AUCC Official Executive Handing Over

2011-10-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

JHR-AUCC President Ernest Lartey delivers his welcome address.

As the start of classes drew closer at the African University College of Communications, members of theJournalists for Human Rights School Chapter held their official Handing Over Ceremony.

“For me, this was significant in the history of the chaper,” says Danny Bannah, two-term president of the school chapter. “This is the first time JHR AUCC is handing over – officially handing over.”

The event was to officialize the transfer of administrative responsibilities from previous executives to the newly elected team. The event was also in recognition of the accomplishments of the previous year’s executive team and as an induction for the administration of the chapters new leaders.

The event began, as all events in Ghana do, with a prayer of blessing, followed by a welcome address. As the theme chosen was African Wear, the room was filled with bright colours and beautiful patterns. All which matched the uplifting energy of a room filled with empowered students passionate about human rights education.

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Rotary Launches Road Safety Campaign

2011-10-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

Local street vendor Cornelius Apeku receives free eye exam during the Make Roads Safe Campaign

The Rotary Club of Accra-Labone in partnership with the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit and the Driver and Vehicle Licencing bureaux have launched a Road Safety Campaign aimed at educating Ghana’s motoring public.

This initiative is a result of increased numbers in traffic related deaths, as according to the MTTU’s nation wide accident statistics. These are numbers Officer Simon Tenkuu of the MTTU says the country can not be proud of.

“The traffic situation in Accra is becoming quite disturbing,” he says. “When it comes to the accident rate at the metro police, it is high – due mostly to indiscipline of drivers.”

According to the MTTU nation wide accident statistics, traffic related deaths were up to 1,679 in only nine months, between January to September 2011 and traffic related deaths remain the number one cause of fatality between those aged ten to 24 in Ghana.

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Thanksgiving in Ghana

2011-10-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving dinner in Ghana

Our Thanksgiving adventure began with a three hour trip to the one place we figured we could get a turkey – Shoprite. This meant hoping on a tro-tro, switching over twice, and patiently waiting as the process took it’s sweet time. Most often we shop at local markets or roadside stands, but for this occasion we wanted to go all out.

On our way, we stopped along the roadside to buy hardboiled eggs and salsa then flagged down the bicycle carrying fanmilk – the closest comparison to an ice cream truck in Ghana. As we waited for the next tro-tro to come, we couldn’t help but laugh at how different – and to us random – the daily events of our lives had become since leaving Canada three short months ago.

We wandering the aisles of Shoprite, a typical Westernized grocery store located in the largest mall in Accra, and chose items for our dinner celebration, eliminating those that could still be purchased at the market closer to home. The cost of a turkey was an arm and a leg – and since we each only had two – we decided to scratch that and improvise with chicken.

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It's Time to Get Writing

2011-10-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

Writinghas proven difficult. Wether it be finding the time, the words, the energy or ability I have found it difficult to express my thoughts, feelings and experiences.

I coulddescribe at length why I feel this is but will synthesis bysaying at the end of the day it was a chose. Our time is our own,our words are an essence of our experiences and our energy a resultof the combination.

Reflecting back, so much has happened and allwith significance to be shared but at that point time, for whateverreason I could not. And this, I would like to change.

Since by arrival and after my lapse in writing, there have beenmoments when I look back and think, “I should have wrote aboutthis, I can't believe I didn't share that,” and I grow angry withmyself. A result of this is the continuous inability to express mystories and experiences - for I feel I will never be able to catch up.

Part ofme believes part of the struggle has been that the past few months have seemed like aroller coaster – waiting so long in line and then here, it's your turn. You're living it and you're scared, excited, energized, nervous,liberated, confused and sometimes disoriented and sometimes you keep youreyes closed and then all of a sudden – it's over.

I thinkI fell into this pattern. This experience has been an array ofoverwhelming emotions, something I expected and what I was looking for.

My mistake, was not taking ownership of these emotions at the time of. As they are a result of only myself - my thoughts, my values, mybeliefs, my experiences and my expectations. I made a mistake, I didn'ttake the time to properly reflect and identify what was taking placearound me – or within me - and I feared so greatly the inability to catch up I forgot I could just start over. Pick up, and begin again.

Mywords should not portray an image of unfortunate events but rathera journey of personal exploration and self discovery. This journeyhas had it's ups and downs – as every journey does. You'll passthrough valleys and gulfs. Climbs hills and pass shorelines, sometimes you excel and others slow down. It is all part of the journey and what makes each unique.

I must strongly state that I have enjoyed every aspect of this experience and am thankful - to the point of near explosion, but I choose not to romanticize the process and give equal recognition to the struggles of this journey as well as the overall accomplishments. I have enjoyed every moment - challenges, bumps and bruises, sunny days, rainbows and lollipops - but we've had them all.

And no real story would be complete - if not honest - without them.

Thissmall piece of writing is my acknowledgement of the fear that I have beencarrying with me – fear to share my experiences for how they may beperceived. “Is this good enough? Will people understand? Will they judge me? Does it dothe truth justice?”

These thoughts continue to run through my mindand cause me much grief.

Chances are, manymay not understand, people will always judge and everything can't always be good enough. But words will never justify experience - real life experience - but thatdoes not mean they are not worth writing down. As it is the bestoption we have for sharing ideas, provoking thought and proving to the world certain events took place.

It's time to get writing.

I have decided to make a choice and commit to making time to exchange my experiences with those interested in reading. I would rather attempt and fail then not try again - and if I don't begin now, I will return to Canada and will not have anything written of my experiences to reflect on. An if I don't begin now, I may not begin at all.

So, Iam going to write. I will reflect. I will do my best to expressmyself to an audience that is just like me – passionate but unsure,intrigued, cautious and best of all, curious.

Withoutstruggle there can't be accomplishment and without celebrationwe can never acknowledge success.

Biking as a Tool for Women Empowerment

2011-09-28T02:40:00.000-07:00

Woman on Bike participant Alba Kunadu Sumprim before the ride.

Please Note: This blog was first posted on Journalists for Human Rights: Field Notes

To view original posting, click here

In Ghana’s northern regions bicycles are used as a necessary means of transportation, but in the capital city of Accra, this is not the case. Cycling in the city can not only be dangerous, but attached to social stigmas – especially for women cyclists.

This is what Alba Kunadu Sumprim, along with ten others, discovered as participants in the Woman on Bike workshop, which is also part of the Prêt-à-partager art exhibition. The purpose is to explore the limits and possibilities of bikes in an urban West African atmosphere with particular significance to biking as a tool of female empowerment.

Sumprim is a British born Ghanaian and a participant in the workshop. Sumprim says back in England, cycling was a key method of transport for her and part of her daily routine. She has spent the past decade living in Ghana and says this workshop gave her the courage and confidence to get on a bike for the first time since her arrival ten years ago.

“When I first started I was a little scared,” she says. “It’s a matter of confidence… as I became more confident I realized it was my right to be on the road with everybody else.”

Based on her experience riding in the city, Sumprim says she has felt social discrimination as a female cyclist, stating one man she met while riding told her that as far as he was concerned, the only women who should be on bicycles are villagers, women from the north or foreigners, and Ghanaian women in Accra, should not be on bicycles.

“It is all about status – and riding a bike says that you are poor. That is the perception. I think there is also a gender thing, we have very typical ideas of what women can do and what women can’t do,” Sumprim says.

This is the type of discrimination the workshop aims to eliminate. Sandrine Micosse-Aikins, co-creator of Prêt-à-partager art exhibition in collaboration with the German Institute of Foreign Cultural Relations, says the initiative is related to ideas of freedom and Pan African Empowerment.

As a German-Ghanaian, she says female empowerment is an important issue for her and feels biking is something people in the city aren’t practicing and aren’t claiming as their right.

“[It's] about promoting biking as a practice available for women, especially Ghanaian women,” Micosse-Aikins says.

The women involved in the workshop agree the perception of female cyclists in Accra and the discrimination towards them is not something that is going to vanish overnight. It is, however, something they believe they can work towards and plan to continue.

Zohra Opoku is a German-Ghanaian, avid cyclist, artist and coordinator of the Woman on Bike workshop. Opoku says this workshop is just the beginning and they have started to think of actions to strengthen their goal. It begins with public interaction, she says.

“In terms of empowerment it is something that has to grow,” Opuku says. “I think this is good. People will see more bikes on the streets because of our workshop.”

In addition to the empowerment associated with female riders, Sumprim states that although the workshop is focused on women and female empowerment, it has potential to extend into the greater community.

According to her, less traffic congestion, decreased pollution, lower economic demand for oil and overall health and fitness are benefits of the cycling initiative.

“It is Woman on Bike because it is a novelty, but society in general can be empowered… it is actually a huge thing for society as a whole,” Sumprim says.

From Intention to Interpretation

2011-09-28T02:39:00.000-07:00

First posted on Journalists for Human Rights: Field Notes

Reflecting back - written August 28th, 2011

View from Kokemlemle Guest House in Accra, Ghana.

On the roof of our guesthouse in Kokemlemle, we sit and enjoy the African breeze that comes with the setting of the sun beginning around 5:30pm. In the company of our local friend, we sip Ghanaian produced Gulder beer and reflect on day’s events.

We are soon joined by a fellow from Germany and a young lady from Sweden. Staying at a guesthouse we often meet travelers, mainly volunteers, from around the world. The gentleman is traveling Ghana and Togo for a month, visiting his brother and will be joined by his family. The young lady arrived in Accra the night before to begin her short-term volunteer work at an orphanage outside of the capital city.

“Welcome to Ghana, what do you think so far?” I ask the slim blonde woman.

Her eyes widened and her grin lit up her face.

“Thing’s here are crazy! Everything is unorganized – it is so different than Sweden,” she replies.

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Circle Overpass - leading to Kaneshie Market in Accra, Ghana.

Typical view of Accra traffic.

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Commuters Crash

2011-09-28T02:11:00.000-07:00

First Posted on Journalists for Human Rights: Field Notes

The evening was dark and the air crisp as we embarked on our journey to Accra from Ghana’s Western Region. It was not much past 7:00 pm but the quiet, urban roads made it seem as though the whole of the country would be asleep.
The route home was anything but smooth, potholes causing our tro-tro to veer from one side to the other. The vehicle remained silent despite being at full capacity, including three passengers per four rows, plus the small child strapped to his mothers back. We were approximately two hours into our seven hour journey and I had finally managed to reached the point of dosing off.

As my head rested on my hand against the window, I was Instantly and abruptly brought to attention. I was temporarily blinded by the headlights of oncoming traffic as we were forced between the two lanes of the highway.
Initially, I was overwhelmed with confusion until the realization sunk it; we were going to crash.

Our tro-tro after the crash.

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Best shower ever – there is hot water!

2011-08-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Just over a month has passed with us living in Accra; we have stayed in three different neighbourhoods in three different houses and have packed and unpacked our bags well over three times. We have been patient and are adapting well. Only one final move left until we reach our permanent accommodations for the remainder of our six month contract - making a total of four houses in four neighbourhoods.

Currently, we are privileged to have been invited to stay at a friends – and words can not describe the contrast. We have moved from a middle class area, to a lower class compound and are now staying in an upper class gated complex. We stayed in a guesthouse in a rapidly developing area, each day eating breakfast with people from all over the world to a shared-housing compound with limited water and electricity, being surrounded by wonderful children, learning their games and waking up at 5am each day to their not so happy shrieks, the morning rooster ritual calls, honking cars and hand-washing of our neighbours right outside the bedroom window. – We are now in a gated community with a night guard, three bathrooms, a swimming pool, our own bedrooms (yes, we had been sharing), full kitchen, house cleaner and you wouldn't believe it.... hot water!!!

When we arrived we were in awe – it was absolutely beautiful. We felt as though we were entering a resort. It was a complete contrast from the style we had previously been living. This home has all the amenities of an average home back in Canada - washing machine, full size refrigerator, air conditioning, television, three bathrooms - all of which are now perceived to me as luxuries. It's interesting to recognize all the 'everyday things' we tend to take for granted in a developed country.

After packing, moving, walking, working; a shower was a must! It was necessary to remove the dirt-tan I had gained over the course of our day. I was already looking forward to a good scrub and have mastered the art of a good cold shower – but to my surprise, I could not believe it.... “THERE'S HOT WATER!!!!!”

The irony and appreciation was humorous. I had completely accepted the fact a hot shower was not something I would endear until my return to Canada and I was okay with that. Initially I said even if I had the chance I would probably pass down the option to bathing with hot water - I was convinced I had grown an appreciated tolerance for cold showers, as it wasn't abnormal for our water to be shut off for up to three days at a time and any water at all was a relief. I was also afraid I might lose my built resistance to the cold showers immediately after I enjoyed a warm one. But unknowingly receiving this surprise was different and I gratefully accepted. It was by far, one of the best showers I've ever had ... I couldn't have felt cleaner :)

I've realized it isn't until these 'daily luxuries' aren't constantly available that you stop expecting them and become grateful. Take a page out of Chairperson of the Council of Canadians' Maude Barlow's book – water is not a commodity.

Thank you hot shower, I appreciate you.

Trip to the Western Region with AUCC jhr Chapter Members

2011-08-10T06:34:00.000-07:00

At 5:00 am we were to meet near Kanishe station – one of the largest tro-tro and transport hubs for travel in Accra - before beginning our journey west. We waited for the remainder of our group of 7 to arrive. We would then take a tro-tro towards where we would stay in Bogoso for the next 3 days. In accordance to GMT – Ghana Man Time – we boarded our bus at 6:30 am, which was only an hour and a half later than scheduled.

In the meantime, Cheryl and I wondered on a mission to do what we do best; find breakfast. After walking the stalls, accidentally knocking over bread on a stand with our backpacks (cough, Cheryl, couch) and replying to inquiries of our destination with 'breakfast', we found a lady making fried egg sandwiches; our favourite. This would keep us satisfied until our departure.

For 11 cedis we would travel approximately four hours to Tarkwa, where we would switch tros and continue on to Bogoso. The drive itself was incredible. This was my first time heading west out of the capital city and two friends from the University where I work – The African University College of Communications – were incredible window guides. As we traveled out of the city, we left the smog behind and entered a surrounding of lush vegetation and quaint African villages.

We passed a section of Cape Coast and saw the castle from a distance and drove passed the first secondary institution to have been built in Ghana. We discussed each of the towns we passed and what they were known for. The types of trees and fruits they blossomed, the names of different rivers and where they would lead. We saw elaborate local markets and small homes made of adobe-clay, wooden sticks and tin roofs. The roads were lined with flowering trees, corn fields and plantain trees. We compared our countries climates and our friends were always shocked when I told them 90% of the fruits in Ghana don't grow in Canada – it is just too cold.

We discussed politics and the decline of agriculture in Ghana that began in the 1980s with foreign aid and lack of farming substity. I learned of the rural villages my friends had left to come to school and the strains of farming labour their communities endure. We discussed work related injuries and the movement of Ghanaian independence that began with Kwame Nkrumah. All the while travelling red dirt roads, attempting to avoid pot holes and semi-slowing down for speed bumps.

As we transferred from Tarkwa to Bogoso and onward to Prestea – the community in which we were to meet with the chief to discuss permission for a future project, the roads grew progressively worse. This was a result of the intense weight of transport vehicles used for the production of mining companies which are widely present throughout this area. Ghana is known for having vast amounts of gold; a reflection of the countries prior name The Gold Coast.

Our walk up one of the streets in Bogoso

Ernest and Danny on the streets of Prestea

AUCC - jhr chapter members

View from Prestea

A closer look at impacts of mining on the community of Bogoso

Many of the people we met in Bogoso (town we were logging in) and Prestea (community we were visiting during the day) were employed in relation to mining companies – production, sales, engineering, equipment, security and ownership. We met one American who was part-owner of a mining company, sharing the title with the chief of the village they worked; some hours outside of Bogoso. He said there are some companies that produce over US$1 million a day. We were told the amount of profit that stays within Ghana differs depending on the company but is never more than 20 per cent and up to 85 per cent of mining companies are owned by foreign investors – including Canada.

The Bogoso and Prestea mining properties together have produced over 13 million ounces of gold, in accordance to Canadian mining company Golden Star Resources Ltd.. Mining in Prestea has more than a 135 year history and has taken numerous ownership adjustments. Initially a primarily underground operation, Prestea was comprised of different licenses operated by independent mining companies until 1968, when the post-independence government decided to amalgamate. Due to lack of sustained investments the industry took a declination and in 1985 the Government of Ghana secured a loan with the World Bank to rehabilitate the mines. In 1988 the decision was made to privatize the mines.

In addition to poor road conditions, mining has many negative impacts including deforestation, exploitation of traditional lands, displacement, poor working conditions, contamination of waterways and land resources and health implications including tuberculosis and skin diseases. Impacts of mining are universal and all situations share common themes. I have seen similar examples of this throughout the state of Chiapas in Southern Mexico, where impacts of mining are prominent. Throughout Central and South America mining opposition movements have begun in attempt to resist the implementation of extreme mining expeditions, many with limited success. Nonetheless, awareness on the impacts of mining are reaching the people affected and expanding to the global general public, specifically with the support and monitoring of international civil society organizations.

Mining production does provide positive benefits, but as mentioned by a store clerk in Bogoso, the majority of these benefits are short-term and unsustainable specifically in comparison to the irreversible damage caused in the process. I am interested in continually monitoring the impacts of mining, both positive and negative, in local and global communities and specifically the role Canada will play.

A look at local human rights issues in Accra

2011-07-30T04:02:00.000-07:00

The past weeks have been busy and eventful, meeting with human rights representatives within the community. In order to grasp a greater context of human rights issues within Ghana -with a specific focus on Accra - we met with human rights organizations, advocates and representative stakeholders to identify common areas of importance and local initiatives.

By doing this, we have gained a stronger understanding of how to incorporate an honest and progressive approach of human rights into the workshops and curriculum we will be creating with local media and journalism/communications students. ____________________________________________________________________________________

Firstly, we met with Programs Manager of the Human Rights Advocacy Centre Daniel Asare Korang. He described the work of the HRAC as having a three tier umbrella - focusing in research, advocacy and legal representation.

Within these categories Korang described key human rights violations which are most dominant in Ghanaian society. These included false imprisonment, domestic violence – including assault and defilement, estates dispute, police brutality and employment abuse. The rights of homosexuality and those with mental health conditions were also highlighted as key issues and initiatives in which the HRAC has been increasing their involvement.

Homosexuality and mental health are issues in which the HRAC believes people are not receiving equal rights. People living with mental health conditions are often ostracized in Ghana, and in the continent of Africa as a whole, and are not seen as victims of a mental condition. Often people suffering from mental health problems will be sent to what are called 'prayer camps' and although not always, are commonly reported as tortured or abused in an attempt to 'rid the demands' within them.

The issue of homosexuality within Ghana has proved to be controversial with many religious organizations and government officials opposed to the notion entirely. In Ghana, carnal sex is an illegal act and just last week Ghana's Western Region Minister Paul Evans Aidoo ordered all homosexuals to be arrested. Although numerous non-government organizations and human rights advocacy centres are not in support of this action, there were little who came public in support of homosexuality.

The HRAC is one of the few who has come public with their initiatives which support the rights of homosexuals and they are working closely with individuals who have publicly announced their sexual orientation. The goal is to build a solidarity network within the homosexual community in order to progress their rights and bring awareness and education to the public on the issues and concerns related to homosexuality. The HRAC says regardless of sexual orientation people deserve equal treatment.

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Many people in Ghana believe same sex orientation is a choice and a sin in reference to the bible. Many also believe same sex partners, specifically men, are the leading cause of Ghana's aids rate, which sits at a prevalence rate of 1.7%, the lowest rate so far in West Africa, according to statistics from the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS).

With these arguments and more, the issue is not culturally accepted and is strongly opposed by the public. The controversy and legal rights of homosexuality within Africa has received international media attention and continues to be a heated topic of debate.

For further information, read Ghana rights groups warn of anti-gay hate campaign by local reporter William Yaw Owusu and jhr trainer Paul Carlucci.

We paid a visit to Numo Blafo III, Public Relations Advisor of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to gain an understanding of the process of decision making in Accra. In comparison to Canada, the AMA is equivalent to our city council.

Similar to Canada, the AMA is separated into departments, each with staff of specific expertise. When we asked of current projects and initiatives in Accra by the AMA we received word on a new bylaw in effect which states hawking is now deemed illegal and all hawkers, if caught, may be arrested and jailed.

Hawking is a form of street vending. Men and mainly women and children parade the streets carrying cargo of goods to sell balance on their head. They weave in and out of traffic in an attempt to catch commuters, especially during hours of high traffic when cars are unable to move for extended periods of time.

Blafo says this bylaw has been passed in an attempt to 'lower the rate of vehicle related accidents'. In the meeting Blafo said the number of people getting hit by traffic was high and continually on the rise and so the bylaw was created and passed. As the number of street hawkers is often extreme, we are unsure of the process of arrest but understand the AMA will have officers patrolling high traffic areas.

A greater issue, in my opinion, would be the alternative to income for this large group of people. The majority of hawkers live in and around the city of Accra and rely on the income from hawking to support themselves and their families. If the arrest of hawkers become strongly enforced, I struggle to see an economic alternative for many of these individuals and families especially with lack of access to higher levels of education and training.

In relation, the finances necessary for full implementation of this bylaw would be substantial. Police officers would deal with hawkers as opposed to more severe crimes and the justice system would have to accommodate the trials of hawkers before their sentences. The jails would then need to accommodate the number of hawkers arrested, which can be up to 90 days.

A related issue is the process of the justice system in Accra and throughout Ghana. Often, people will be charged with minor crimes and without money for bail, wait in jail cells until their trials. Because the current justice system is not able to tend to the trails at a fast rate, the accused are forced to wait months and sometimes years before their trial begins. When they receive their crime sentence they must pay in full, without taking into account the time of imprisoned while awaiting their trial, which is often months to years.

Although the bill was put in effect as of April 2011, it is not fully in practice and hawkers are evidently present on road sides throughout Accra. For further information, read Accra Mayor declares war on street Hawking.

So, I moved to Africa?

2011-07-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

Since arriving in Accra things have been interesting - and different than my other experiences of travel. In ways it doesn't feel like travel, it feels like we have moved to live a different city in a different country.

We have been looking for a home, identifying parts of the city, figuring out transportation, establishing frequently used routes and choosing the markets to buy our groceries. We have had to learn about garbage disposal (or removal as there is no proper waste removal system in Accra), where to buy water, what to do when the house water supply runs out, how to sufficiently bucket-shower, how to hand wash our laundry, where we can withdraw money, where to buy a mattress, a phone, internet stick, additional converters, beer and anything else we realize we need.

We have learned how to haggle taxi drivers for fair prices, how to flag down a tro, how not to get stuck on a tro, how not to get entirely lost in general, where the 'obruni' (white/foreigners) spots for food are (when our tummies are telling us not to be too adventurous), where locals gather and of course deciding on our favourite places to celebrate the day with a beverage.

We have begun new jobs, met new colleagues, made new friends - all the while adjusting to an entirely new culture. Each time one moves they must adapt to a new sort of culture - changing neighbourhoods, towns, cities, provinces, states - each signifies it's own identity and culture. For us, we have left the continent in which was home and the differences in culture can seem extreme.

The differences are great, although at times intimidating. We are surrounded by new sites, new people and new language (the official language is English, Ghana was previously conquered by the British and originally inhabited by tribes each with their own dialect). To us, everything is new.

It is interesting to live your life the way you would at home – have breakfast, brush your teeth, shower, get to work, get home, have dinner, go out, go to sleep – but do it in a new continent.

Everything is new, exciting and comes with difficulties.

It took me time to establish why this round was different and then it hit me – like my semi-daily cold water showers – I had moved to Africa!

Something you'd think was apparent and obvious yet somehow easily forgotten. Each of my other long-term travel experiences had some aspect of support – when I moved to Spain as an Au Pair I went through an organization and lived with a family, when I backpacked through Europe we were going day-by-day, when we stayed in Mexico we travelled as a group through an NGO and had logistical details arranged – when all of those things are taken care of it is much easier to focus on the tasks ahead and even then can be exhausting. It is an incredible experience to re-teach yourself how to live out your day.

In respect to all mentioned, I have noticed instances of personal growth since my arrival. I have over come fears, questioned my purpose, identified my needs and integrated to the best of my ability while still staying true to myself.

Now that we have established the functions of our daily routine, I am looking forward to what the next leg of our journey will hold. We have made trustworthy friends, established an understanding of the logistics of the city, entered our work places and have confirmed final living accommodations to begin August 17^th. We have gained insight into Ghanaian culture but have yet to begin grasping a full understanding of the true complexities.

We have touched the surface and I am eager to learn more, dig deeper and go upstream.

David - Our good friend and staff of the Kokomlemle Guest House in Accra.
If you ever come to Ghana and want to stay in the city, he's your man!

Our attempt at buying and bringing home a new mattress.
half way through mission taxi runs out of gas.
He runs ... we wait.

Zions -Thai Food Restaurant. Off Oxford Street in Osu, Accra

Surprising image of dinner in Africa?
There are many options of middle to upper class restaurants located throughout the city of Accra. You can find almost anything if you are willing to pay the price.

The journey is half the adventure

2011-07-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

A personal update from Ghana

As many who live in the city know, it can be nice to get away. We spent our first weekend in Ghana by heading out of the ever busy city of Accra in search of a beach and a beverage.

A group of us headed to the city centre to find a bus, car or tro-tro that could take us to our chosen destination - Estuary Beach Club at Ada Foah. When we arrived to an African style bus terminal, we were blown away by the organized madness. There were hundreds of vehicles, driving in every direction, men yelling here, women selling there. From a first-timers eye, it almost impossible to figure out even what direction you were facing let alone which vehicle was heading where. The locals, however, navigated around like it was nobody's business.

After attempting to locate signs, time tables or travel information, we finally accepted the guidance of one of the many local drivers who had been nagging and gabbing at our arms to give us a ride. We followed the driver to his car and negotiated a price. For 15 cedis each he would take us all the way to Ada Foah, which is located about 2 hours east of the city of Accra.

Once arriving in Ada Foah, we laid eyes on a busy street market. Similar to those in Accra, locals were selling items of all sorts - garments, tools, fresh fruit, burnt Cds, shoes and more. As we weren't in the mood for spending money we continued on to the beach side, and for an additional five cedis each we were driven directly to where we would catch a boat to the beachfront where we would be staying at Estuary Beach Club - where the Volta River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

As we grabbed our bags and exited the car, we decided to purchase some water to quench our thirst. As we did, we saw what is called a “chop bar” located beside the store, and thought 'Hey, what better way then with an ice cold beer!' Surely enough, it seems no matter where you are in the world, there is always cold beer.

We decided to be adventurous and try a taste at the chop bar, which is a small family run road side eatery. It's nothing fancy, usually extremely cheap and only has one dish on the menu. Today's choice: fufu in soup with meat. Fufu is a dough like substance made from pounding cassava while adding water.

Cheryl, friend and jhr intern, decided to give it a go, which the locals found quite entertaining. We made friends with one of the children as well as the owner, George. Once our meals arrived - feeling not as bold as we did when ordering - gave it a shot.

It was a ball of fufu, a piece of goat (chicken for Megan), covered in a soupy-like liquid. They provided us with a bowl of water to wash our hands and we were instructed to dig in – using our hands as utensils and the fufu to absorb the soup.

The only word to describe it was SPICY. By far one of the spiciest things ever – ever, ever!

We did our best, but unfortunately were not champions. We were unable to empty our dishes, which can be found as quite disrespectful (although clearly not our intention). We explained to the cooks how wonderful a meal it was, but that we filled up fast and, as newcomers, we were not quite used to the strength of the pepe (spice).

The chop bar had won.

We finished our beverages and followed George to the waterfront, where he said we would ride on a small boat, to a bigger boat, which would take us to our final location. As we set off we noticed we were heading towards a dredger ship, which was clearly not the boat that would be taking us anywhere.

As we climbed aboard we were introduced to two friendly Lebanese men who had been working on the dredger for the past seven months and would continue to for numerous months more. Staying vigilant, as always, we accessed the situations and agreed it was safe to stay. We discussed their work, past travel experience and opinions on Ghana.

Soon enough we decided it was time to go, as the sun sets early in Ghana, often as early as 6:30pm, and we wanted to be off the water well before then. We climbed off the dredger and headed towards the beach where we would be staying.

We pulled up and were greeted by a group of our local friends and jhr trainers. We ordered a delicious plate of chicken and rice - the everyday meal staple of Ghana - and enjoyed the sounds of the waves the bongos, the smell of the fresh air and cooked fish, and the company of good people.

Estuary Beach Club was breathtaking. We were surrounded by water and entertained with routines of local dance and music by the campfire.

As always, morning came to soon and it was time to go.

Which is an adventurous tale for another time :)

Ghana jhr crew at the chop bar in Ada Foah.

Owner of chop bar, George and friend.

Cheryl gives the fufu process a try.

The final product: lunch at the chop bar.

Myself and George on the boat to Estuary Beach Club.

Waterfront at Ada Foah.

Estuary Beach Club.

Our first week in Ghana and what a week it was!

2011-07-10T13:40:00.001-07:00

July 7, 2011

Until I arrived, it was difficult for me to imagine what my time in Ghana would be like.

What did Accra look like, sound like, smell like? Were the people friendly, was the city dark and dangerous? How should I dress, where do I go, how do I get there? What would we eat and how was the night life?

These of course, were all concerns in relevance to my personal life here in Ghana as opposed to my professional life and work load, we will have time to get into that later.

Since arriving only a week ago a lot of these concerns have been answered and any anxieties associated with them have calmed.

As mentioned in the previous blog, the traffic here in Accra is hectic. It was also the first thing I found completely mind boggling. The city is loud, very loud and all the time. There is a high level of pollution and each night I clean out my nose – thoroughly. The streets smell of exhaust and fire stoves and although lined with garbage, what I will remember most of Ghana is the beauty of the people. Pleasant and easily approachable, the locals value relationships and spend a lot of time communicating with one another. They do not hold back and verbal exchanges of agreement and/or frustration are openly expressed, and loudly. Many people will stop you to talk and I can't count how many times I have been asked, “can we be friends.” When unsure of where to go, as most streets do not have road signs and often people don't remember them anyhow, locals are always willing to guide you in the right direction. Even if the best they can go is insist on “ you go straight, straight,” they do their best and in many ways are right. For a short period of time, we must always walk straight.

On a personal note, we have spent the last week running in and out of appointments. We have met with the previous jhr interns and have been introduced to staff and students at the African University College of Communications (where I will be working with my colleague from Global News, Cheryl Oates), the reporters and news editorial staff at The Daily Guide (a private daily newspaper where Paul Carlucci, a Canadian colleague who worked in magazine and news writing, will be working), as well as staff from two local radio stations Joy FM and Citi FM. We have had the privilege of meeting staff at the UNHCR and staff of the non-profit organization The Peoples Dialogue. Both which are locally based international non-profit organizations working on poverty reduction and human rights issues within Accra.

Some of the week has been a blur – but we are coming around nicely. We have been meeting many interesting personalities, both in our placements and out and I am extremely looking forward to beginning work at the AUCC on Monday.

Tomorrow we hope to be moving out of the Kokomlemle Guest House, which has been amazing and is where we have been staying since our arrival, and into the house in which we will be staying for the remainder of our time in Accra.

View from our Guest House in Kokomlemle

View of average, everyday traffic from our cab window in central Accra

Garbage surrounding a stream heading through the city

Canada Day at the Canada High Commissions Office

2011-07-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

July 1, 2011

Just because we weren't in Canada didn't mean we weren't going to celebrate Canada Day.

Every first Thursday of the month the Canada High Commissions Office hosts an international get together, geared towards introducing expats from around the world and welcome them into the community. The July gathering was dedicated in honour of Canada's birth.

The Commissions office hosted a BBQ with Canadian beats and trivia. The property was great with a roofed patio, indoor bar and outdoor swimming pool. They had paper boat races and it was an opportunity for us to meet fellow Canadians working in Ghana.

As friends and family celebrated the festivities at home, we raised our glasses in Accra and gave thanks to our homeland from afar.

Cheryl and Michelle - celebrating Canada Day, eh!

Megan and Paul - Happy Canada Day from Ghana.

Spending my birthday in Ghana!

2011-07-10T10:24:00.001-07:00

June 29, 2011

One thing I must insist on highlighting is the way in which we celebrated two extremely important events; the days of birth for both myself and Canada.
The day we arrived in Ghana was June 29th, also my 23rd birthday. At first we were quite tired after a long term of travel and were not going to plan anything spectacular, especially since we had just arrived and were unaware of where to go.

Lucky for us we ran into former jhr intern and current freelancer with the Toronto Star Jessica McDiarmid, who was very familiar with Accra and was willing to show us the ropes. We made our way to Tawala, a beach side bar with straw tiki huts and tables in the sand. Every Wednesday is Reggae night and so the place was surrounded with the beats of musical heroes such as Bob Marley and Lee Perry. We drank Ghanaian beer and watched the locals gather around campfires made on the ocean's sand.

As the evening passed we were introduced to the local gin in celebration of the festivities. Although quite tasty, many compare it to a state of petrol.. let's just say it can be a little potent. Our crowd had grown and more locals had joined us, a good friend and jhr colleague Megan Ainscow, who will be travelling north of Accra to the city of Tamale to work at Diamond FM radio, thought it would be a great idea to restate the fact that it was my birthday. As I was sitting down a Ghanaian named Thomas reached across the table, for what I thought, was to cheers. To my surprise, beer started tipping out of his glass and onto my lap. Small at first, then a little more, and then a bit in my hair... Silly me, I thought he was simply intoxicated and failing at a toast so I stood up to help steady his glass. This is when the remaining content fell directly over my head and soaked my entire upper body. As the local crowd cheered and clapped, I saw the jaws of the interns drop and heard, “Thomas, no!! She's new!”

This is when I learned the local birthday ritual of pouring any liquid content over the head of the birthday girl or boy. Soaked and sticky, I still laughed. It was an interesting welcome to Ghana.

As the night continued the music got louder and the crowd grew larger. The tide moved in and began grabbing at our feet and the legs of our tables and chairs. Before we knew it we were dancing with our feet in the Ocean. It was a fantastic birthday celebration and great first impression of what the next six months in Accra hold in store.

Cheryl, Michelle and Megan. New jhr interns in Ghana.

Aftermath of being covered in beer. Sticky but smiling.

Celebrating my 23rd birthday with new friends at Tawala Beach, Accra, Ghana.

We've made it!

2011-07-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

After a week long of training, over 20 hours of travel and 5,000 miles we have reached what will be our home for the next 6 months in Accra, Ghana.

Accra is one of Africa's most democratic and modernly advanced countries. With an estimated population of 3,963,264 in 2011 with an estimate of an additional 3 million extending into the shanti communities surrounding the city center. Accra is internationally recognized as a leader of it's continent and was the first African country to gain independence in 1957 and was rpeviously known as the Gold Coast under the ruling of the United Kingdom.

As a first timer in Ghana, or Africa for that matter, stepping off the plane and being driven through the chaotic city streets of Accra was fast, exhilarating and chaotic. All of the streets are connected by one main road called the Ring Road and the traffic that builds here is unreal! There are next to no working street lights and the roads are rarely patrolled by police or law enforcements for safety purposes. It is not uncommon to be cut off, nearly sideswiped or approached by beggars and street vendors knocking on your window. From your vehicle window you can purchase anything from CD's, newspapers and soda to belts, posters and cell phones. Children ride in the front, the back and on laps without seat belts or car seats and there is no regulated emissions test furthering the extent of pollution.

Here in Accra the vehicles always have the right away, so pedestrians look out! African nations have the world's highest road traffic injury mortality rates in the world and traffic related accidents are one of the largest causes of injury related mortality in Ghana with 29.6 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Between watching for oncoming cars, potholes and open sewers and persistent street vendors, commuting through town can be a journey all of its own. With the consideration of these facts and many more, it is true what they say, everything in Ghana takes at least three times what it would back at home.

As previously mentioned, the city streets are filled with vendors and panhandlers. This serves as a main source of income for many families and is a large portion of the informal market and lower class economy. You can buy anything from jewellery, clothing, shoes, street food to electronics and more (especially cell phones and TONS of them!). We purchased our phones from a business who partners with a company in the UK and receives ship loads of used cell phones and resells them. This is a huge industry within Accra and throughout Ghana and is a useful way of recycling cellphones. Often many people have numerous phones as some service providers can be more or less accommodating based on your location. It is also extremely common to exchange digits, even with first time strangers and on average you may be asked a minimum of 5 to 10 times.

Strangers may also declare their love to you in the streets and ask you to wed. The requests are usually harmless and can be veered with a simple, “no thank you,” “next time,” or “my husband wouldn't like that.” But don't hesitate to be stern and assertive if your new friend is not getting the point.

The nightlife in the city is one which flourishes with energy. The music industry is quite active with local artists often taking the stage to perform. All music can be found depending on your taste and within the three nights we have been here we have danced with our feet in the Atlantic Ocean listening to Raggae music at a beach bar, jammed to the Bare Naked Ladies at the
Canada Day Celebration held by the Canada High Commissions Office and sipped wine while enjoying the sounds of local jazz and the most bad ass clarinet player I've ever heard!

Needless to say, Accra is full of life. Although it will take some getting used to and I will face many challenges along the way, I have no doubt I will adapt quickly and love it. My time here has just begun and I look forward to the adventures each day in Ghana will bring me.

My journey has just begun.

Please Note: Photos to come

Yet again...it's time for pre-departure!

2011-06-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

With a little less than a week to go before heading to Accra, Ghana for six months with Toronto based media-development organization Journalists for Human Rights, pre-departure preparations are wrapping up!

As when planning for any international travel, there are absolutes that must be taken care of. Some which may seem obvious and some which may be not so obvious. Once decided on the destination I like to arrange my preparation requirements into categories, it helps keeps me organized and focused!

To Do:

Travel Arrangements/Flight bookings/Accommodations

Visa/Travel Documents

Travel Doctor/Vaccinations and Medications

Travel/Health Insurance

Packing/What to bring

Personal - Where am I at? what do I expect?

Travel Arrangements/Flight bookings/Accommodations
With a consistently increasing interest in travel there are many options as to where to stay, who to fly with, when to go and so on. Check in with numerous travel agents and consult with friends and family who have travelled to the location in which you are heading to make sure you are arranging a trip that works best for your needs. Remember, everyone has a different opinion on what is 'absolutely the best' so make sure you ask a lot of questions to guarantee your satisfaction.

When finalizing your travel arrangements make sure to shop around for best prices and services. Secure exact dates and times and keep an accessible record of all travel contracts and documents (having an electronic copy in your email account eliminates the risk of losing or misplacing them).

Visa/Travel Documents
Visas and travel documents are extremely important and requirements may vary depending on the country you are visiting. Make sure to begin your research well in advance of your travels to limit stress, cost and possibility of not obtaining one. In many cases travel documents or visas are required to enter specific countries and without proper documentation you may be declines entry, which could clearly be the beginning and end to a very disappointing travel adventure.

Depending on the country and the consulate documents can take anywhere from same day (express) to numerous weeks. Make sure you have read and filled out the application form accordingly (sometimes even things such as writing in caps is essential!) and triple confirm you have included all of the required documents. Be sure to confirm visa expiration dates and renewal processes once in host country, as often the initial document must be revised upon landing. This step is extremely important and can sometimes be a stressful process so be prepared to check this one off your to do list in advance.

Please Note: Sometimes visas/specific travel documents are not required until arrival within host country, in which case lucky for you! Just make sure you understand the specific process of obtaining the documents when applicable.

Travel Doctor/Vaccinations and Medications
Similar to travel documents, often health preparations can be a lengthy (and sometimes expensive) process. Needless to say, this step is one of the most important as taking care of our personal health is always a main priority whether at home or abroad. Depending on your travel destination, and especially when travelling out of country, arrange an appointment with a travel doctor specific to your destination. Making a separate appointment with your family doctor or nurse practitioner many be useful as they have a stronger sense of your health history, may have additional insight and may have more time to discuss some of your health concerns in greater detail than your travel doctor.

Listen carefully to what the doctors say, ask questions and take notes if you feel it necessary. There will be a difference between vaccinations in which are required and medication which are a recommendation. Do your homework and understand your options; talk to friends and family whom are frequent travellers who you trust and gain a variety of insight into the matter. Health issues abroad are always something we would like to avoid but the next best thing is being prepared and knowing how to respond to them.

Travel/Health Insurance

As mentioned previously, this too depends on your destination. If you are travelling within province you may not have to worry if you are already insured for health coverage. If you are travelling out of province or out of country, it is always a good idea to confirm the agreements of your coverage to guarantee you have a strong understanding of what is and is not covered. For travellers going out of country this step is extremely important as some countries may not offer health coverage. If you have regular benefits you may already be covered so make sure to check the policies of your business/companies benefit coverage for the specifics of your trip. Often benefits will provide health coverage but not travel insurance. Discuss with a travel agent specific details of each policy before purchasing and make sure you are confident with your coverage. Often it is a good thing to think worse case scenario and see if you feel confident with your coverage, if so proceed, if not try a different package.

Packing/What to bring

This can be fun – and a pain! For those of us who are not so practical, we may end up bringing far too much. For those who like to pack light, may not bring enough. Pick your poison but make sure you are prepared to adapt to your load and please, bring the essentials. Many say less is more and when it comes to luggage of travel this is definitely true. Although having 5 options of outfits for each meal on your trip may be nice, remember you must carry this luggage, often in crowded areas.

The content in which you bring is what is essential. Make sure you have covered the basics from start to finish, beginning with appropriateness. When travelling consider the communities in which you will be visiting and pack accordingly to the cultural norms. For example; your attire would look differently travelling to the beach then it would a northern first nations community. The best place to start is clearly with research to gain an understanding of practicalities of your destination, such as climate, cultural customs and activities. Once you know the purpose of your travels (business vs travel , adventure vs. luxury) and what your trip's agenda may include you can begin packing accordingly, especially in combination with the findings of your research.

Always Remember:

Please Note: The list below is a vague description of commonly used items, regardless of destination. For a proper, more effective packing list plan according to the descriptions listed above based on the specifics of your location.

-Underwear and socks
-Pajamas
-Light Sweater

-Heavy sweater/jacket
-Comfortable walking shoes
-Camera (I-pod, computer... don't forget the chargers!)
-Toiletries (including any medications)
-Travel Documents
-Cash, debit and credit
-Dress clothes/Evening outfit (just in case, you never know who may invite you out to dinner!)
-A day bag (makes day travelling more convenient)
-First aid kit
-Notebook/travel log
*Any required comfort items or specifics from home

A common recommendation is to have the essentials for at least one day and one night in your carry on in case, by chance, your luggage does not find its way to your destination. This happens far too often and those who have their toothbrush and an extra set of underwear are always happy they thought ahead!

Personal/Where am I at?
For me, one of the most essential steps in preparing for pre-departure, especially for long durations, is acknowledging where I am at. This could mean numerous things depending on the individual. Often when I engage in travel it is to learn about a new culture which inevitably involves certain instances of confusion, discomfort, struggle, irritation, denial, sometimes anger, acceptance and celebration.

Understanding where I am at mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually will help me to stay grounded and move forward in identifying my needs abroad as well as my fears and possible struggles. Through identifying these obstacles it makes it possible to establish a plan to overcome these challenges, enabling the highest level of success and enjoyment for your adventures abroad.

Often it can help to document this process. Whether it be in a public forum such as an online blog or simply for personal use such as a journal, diary or travel log!

Going to Ghana

2011-06-06T20:48:00.000-07:00

Upon completion of the eight month International Support Worker program, I have received job confirmation that will take me to Accra, Ghana working with Journalists for Human Rights at the African University College of Communications.

I will be working in the position of a Rights Media Educational Officer where my job will consist of working with journalism professors and students to create human rights and good governance curriculum as well as rights based media and media community forum. I will also be working with the AUCC Journalists for Human Rights School Chapter networking with local, national and international media houses as well as numerous non-profit, social organizations and government bodies. Together, we will also be putting together awareness campaigns, fundraisers and community events.

____________________________________________

Ghanaians celebrate in Accra during ceremonies marking independence from Britain. Ghanaians turned out in their thousands Tuesday for colourful ceremonies marking independence from Britain 50 years ago when the country became the first black African state to break the bonds of colonial rule.((Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

I will be heading to Toronto on June 20th, along with 7 other journalists from across Canada and around the world to take part in a week long pre-departure training session with jhr staff at head office.

I invite you to join me on my journey through Ghana, from start to finish, to learn about culture, safe travel, human rights and international support work.

Join me on Facebook at -Think Glocal- .

Many thanks!

Michelle Newlands
-Think Glocal- Editorial

Zapatistas Flood San Cristóbal by the Thousands, Join Call to Stop the War

2011-05-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

By Natalie Long, glasgowchiapassolidaritygroup

Saturday's Silent March in Chiapas Was Prelude to Sunday's Convergence in Mexico City

May 8, 2011

On Saturday the Zapatistas, The Other Campaign, and members of the civil society of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas took to the streets, conducting a silent march that proceeded from the northwestern part of the city to the town center.

With participants numbering in the thousands, this march was held in solidarity with a larger, nationwide march that is currently taking place. The nationwide march started in Cuernavaca, Morelos this past Thursday, March 5, and will arrive Sunday in Mexico City.

The larger nation-wide march is largely due to the efforts of renowned Mexican poet Javier Sicilia. This past March 28, Sicilia’s son was founded dead near Cuernavaca, Morelos, with the body showing signs of torture prior to his death. Roughly a week after his son’s death, Sicilia published a letter in the Mexican magazine Proceso on April 3, denouncing the system of violence in Mexico. In this letter, Sicilia stated that Mexicans were “hasta la madre” (“had it up to here”) with the violence and corruption present in their country, and he called for the mobilization of civil society to reclaim Mexico for its citizens. His most recent call for mobilization is that of the ongoing march, also known as the Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity.

Read Full Story

The re-entry process: reverse culture shock

2011-03-08T19:14:00.000-08:00

After five powerful and liberating weeks of experiential learning in Mexico, we have arrived back in Canada. The flight seemed shorter this time and in many ways stepping off the plane and onto the soil of my home country was just as shocking as taking the steps onto Mexican soil 38 days ago.

Our return for me was quite overwhelming; being surrounded by an English-speaking majority, with eager travels coming from beach holidays and business endeavors. Young children wailing on the floors and young men and women dressed to the nines, wearing their sunglasses inside at night. Within the airport everything seemed to sparkle - the ceilings, the walls, the counters, the floors. The bathrooms were so clean you could eat in there, although of course no one did, and on each of the bathroom stalls free wii-fi throughout the entire airport was advertised, even there on the toilets; this way no one would have to miss even a minute of work.

As I used the bathroom, without my computer, I was impressed to see a toilet seat. I looked around for the garbage can to dispose of the paper as we had done in Mexico, forgetting it was no longer expected and after the automatic flush of the toilet I was able to use the hottest of waters to wash my hands. Walking back to the group, a few of us stopped to take our first drink of Canadian water from the fountain that provided free drinking water. Many of us did it not because we were necessarily thirsty, but because here we could. We would no longer have to rely on purchasing bottled water to guarantee safe drinking water, as the people of Mexico must do everyday, or they take the risk of getting sick.

After stopping at Tim Horton’s to silence our stomachs, where the vegetables weren’t fresh and the coffee not nearly as good as our host state of Chiapas, we headed down one of the most traveled highways, the 401, back to Belleville. It felt if we were floating down the road compared to traveling the streets of Mexico, where cars would cut you off or stop abruptly to allow more passengers to enter. There were no speed bumps, roadblocks or migrating pigs or goats in the middle of the lane and everything surrounding us looked so big and so distant from the window of my seat it looked like it must be in the far distance, but it wasn’t. It was right in front of me. Every time I return home I am reminded of how much space we have here in Canada. Everything seems wider, more spacious and in many ways much colder, and I’m not only talking about the temperature that was -5 as opposed to +20 and the banks of piled snow, which replaced the coconut trees and flower bushes. It was the distance between people that made things seem cold, and the one-way paths of all those surrounding us. It seemed lonelier here at home than it did in Mexico. A classmate of mine said it was like stepping out of a movie that was in colour into a new one of only black and white; it was true.

As we sat on the bus sharing our experiences and reflecting on our journey in our neighbouring country, we could see the school approaching in the distance. As we pulled up we saw the silhouettes of our friends and family there to meet us. We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways back to our homes.

As I walked the three flights of stairs and entered my apartment I had never felt so comfortable to be home but yet like such a stranger in my own space. Things looked different, felt different. The energy was stale and the walls looked bare. I felt like I had come back to a space where someone else had been living.

After I took a minute to simply sit and think, I walked to the kitchen table and rummaged through the mail that awaited me. Income tax statements, bills, a membership renewal for The Council of Canadians, a reminder that I had forgot to pay March rent – oops! And a letter from my grade eight teacher.

I needed to take a few more minutes before I could tackle them.

I walked into my bedroom to see a pink envelope leaning on my pillow with a card inside from my mum and a vase of flowers on my windowsill. I had asked her to visit my apartment, make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything plugged in or turned on and to water my plants while my roommate and I were both away. I opened the letter, which was a warm welcome written with love. I began to empty my bag and walked to the fridge to store away the Oaxacan cheese I had managed to bring home – don’t worry it lasts longer without refrigeration than cheese in Canada, I promise – when I opened what I was expecting to be an empty fridge, it was filled with fruits, vegetables, juice, milk, eggs and all the necessities of a family. I truly have the best mum in the world!

What happened next was strange, and I thought for a while if I would share it. As I looked at my full fridge, clean apartment and view through my window, I started to cry. I was overwhelmed with gratitude, comfort and compassion but also with displacement and privilege. I have learned the life I live and this reality in which is mine, in many ways, is no reality at all.

As I contemplated wither or not to turn on my space heater before crawling into bed, I decided to once again just take a moment to sit. I sat quietly, closed my eyes and gave thanks for everything that I had experienced, all that I had learned and everything in which I am blessed with.

As I curled up into bed – the one I had secretly been missing the comfort of - I realized these things I would also have to relearn and would too, take some adjustment.

The Tree of Life - in a place called Tule

2011-03-08T13:55:00.001-08:00

There is something about sitting beside a tree that is over 1500 years old that makes life beautiful. Today that’s what three of us ISW girls did, went to visit the 1500 year old Tree of Life in a small town called Tule, about 30 minutes outside of Oaxaca City.

We traveled in a collectivo to the small town of Tule to sit on a bench where many people from all over the world have sat before, simply to admire the beautiful gift in which Mother Nature had given; The Tree of Life, with its trunk stretching 11meters in diameter and it’s upper branches housing hundreds of singing birds, butterflies and creatures. Regardless of its struggles, the fights of furry with the wind and battles to withstand mankind, this tree had survived growing higher and becoming stronger each day.

It seemed as though the width of the tree stretched across the earth and the branches reached into the sky. Although some of the trees in the jungle would give this one a run for its money in size, The Tree of Life has years and with years comes wisdom; even within a tree.

There is something about sitting beside this tree that makes the world seem a little smaller. To think once upon a time, there was only nature and land surrounding this beautiful tree and now it has a neighbouring Spanish colonial cathedral and is surrounded by a tourist town to accommodate travelers, like us, who pass through to admire. Many say the Tree of Life is now

in danger of survival, as natural resources in the area are running low, they have created a town surrounding this tree, taking the water from the land and nutrients from the soil.

This tree is sacred, and to many people represents the power of life, beauty and strength. Lets hope humans can recognize this and keep the Tree of Life alive….

Our adventure has brought us to Oaxaca

2011-02-28T09:05:00.001-08:00

Coming from the small coastal town of Puerta Arista, where after three days the locals know you by name, the city of Oaxaca is a big change.

The streets are lively and lined with shops and vendors, mainly of jewelry and local food delicacies. The streets are wider and busier here compared to the smaller cobble stone streets of San Cristobal and the indigenous population is drastically less within the city center and it took until mid-afternoon before I was able to clearly identify numerous of the traditional dress of the indigenous peoples within Oaxaca.

There are barely any street dogs, although the piles of garbage that clog some streets take their place by the double. Everything here seems to be that much more modern than the other cities we have spent time in while in Mexico. The grove of the city seems to follow the beat of the north much closer than that of the southern state of Chiapas.

There is definitely more wealth within the city of Oaxaca, or perhaps we have just not traveled far enough outside. The majority of children are running around in clean clothes playing with one another or chewing on their treats purchased from the Zocalo. The military presence is drastically lower as well, in fact we have seen many police but have yet to come across clearly identified military. And people seem to be in much of a hurry, even for an early Saturday.

We spent numerous hours walking through one of the largest street markets I’ve ever visited, with the possibility of getting lost quite high and the odds of being hit by a bicycle or cart vendor even more likely, in fact almost guaranteed to happen numerous times within your first ten visits, or at least until you’ve realized these aisles are just as hectic and temptingly dangerous as the streets outside.

The market was filled with jewelry, clothing, shoes, electronics, burnt CD’s and DVD’s, hand-made furniture, hair and makeup accessories, fresh fruits, vegetables and poultries, including fresh chicken with feet, heads and hearts remaining but the most breathtaking of all items within the market were the handmade and hand-painted pottery. Specific to the area, the majority of the pottery had a green cover to it due to the way it is heated. Some had hand-painted flowers or designs with numerous representations. Some of the pottery was small and included things such as mugs and ashtrays and others were so large you could fit a small child in them, although not the purpose. As I walked through the market looking over the unique and beautiful artisan work, I couldn’t help pick out the items for my ‘ideal dream house’ which would be filled with all native art, design and colour of Mexico and built within one of the many green valleys the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca or Morelos has to offer.

Although the city is beautiful, it may be a little too close to home and reminds me of many European cities, with many people responding and discussing in English around us, with almost all luxuries within the city center geared toward the wealthy tourists. Many things are double the cost they would have been in Chiapas and many of the visual aesthetics remind me more of the colonial Spaniards than traditional Mexico. Although it is a beautiful twist of both, we are going to spend the next few days taking day-trips to visiting communities and will return just in time for the famous reputation of Oaxaca dishes.

Palenque to the Pacific Coast

2011-02-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

I forgot how cold the nights could get in the city of San Cristobal, tonight I am quickly reminded. Thank goodness we are beach bound.

After a day of touring Palenque, one of the most historic and well-known pyramid sites of Mexico, we stopped in San Cristobal for our last sleep as a whole group in Mexico. Although I had been before, the ruins of Palenque were just as shockingly stunning as the first time. The design and architecture so complex, the hieroglyphic’s lining the walls, ceilings and archways telling the stories of the ancient Mayan past and the tales of jewels and gems found within the caskets and tombs of past rulers and kings and queens. The images of the exploration to discover these hidden treasures rush through my imagination and the idea that at one time these ruins housed an entire civilization, thousands of years ago only to be completely consumed by the life of the jungle. The thought that there are hundred more similar to Palenque, perhaps not as grand, hidden all throughout Mexico, Central and Southern America.

It’s interesting to consider that perhaps, thousands of years from now, our ancestors will be discovering the ruins of our civilization, trying to unwind the tale of our disappearance and or migration. As there is no doubt that within their time, the civilizations of Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilan and others were developed and many cannot agree as to why they no longer stand tall, inhabited by people.

I have heard many stories; attacks by rivaling cities, peasants rising to conquer the leaders, some say they disappeared by aliens or rampant disease and others believes natural resources such as food and sufficient water ran out and people were forced to migrate, eventually mixing with other cultures and moving away from their direct heritage of the Mayan.

With all of this in mind, it is time for me to splendor the last evening with my group as a whole. It is time to indulge in a beverage and a game of cards with my roommate and good friends as we have one more reflection of our adventures together in Chiapas before heading in our separate ways. For some it is Guatemala, Mexico City, Cuernavaca or back to Canada. For myself and two Compañeros, it is the Pacific Beaches of Puerta Arista, then backpacking our way to Mexico City, stopping in Oaxaca and any place else that catches our eye.

Goodbye to the Lacondon

2011-02-26T08:44:00.000-08:00

As we drove out of the most beautiful and breathtaking places I’ve ever experienced, I felt the butterflies beginning to dance around in my stomach.

Yet again, thankful for the opportunity but sad to leave, I gave thanks for all I had been privileged to experience within my time in the jungle.

For sharing moments of honesty and growth with a group of people who had come so far together and for the strangers who had shared a piece of their history and livelihood with us, who welcomed us and had became our companions.

For the moments of appreciated clarity, beauty and reflection while sitting in a waterfall that had flowed for hundreds of years. For the breathes of pure, fresh air that allowed my mind to clear and my thoughts and spirit to heal as we walked through the thick and lush brush of the jungle trails in the last remaining rainforest in Mexico.

To the sounds of the forest who sang us to sleep and welcomed us into each new day, and for teaching us that time is something that we can own and our lives can be all that we dream them to be.

To Yachilan, Bonampak and and Palenque which took us back to a different place in time to learn of our ancestors and the constant struggle, strength and genius of people throughout time within all civilizations.

I gave thanks to the silence in which spoke so loud, so strong and taught me about the world around me and of myself. And as I sat quietly, looking out of the window, we passed a van of people entering the jungle and I gave thanks to them and hoped they would feel the same empowerment and peace that I had as they entered one of the most beautiful and breathtaking places I have ever experienced.

It was at that moment I realized I was leaving the jungle a different person than when I had arrived. There is something about the jungle that does the spirit good.

The rainforest - beautiful, complex and mysterious

2011-02-21T21:11:00.001-08:00

Four days in the jungle complete. My lungs are cleared, my skin is fresh and my spirits are high. There is something about the jungle air that makes a person glow.

Our days were spent hiking through thick jungle brush, swimming in beautiful, crystal clear, aqua blue water, visiting ancient ruins, being reborn through an ancient Mayan temescal and visiting numerous excavated, and undiscovered, ruins.

During our hike our guide, Victor, described the history of the jungle and taught us the meanings and purposes of each plant. Some for healing headaches, clearing cuts, removing colds soar, cleansing tea, insect repellents, making furniture, creating natural dies and some for spiritual rituals. He taught us of the different flowers and when they bloom, identified birds by their sounds and explained the paths of the rivers, when they were highest and when they would run dry.

He introduced us to a 600-year-old Ceiba tree, known to the native Mayans as the Tree of Life, it’s branches reaching to the Gods in the sky and it’s roots seeping below the earth towards the Gods of the underworld. We explored the undiscovered ruins of the Laconja people, who were conquered by the Mayan people of Bonampak over some1000 years ago, their city secrets lost beneath the depth of the forest.

In the nights we would fall asleep under our bug nets to the sounds of the crickets and flowing rivers beside our open cabins, often waking to the sounds of the howler monkeys and their packs near by. We would take day trips to the nearby ruins that are run by the original native peoples of the land and listen to the tales of their past as told to them by their grandfathers. Of the bird who was struck by lighting and the serpent nearby who gained his feathers and was recognized as the reincarnation of a God. On our return stopping to photograph the miles of ants carrying leafs to their Queen and greeting the women and young ladies who line the paths selling handmade jewelry of different seeds.

In the mornings we’d wake early and walk along the roads that have been traveled by so many and meet with the young set of cousins, ages 7 and 9, who live nearby and travel to the small store, ‘tienda’ each and every day. They were beautiful, strong and fearless.

It is no wonder so many people from around the world want access to these lands. They are rich in resources and it is shameful these lands and their people can be exploited and sold for capital gain. They are purchased for profit and are now nearly extinct. Once being the home and life support of millions of civilizations, these treasures are running thin and the devastation that has occurred within them is at the point of irreversible.

The Mayan people, so eager to share and so eager to teach, have had their lands captured by greed of individuals and corporations. It has destroyed parts of their heritage and continues to strip them of their cultural lifestyle and identity. As forests continue to be destroyed for resources, logging, cattle farming and foreign profit, an entire civilization of people will suffer the effects. It is inhuman and it should be so widely accepted. I have learned the fate of people lay in the hands of each and every one of us. It is the responsibility of all people to defend those who are being exploited, manipulated and taken advantage of. I hope for these people, for they are amazing and how shared with me a part of our world I would never have known, never have understood without them. To the blind eye it may appear as a gathering of trees, nothing more. But within lies an entire existence that is beautiful, complex and mysterious. As each of us is unique, each tree, each bird and each bug places it’s role in the cycle of life that has been present on this planet much longer than we as humans.

It was the plants and the trees that welcomed us to life, and not the other way around. They breathe life for us and yet we are so quick to take it from them.

It is sad that we, as people, have missed the mark on this one and it is time we repay the forest for all it has given us.

Goodbye to San Cristobal de las Casas

2011-02-17T03:57:00.000-08:00

As our time in San Cristobal comes to an end, I find myself stuck in two places; excited for the journey and adventures ahead yet still sad to say goodbye.

My experiences in this city have been amazing and although not always easy, I will forever be thankful for what this place has given me. Within my time here I have learned the value of honest relationships, of being open minded and committed. I have learned to overcome cultural barriers, such as language and to fall asleep each night thankful of my opportunities and accepting of my disadvantages.

I have learned the complexities and different definitions of struggle, and that one’s challenges in life are no greater and no less than those of any one else’s. All people in life struggle and it is possible to overcome those struggles and be a stronger, more compassionate and competent person. I have learned to overcome these struggles and to express them with pride, and share them with others not as a victim but as a way of healing can be empowerment.

I have learned the strength of community and when people work together they can overcome all odds and all obstacles. It is within solidarity that we become unified as a strong, wise body of individuals.

I have learned so much gets lost in translation; from a feeling to a though, to a sentence and into a story, an article, a photograph or a different language. Often the value and meaning of the message can be lost and sometimes the strongest bonds can be made through silence and a smile but I hope I don’t miss the value of ones meaning within it’s presentation.

I have learned to better understand others you must first understand yourself. I have learned we must respect all people for our differences and similarities, as we are all unique and contribute to the cycle of life in our own way and as equals.

I have learned that life is complex and it can be difficult but it is important to take time to recognize the beauty of our existence and in that which goes on around us.

I have learned the importance to share laughter, struggles, celebration, love. To be true to ourselves but acknowledge our impacts on people and the environments around us.

I have learned not one person can ever know it all, regardless of age, class, gender or race and that it is the desire to learn and to experience in which true wisdom is created.

Each time I return I learn Mexico is a beautiful and rich country, with so many elements to offer the world. I have learned it is not fair to judge a country from such a distance and that it is much easier to point the finger of blame than it is to lift it in support of that which we do not yet understand.

I have learned the value of friendship and of family. We do not have to come from the same place to have experiences the same feelings and thoughts and we do not have to be blood to consider one another a structure of support, and isn’t that what family is suppose to be all about.

Beyond everything I have learned, I leave this place with a feeling; a feeling of growth, understanding, satisfaction and contentment. Although our time here has been short, what I have experiences will last a lifetime. I will always look back on our time in this magnificent part of such a greater picture with fond memories and peace of mind.

To the people at the Treehouse, thank you for allowing us your space to reflect and learn.

To our Mexican family, thank you for your hospitality, your kindness and above all your friendship.

To the friends I have made, I will never forget you and thank you for helping me learn about myself and a culture in a way I could never have previously understood.

To each individual we have met along our way, thank you for being part of our journey and for allowing us the opportunity to learn with you, to know you and be part of each other’s lives.

To the city of San Cristobal de las Casas, I will miss you and will always hold you in high regard.

Gracias, Chiapas.

And now on to the Lacondon……

A journey to Teopisca and a day in relationship building

2011-02-13T20:58:00.000-08:00

People come in all different colours, shapes and sizes, each with their own unique qualities and contributions to life. Similar to human diversity, within nature there is biodiversity, with each plant a different colour, shape and size contributing to the natural cycle of life in it's own unique way.

Today we traveled by combi to a village called Teopisca a small city a little more than an hour outside of San Cristobal. The group then split into the backs of two pick up trucks and drove higher into the surrounding mountains where we would meet with a group of international volunteers hosted by non-profit organization Natate, where we would be introduced to the projects we would be working on for the remainder of the day. The journey to the project was a adventure within itself, bouncing around on uneven terrain, getting stuck in potholes and having to get out and push the truck back onto the placed concrete tracks.

Once we arrived we were greeted and began our introductions by playing a game. We were to share our name, favourite hobby and food with the group (in Spanish of course) and then chose the person to follow by shooting that energy across the circle and towards the new person with your hands.

The camp was a piece of land donated by a married Mexican man and German women who say the land does not belong to them but to all visitors and volunteers who choose to come and work, learn and engage in relationship with one another and the the land.

We received a tour of the property where they are working to create a self-sustainable community. They live without electricity and have built a home out of Adobe bricks, with counters and accessories made from the trees. They have built a water collector, chicken coop, natural compost and fertilizers, organic gardens, green houses and dry toilets.

Our host Juan, introduced us to the concepts of universal relationships and shared how all objects play a role in the natural cycle of life. When understood, all beings can work together to support and sustain one another. He spoke of the importance of understanding ones worth and says it is important for things to have more than only one purpose, for when they do they only have two options, either they fail or succeed. When things are complex they are multifunctional, they create options and it is our responsibility to explore and discover these options for the most effective and efficient uses.

Juan asked us about our scent. As individuals, or as Canadians, what was it. We were asked to think about what that meant to us and to think of how humans use their senses and the extent of their purposes; sense of smell, sight, taste, touch. Animals, for example, rely on the strength of their sense of smell for survival where as people have minimized this purpose and worth. He passed around small pieces of different flowers, plants and herbs, as he explained how each of them has their own scent and how each person has their own scent and if we were to consider these scents as different species, how many species there would be in one city, one country and in the world.

Today we learned a new concept of waste, and what waste is or what it is not. We learned how things can be used for different purposes and what we take from the land can eventually be returned to the land and befit other types of existence. We learned how feces could simply be considered as ‘crap’ or how it could be considered as a fertilizer, and nurturer of the plants and animals in which we will then feed. We were challenged to consider the effects of why our feces sometimes does not nurture plants and support the land to consider the things in which we are putting into our body and to find healthy alternatives.

Once we were introduced to the system in which this community had created, we split into three smaller groups and got to work on different projects. One consisting of creating a house of sticks for the chickens, the other cultivating and planting an organic onion garden and the third building abode blocks from scratch.

I joined the group of adobe and was soon up to my knees in a learning experience I will never forget. The process consisted of collecting pine needles from the near by woods, grabbing mud from a pond created by a flood the previous year, adding small pieces of raked dirt to the pile and blending it with our feet. The mud consisted of many natural nutrients including iron and once dried, acts as a strong building block.

Once we gathered materials, blended them together with our feet and threw clay at each other, we shoveled and cupped the clay into a wheel barrow, put it into molds, added designs and left it to dry. It usually takes one to two full days before the adobe is dry and strong enough to build with.

The process may sound simple but after more than two hours of work we had created only 18 adobe blocks, which in the big picture was nearly nothing. It helped us appreciate the value of the work and understand how hard people must work to accomplish things. It was rewarding to have done it as a team and empowering to have gained a new tangible skill.

Once our project was finished, I joined the other group in the onion garden, planting pieces of life within the ground. Two classmates and I reminisced over the tranquility and therapeutic advantages of working within nature. A friend of mine who grew up in Africa said it reminded her of being home, and of how her Grandmother always used to make her water their garden at home and how she had never enjoyed it as much as she did now, now that she had learned to appreciate it. We crouched close to the ground and discussed relationships, friends, family and our futures as we planted what would with time be the food of our new friends who lived in this community.

Next we washed our hands, faces and feet in the natural spring river as others prepared our lunch over the fire stove. Each person having a role, even if it was just good company or 'supervising'.

Some of the volunteers had traveled from France, Germany, Spain, Japan, Canada and other provinces within Mexico to learn about the relationship between humans and nature and how our actions impact the land. We were again privileged to experience a way of life in which was unique and rich in so many ways. We were able to meet with people from all corners of the world and work with them as a team and to build relationships with others who are interested in creating positive change.

I think of all days, this has been my highlight thus far.

One day I hope to return.

ps - I also half fell in the river.... but it was cool

2011-02-13T19:03:00.001-08:00

Our second day on the project - my legs are starting to enjoy it. I have never been one for physical labour, and although the act of picking up garbage isn’t very strenuous in itself, the 4 hours of constant hiking up, down and through thick forest can be.

Today we focused on cleaning out the river, which means after an hour of hiking through unmarked path we got to get our boots wet. I could not believe the amount of garbage that we found, the majority of which were pop bottled of Coca Cola –not necessarily to my surprise. We spent numerous hours filling up bags and discussing the current issues surrounding proper waste in Mexico. There is currently no government supported recycling projects or plants and many indigenous communities have yet to fully understand the damage of waste on the land and environment.

Before industrialization, people were able to dispose of their waste naturally, as the majority of products came from the land and were able to self decompose. The waste would then be used to fertilize and it was a natural cycle. Since the majority of populations now use packaged products, the concept of ‘waste’ and pollution is still widely misunderstood. Leo, the local employee of the educational park, discussed with us in details the problems that occur from this and the need for new implementation of proper waste disposal. Many indigenous communities do not understand that products, such as plastic, cannot naturally breakdown and that it is dangerous to land and waste resources.

Another difficulty we learned existed in the park was the issue of logging. There are three small indigenous communities that surround the park territory, and problems with logging have become quite frequent. These communities use the logging to build homes and to gain employment, but have yet to accept the rules of the park. When asked, Leo said besides the lack of understanding with regards to the environmental damage of logging, part of the problem is there is more money in logging then there is in working directly for the park. We were told the park tried to make agreements with the communities where they could have access to log certain trees and although the communities agreed, are not abiding to the agreement.

We discussed the relationship between the park and the communities to try and understand if some of these issues could be resolved through effective communication. Although the park does employ a quantity of people from within these communities, it is often seen as offensive when the topics of waste disposal and logging are brought up, as in the past these have been aspects of indigenous culture. We asked about the different programs and learning opportunities for schools and families to come and engage in educational projects and we received the name of the Programs Coordinator at the park, who we will hopefully be meeting with Monday to learn about the different programs they have in place, such as the preservation of native plants such as flora and fauna and any plans for the future.

All in all, it was another great learning experience and having the opportunity to discuss these matters while being surrounded by nature was much appreciated. After spending a total of 8 hours picking up garbage, I am now noticing the quantities of waste EVERYWHERE and have since realized the necessity of programs that implement and encourage proper waste disposal, recycling, reusing and compost. I’m looking forward to returning to Canada and learning more about current projects that are directed to these issues and seeing how they compare and could be implemented in Mexico.

Our light-labour projects in the mountains of Chiapas

2011-02-10T22:30:00.000-08:00

I’m not sure if today really happened, as I spent four hours in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico with a group of international volunteers picking up garbage at an education park in the rain during the dry season.

Our day began at 8:00am where myself and four other ISW students met with Thomas, a Belgian volunteer and Ricko, a Japanese volunteer, in front of the Revolution café to get picked up by the parks combi. San Jose’s educational park is a natural reserve of mild forest and is part of the Natural History Institute of Chiapas. This is where we will be working for the next four days as part of our light-labour project. The seven of us next jumped in the back end of a truck that had the front already full of three other people. We continued through San Cristobal, picking up three more park employees on the way.

We had offered to come early in order to get a head start on the day, but by the time we did the rounds and picked everyone up we arrived just on time – good thing the boss was driving.

As we drove higher and higher into the mountains surrounding San Cristobal even our Canadian bones, familiar to the cold, began to feel chilled as we sat exposed to the wind. With our toques and fleece jackets, we squeezed together to make room for everyone in the back of the combi and it was kind of nice to have an excuse to sit close together, as it was secretly keeping me warm without having to ask to cuddle my classmates.

The entire drive took about an hour and allowed us to look out over the city of San Cristobal. We passed small villages along the sides of the mountain and I couldn’t help but imagine what life must be like for those who live there. Some living in adobe homes, others in small simple concrete squares surrounded by livestock and dry vegetation. It would be a day’s journey to descend into the city to retrieve basic essentials and return.

When we arrived at the park there was a thick content to the air and it felt as though we were walking through midst of clouds. This morning things were wet and although I packed a small rain jacket, I was convinced I would not have to use it in Mexico and obliviously left it at home. I suppose its purpose was solemnly to protect the maple syrup we brought from Canada for our Mexican family.

Yesterday when we arrived at the park we had an introduction to our projects and today we finished the tour of the grounds and got to work. The job consisted of hiking up, down through and around bike and hiking trails picking up any sorts of garbage. It was definitely a work out but was mentally undemanding. While doing this work I discussed with a classmates some of our own personal significant learning experiences since we arrived in Mexico. We shared insight as to what skills we feel we have gained, experiences we won’t forget and things we hope for our future. The best part of this discussion was recognizing we had created more than an understanding of each other but a friendship, as in the beginning of the year we would barely discuss the weather yet share intimate details of our life experiences.

As we moved along from past to present, we began discussing some of the things we recognized within the project that caught our attention. Some items were things such as:

-The lack of understanding and initiative to promote recycling and proper waste disposal. (Not necessarily at fault of the park, we filled over 8-10 LARGE garbage bags and were told they do this about two times a week.)

-The need for educational programs within all levels of schools and the benefits that would allow having children and youth involved with natural conservation, recycling and proper waste reduction (Children come to look at the animals in the ‘zoo’ learn about habitats, plants and play, but could benefit from an hour of garbage picking to understand waste does not just go away and to learn about the process of proper land use, waste reduction, etc. After spending time picking up others waste, you may often think twice before throwing your own on the ground again.)

-The need to re-evaluate the use of the parks ‘zoo’ (There are numerous animals that live throughout Chiapas and have come mainly from the Tuxtla zoo, but do not belong in mountainous climates or such captivated environments. The park is in the process of rebuilding larger cages but could greatly benefit from creating natural breeding grounds for animals that belong in such mountainous climates as opposed to those who don’t.)

Although cleaning garbage is something that we could do in Canada, I feel there is a lot to learn from this project and I hope tomorrow we will have the opportunity to ask the big-guys some of our more in-depth questions that volunteers and lower level staff were unable to answer. Personally, I am interested in discussing the possibilities of working in collaboration with local schools to implement programs where students, youth, adults and their families can come and learn about proper waste disposal, recycling, composting, the environment and natural habitats of animals.

I can recall as a child in Canada going to ‘The Outdoor Education Center,’ in Northumberland County. There we learned the basics of waste disposal, recycling, reusing, respecting habitats of natural ecosystems and learning about nature without keeping species captive. During our four hours of clean up I thought back to those experiences and thought of how great it would be for the guide at the Outdoor Ed Center Mark (chic-a-dee-dee-dee) to come to this Mexican conservation area and work in collaboration to implement similar programs here. I recall saying today I would much rather see droppings from an animal that was free than the animal itself stuck in a cage (Often at the outdoor-ed center animal droppings and tracks were as close as we would get because the animals ran free).

Although there is a lot of work to be done, I am optimistic as ISW students we will be able to use this learning opportunity to the best of our ability. Tomorrow we return to the park, this time taking the collectivo so we can grab an extra 20 minutes rest, to clean out the rivers of garbage and begin clearing and marking hiking and bike paths.

As tiring as it is, another day of noiseless scenery and company of good people will be nice. Hopefully tomorrow we will have an opportunity to look closer into the details of the conversation park and their plans for the future.

Perhaps I will bring my raincoat just to guarantee it won’t come again.

Business as a form of empowerment

2011-02-10T17:31:00.001-08:00

Something we as International Support Workers must learn to be comfortable with is the exchange of money. Whether it be from a donor to an organization, government funding towards a project or a pay cheque to a support worker; the exchange of money is inevitable in all fields of work, including this one.

Over the course of this program I have become more confident and comfortable with the exchange of money, especially in terms of co-operative business and social business. I have learned in order for things to exist, somewhere down the line there had to of been a minimum exchange of a few dollar bills.

Through speaking with others in the field of international support work, I have learned ‘business’ is not something to fear and when used properly, can be to the benefit of all parties involved.

In this program we have critically analyzed the systems of fair-trade, direct-trade, social business and cooperatives. We have explored examples of where business can be used to empower individuals and support entire communities. As a class, we went to visit a coffee shop co-operate and received a history of coffee plantations within Mexico. We learned of the horrible abuse and mistreatment towards indigenous workers on these plantations in the early 1900s where all coffee plantations were owned by European foreigners and the indigenous were used as slave labourers on the properties. We learned that after the Mexican Revolution in 1910, the people reclaimed these lands and used these plantations in a cooperative effort to support all involved; from the planting of the seed to the selling of the cup.

I am learning that business is a major part of support and development work and it can be crucial to understand the basic elements. I may choose to be oblivious to it, but business will go on around me and I will be unaware of how it is being used and who is benefiting.

In the ISW program, I have learned to become comfortable in a business role and am able to make decisions based on the best use and most productive purposes. If I am choosing this type of work as a living, and want to completely engage myself in the activities, there must eventually, and inevitably be an exchange of money both for my own survival and purpose of any organization I am part of. I do not say this out of ignorance or arrogance, but out of the clarity that business is a natural cycle of survival and I must include my own actions within this cycle in order to keep up with the required demands. By choosing to take part in business aspects of organizations, I am able to contribute to ethical and fair decisions involving the exchange of money.

In the past few months I have learned business is something to fear when you do not understand. To get involved, to ask questions and to take part in, is learning and it can be beneficial and empowering.

Money is part of the cycle of change, and whether we like it or not, it holds power. Through elements such as fair-trade, social business and cooperatives, that power can be put back into the hands of the people and they, and myself, can take part in the economic, independence and stability of our own existences.

Update from Chiapas, Mexico

2011-02-09T18:00:00.001-08:00

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.

The process of learning

2011-02-05T20:56:00.001-08:00

Some of the most difficult decisions we must make alone, but it is the support of others that allows us to know we’ve made the right one.

Since we arrived in Chiapas, Mexico a little over a week ago there has been a lot to process. Some of the things we are learning are physical; the structure of a non-profit, the process of a campaign, the history of an area. Others are more intellectual; why do so many people have to live in fear. Others emotional or spiritual; how do I feel about this, what do I do about it and how will this shape my future and the person I want to become.

Although we do it as a group a lot of it is done internally, as we are all here on our own learning journey, our own quest. We must process for ourselves things like; what does this mean to me, how do I feel about it, how does this effect me, personally and professionally, what will I do with this knowledge and how does this apply to my future.

Sometimes the learning is difficult, and we are learning it is important to name what we are feeling and what we are thinking in order to allow ourselves to process it in a healthy way.

It is like that old saying, if you don’t know what’s wrong you won’t be able to fix it.

I have been going through some personal struggles, things about who I am, who I want to be and how I want to participate in this vast and ever changing world. I begin to second-guess myself; will I be good enough, am I strong enough. Will I be able to make a difference and where within this global chaos do I belong.

Today as a group we discussed these things, we talked about our hopes, our fears. Where we feel there needs to be change both within ourselves and societal systems and structures. The conversation ran long but for me the message was clear.

Through this process of dialogue and experiential learning I have learned we must be careful to go easy on ourselves, take care of ourselves and be patient with ourselves. It isn’t healthy nor realistic to expect too much of any one person and if we try to do it all, we will surely fail. We live in a time where results are expected promptly, we must be able to measure our success in order for us to believe it exists. Often this is not the way and our dreams will be lost and our spirits will die.

Through this process of dialogue and experiential learning I have learned the importance of balance and of self-forgiveness. From within Mexico I have learned the true meaning of mental health not only in the northern context but in the way of having peace of mind and tranquil thought. I have learned it is okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them and grow. I have learned it is okay to have my head in the clouds as long as my feet are firmly planted on the ground.

I have learned the power of honest relationships and the strength of community. I have learned to honour the opinions of others equal to those of my own and to honour all people as equals. I have learned things that at one time, long ago as a child were natural and were somehow lost or forgotten. Not intentionally or with pride but within a culture and context where we constantly struggle to be better, best, or on top.

I have made mistakes and I will own them. I can admit my humilities and I am learning how to put them behind me. No one thing can ever be perfect, and no one thing should ever want to be. It is every imperfection which makes beauty beautiful and I am learning it is my imperfections which make me human and make me, me.

These I will own, I will admit and I will move on and I will grow.

To take this path has been the right decision; Belleville, Mexico and wherever else I may go. And I am thankful for what I have been given, for what I have seen and what I have learned.

We make the path by walking, and so far I like this path best.

Thank you ISW.

“A man fails many times but is never a failure until he gives up, for from failure comes valuable experience and from experience comes wisdom,” author unknown.

O'Canada our home and native land...

2011-02-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

…. what about the homes and lands of others?

International Support Worker Students from Loyalist College met with employee of advocacy organization Otros Mundos – Other Worlds - where they had the privilege of discussing some extremely important, and controversial, issues.

Otros Mundos has identified numerous of the economic problems within Mexico as part of the global economic crisis, as many underlying issues are present around the world and are caused by the Capital Crisis. This crisis is universal and it seems everyday people are becoming more and more unhappy in both developed and under-developed countries.

The struggle continues for employment, nutritious food, shelter, labour rights, education, healthy care, security and gender equality. Many communities are experiencing inter-family conflicts and one can only speculate if these problems are a result of poverty or political violence.
Otros Mundos is an advocacy organization that works to discover and implement alternatives that can better the life-situations of the Mexican population. The organization works to find sustainability in our environment and within the people as they understand that food and water are not enough as long as the extreme levels of inequality continue.

As one crisis has many elements, Otros Mundos have categorized the global economic crisis as follows:

-Financial crisis
-Social crisis
-Food crisis
-Energy crisis
-Political crisis
-Environmental crisis
-Security crisis

Many ISW students were curious to learn more about the role Canada plays in this global economic crisis, more specifically the involvement with food and security.

Students were shocked to learn of the incredibly harmful and life-threatening impacts left behind from Canadian mining companies. There are currently more than 25,000 mining companies within Mexico, 70-75% of which are Canadian based and are known around the world for being the worst violators of human rights.

“When I heard this, I was disgusted. I thought, how could I want to serve for a country, and protect people that care for no one but themselves and their money,” says Caila Widdifield, current ISW student and Cadet Instructor Cadre. “It’s revolting. We’ve always been taught ‘do to others as you would have them do to you’, how would they feel if they were the one being exploited and having their rights violated, with no one to protect them. It isn’t right.”

It is not only the initial damage of the mining but the continuous impacts of devastation towards natural resources. First communities are forced to move as companies now own the land they live on, they extract what they want and in the process contaminate the land and water resources, where luscious vegetation once grew is no longer possible. Communities are being affected with increasing rates of cancer and other health implications. Homes are being torn apart and indigenous communities who resist to leave their homes are beaten. It is shameful.

For many students this was the first time they would hear in such detail the horror left behind from Canadian companies. Canada is becoming more widely known, especially through Latin America, for their negative impacts on the earth, inhuman treatment of indigenous populations and violent attempts to get what they want.

When ISW students ask what can be done, Otros Mundos reply not to give up.
“It is important to look at your own context and understand what is going on around you and then say what can we do.”

Otros Mundos works in partnership with many international organizations, such as Friends of the Earth International, REMA, and closer to home, the Council of Canadians and Human Rights Watch. Through these organizations, international campaigns are led and Otros Mundos urge all to get involved. They say it is important to acknowledge the harm and violation of human rights being done by Canadian mining companies and to educate others on these issues.

Corporate America always finds ways to avoid responsibilities, it is our job to hold them accountable for the damage they produce. As global citizens we must work together to better the lives of all people, we must no longer work to feed the machine but work to feed the people.

For more information:

Council of Canadians:
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=2369

Mining Watch Canada (Bill C-300 – Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas Corporations in Developing Countries):
http://www.miningwatch.ca/en/bill-c-300-corporate-accountability-activities-mining-oil-or-gas-corporations-developing-countries

In Remembrance of Bishop Don Samuel Ruiz - A Man of Peace

2011-02-02T13:47:00.000-08:00

This past week marked a tragic time in Mexican history as hundred of indigenous and mestizo Mexicans, along with international supporters, gathered to honour the life and pay tribute to the death of Bishop Don Samuel Ruiz.

Bishop Ruiz, better known as Tatic by the people of Chiapas, played an impartial role in the defense of the indigenous population within Chiapas. Not only within Mexico but around the world, Bishop Ruiz is known for his commitment, affection and protection to the equal rights of the indigenous peoples.

Bishop Ruiz ministered from 1960 to 2000 in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas and touched the lives of many. His courageous words empowered his followers from the North to the South as he spoke of community, equal rights and liberation.

I had never known Bishop Ruiz, nor was I completely familiar with his every day attributions to the overall wellness of an entire group of peoples. I was aware of his involvement with the Zapatista negotiations and defense of indigenous people, but similar to many things, it is difficult to imagine to what extend without having witnessed.

On January 26 I arrived in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, home of Bishop Ruiz. Although our group was not present for the funeral we were fortunate to see the streets still lined with people, the Zocalo and cathedral surrounded by flowers and messages of love and thanks wrapped around the walls of the Cathedral. Banners hung with the image of Ruiz, “Peace and Justice” encrypted.

It was incredibly moving to see the love of so many people. I now am able to recognize what an impartial role Bishop Ruiz has played in the rights and freedom of the indigenous people of Chiapas. I am able to see the gratitude of his support and sadness of his death. I could feel the loss and fright of those who are still here, of those who are indigenous and must continue their lives without the presence of one of their most loved and respected leaders.

I have heard many say, “What will happen to the Zapatistas? Who will defend them?”

Perhaps it is time for all people to follow in the steps of Bishop Ruiz, to stand up for the rights of indigenous peoples, not only within Mexico but around the world. It has been too long that their rights be denied and their voices not heard. It is long past due, that people unite for the rights and equal treatment of all peoples, regardless of ethnicity, gender or social class.

It hurts to witness people living in fear and this has continued for far too long. It is not right that governments and corporations have more rights then those who have lived off the land. It has been far too long since people can stand up, without fear of violence to say, “this is me and this is what I want.”

Thank you Bishop Ruiz, Tatic, for opening my eyes to the truth that is in front of me and thank you, Tatic, for all you have done. You will remain a figure of freedom, love, affection and truth in the eyes of millions around the world.

Gracias Tatic y paz contigo.

Theatrical performance of Palenque Rojo

2011-01-31T14:16:00.000-08:00

History consists of conquering empires and mythical beings, of beauty, betrayal, life and death. To see is to understand and history can only continue if its story is told.

This evening Caila and I decided to treat ourselves to the historical performance of Palenque Rojo. The performance was done in Mayan language and consisted of some of the most beautiful costumes I had ever seen. Traditional headdresses, body paint, dance, rituals, drumming and inscents created an ancient Mayan atmosphere.

Archeologists and historians worked together to recreate the story of Palenque Rojo. The performance captures the extraordinary tale of Mayan Ruler Kan Joy Chitam II, son of the Great Ruler Pakal II and brother of Kam Balam II. The famous and majestic city of Palenque was given its splendorous linage through the tales of these historic and powerful leaders.

The story is told of a time when there were two great city-states that embraced within the extraordinary lands of the Maya, they were Palenque and Tonina. These two cities were in constant competition to control the commercial route from the Gulf of Mexico to the heart of Peten, now known as Guatemalea.

Kan Joy Chitam was one of the most brilliant leaders in Palenque history and in the summer of 711 AD, in an attempt to take control, Tonina attacks Palenque and kidnaps Ruler Kan Joy Chitam. One of the most miraculous things about this story, is the attack was planned by a women, the Ruler Kawil who had been newly widowed, dressed in the military robes of her husband and commanded the attention of her people.

In time Kan Joy Chitam escapes from his imprisonment and returns to Palenque, where even today, how he escaped is unknown. Kan Joy Chitam recognized his old age and with great honour, placed his nephew in the throne and confronted his destiny. Setting an example of wisdom, compassion and humility, he retired and offered his life to the gods in a ritual of self-sacrifice.

It is said that after his death, Kan Joy Chitam transformed into a star within the heavens where he is to reign in the cosmos for eternity.

This performance may have been one of the most extraordinary I have ever seen. The theater was small and set to appear as a jungle from the moment you enter. With clothe wines, shadows and mist surrounding you, you feel as though you have entered the jungle and are among the ancient Mayan people. With the beat of the drum you grow anxious to see what is next and the beauty of the costume and tranquility in the movement makes you feel as though time has stopped.

Within the next few weeks Loyalist College ISW students will be traveling to Palenque to visit the ancient ruins of Palenque, some of Mexico’s largest and most visited ruins in the country. I am looking forward to walking the same grounds as these powerful people and being able to learn more about the history of the Mayan people.

Cathedral in San Cristobal

2011-01-31T14:14:00.000-08:00

Every time I return to Mexico I am reminded of how large of a role religion plays in cultural society.

The other day we traveled outside of San Cristobal to a city called San Juan Chamula. San Juan is located about 11 km outside San Cristobal and is widely known for the indigenous peoples’ unique style of worship. The church floors are lined with pine needles and indigenous groups gather around rows of candles on the floors. Elders chant sacred religious meanings while a father and mother bless their newborn child by rubbing a chicken over the youngsters’ body. The chicken is meant to take the illnesses and evil spirits out of the child and hold it within itself. The family would then execute the chicken and give it a religious ceremony to represent the exit of evil and illness.

Today was Sunday and I joined nearly 1,000 other people for the 12 o’clock service at the Cathedral in the center of San Cristobal. Every seat was taken and still people gathered around the outside, some needing to remain standing. The crowd was consisted of indigenous populations, mestizos, foreigners and the odd tourist. There were elders and infants. I was amazed to see the number of people who had come to worship and most likely do every Sunday. I saw a fellow classmate of mine and also ran into Quinten, the American anthropologist from yesterday, and met his wife.

The service was similar to some I have seen in Canada. It was a Catholic service that included offerings and communion. It was incredible to see the man beside me, in his ripped jeans, toothless smile and stained shirt give every last peso in his pocket to the church. The music was outstanding and the aroma of in-scents filled the church and made the air thick.

My favourite part was the greeting; “Paz contigo.” Not having a religious background, the whole idea of it is interesting to me. As complex as it is, and regardless of how it has been used in the past to manipulate and oppress, there is such a strong sense of community.

“Paz contigo,” says the middle-aged woman to my right.

“Paz contigo,” says the young man across from me.

“Paz contigo,” says the man with the ripped jeans, toothless smile and stained shirt to my left.

“Paz contigo,” says the father of the young child who came out of nowhere, all taking the time to touch my hand and exchange a smile.

'Real Mexico is within the family'

2011-01-30T12:33:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to live in poverty, to be poor?

Take a moment to define it.

Does it mean you live in a small house, or on the streets. Does it mean you wear ripped clothes and have a dirt floor with no running water. Does it mean you shine shoes or work in the market.

Or perhaps it means you’ve only got one car instead of two. You can only take one holiday a year instead of three. Perhaps it means you have to wait until things go on sale before you can consume or you have to use coupons to purchase your groceries.

Yesterday ISW students met with American anthropologist and poet Quentin Kirk. Kirk is married to a Mexican woman and has lived in San Cristobal for the past two years, where he has fallen in love with the Mexican culture and published two books out of his new-found passion.

Kirk discussed many things with the group, the history of San Cristobal, the story behind it’s title, Bishop Ruiz and his involvement with the indigenous communities. He discussed the sound of Mexican music and it’s purpose, which is to bring happiness. He spoke of the Mexican passion to dance and how the majority of indigenous populations are shy but genuinely kind and helpful of all others.

He spoke of San Cristobal history of everyone getting along, the mestizos, the indigenous, the foreigners and the hippies. He spoke of the history of the regions leaders and spoke of how long before the culture of industrialization, before the culture of things, there was a culture of celebration. He spoke of the people and how they had adequate food and shelter and how what they wanted was more celebration.

He spoke of how real Mexico is within the families and how cautious all must be when talking about poverty and being poor. He spoke of cultural baggage and how everyone must be careful of the baggage they bring from their own country. He spoke of a study done called ‘The Happy Index’ and of how Mexicans are genuinely happier than people from the north and how they laugh a lot more and have a lot more time for their family.

“The Mexican people have more of what life is suppose to be like, life needs people and people need their families and the children will have more time to play,” Kirk says.

When ISW students sat to discuss some of the things they had learned through their guest speaker, many were profoundly shocked with some of the simple things they had never realized before. About family, northern lifestyle, poverty, being poor. Many had never looked at life through this perspective, as their cultural baggage showed a different meaning of value and poverty.

“I had only ever seen poor as I was raised to,” says Child and Youth Worker student from Loyalist College Debbie Margetson. “I will now be able to see the richness [of the Mexican people] more than I ever had before.”

Many people know the cliché saying of rich in spirit, rich in heart and many people overlook it. Is it because it is so simple that it cannot be true? Or could it be because northerners have so much cultural baggage we are not able to see it?

How do you define true wealth, what does it mean. Is it possible to be spiritually rich and materialistically poor, or vice-versa. Must people be one or the other.

Although many northerners climb the capitalist model and believe title, money, power and materialistic objects signify wealth, there are still many northerners who believe a more socialist movement is taking place, especially within more urban areas of Canada.

Loyalist College ISW student Kailey Ellis Chapman lives on 100 acres of farmland outside of Belleville, Ontario and says that balance of spiritual and capital wealth is present close to home if only you look for it.

Let children be children

2011-01-28T19:36:00.001-08:00

Today we traveled as the locals did in a collectivo, a communal van with the cost shared by all passengers, to a city nearby called San Juan Chamula. San Juan is located about 11km outside of San Cristobal de las Casas and is widely known for the indigenous peoples’ unique style of religious worship.

When we arrived in this city of San Juan it looked different than San Cristobal. The streets weren’t as crowded, the venders not so frequent. The population was made up of almost all indigenous people and there were next to no mestizo Mexicans. There were no local foreigners living there that we saw but there were busloads of northern tourists who showed up in packs, many cameras and flashy things in hand. Things weren’t as clean in San Juan and you could tell there wasn’t nearly as much wealth as there was in the nearby city of San Cristobal.

No matter where we were in San Juan, the market, the Zocalo (town square), the street corner, on a bench or in front of the church, we would be approached by children and asked to buy something . These children were street venders and beggars, much like their parents and rely greatly on tourism as a form of survival.

Children ranging age 5 and up would approach you, carrying their two-year-old sibling on their back and would ask you for un peso or to buy their goods. It can be a heartbreaking thing, to see someone who is so young and could have so many possibilities, stand before you and ask you for something and not know if you can give it to them.

When it comes to street children it’s difficult. You want to support them because you feel for them, but if you do, in many ways you are prolonging this way of life for them, where they must beg. When children are sent out on the streets and come home with money, it is an indication to their parents that this is working and they will be sent out again the next day. Not because their parents want to or believe this is the best place for their children but because this is a way of life and in many cases the only way to guarantee their survival. When children are successful in this, the cycle is perpetuated and many of these children grow up never going to school, never knowing how to read or write, not knowing anything other than begging.

It’s difficult because you feel if you do not give them that peso, you are partly responsible for their circumstance and for their suffering. But if you do, suddenly there are two kids, now three, now ten. Now they are grabbing at you and pulling on each other. People grow angry and now you are smack dab in the middle of conflict, often in a language you don’t understand and sometimes with adults in regards to their children whom you have been engaging with. It can very quickly and unexpectedly escalate and become a very negative and dangerous situation.

In the end, wither you do or do not is personal choice and it is always a difficult decision. It is an extremely sensitive and complex topic and there is no right or wrong answer. I have realized as much as you cannot fix situations like this with money, pity does not help either. These children and their families they do not want, nor deserve, our pity. They deserve our respect and our acknowledgment. Instead of feeling bad because they are begging and we are unable to help, think about what the real problem is, not with the individual, but with the societal system that is meant to protect and support the people. Think of how this has happened, why it is so common and what can and is being done about it.

It’s an interesting contrast, children from the north and from the south. They play completely different roles in society and yet at the end of a day, a child is always still a child. We feel bad for and pity these young people who must work the streets, with no shoes in their dirty clothes, but they are doing it for survival in order to provide the essentials, because this is their way of life.

We must not be so hypocritical to think that this is something that only happens in Mexico, this is happening around the world in every country, including Canada and the United States. We may not have 5 and 10 year olds begging strangers on the streets for money, but instead we have them begging their parents and grandparents in the aisles of the grocery store. We have children who throw tantrums because they can’t have that third doll or because they didn’t get exactly what they wanted for Christmas or for their birthday. People say to children all the time, “stop acting like a dog, don’t beg.” Yet this need for more continues to grow and children continue to be unsatisfied with what they have and the need for more extends. Many Northerners don’t know how to express our love and appreciation without materialistic things, we feel if we do not purchase the biggest and best we are not expressing our value and love for one another.

We have grown cold.

We may not have children begging on the streets for survival, but we have them begging in the toy store for items of luxury, isn’t this worse?

Let children be children

2011-01-28T19:36:00.000-08:00

We have grown cold.

We may not have children begging on the streets for survival, but we have them begging in the toy store for items of luxury, isn’t this worse?

A mixture of cultural tradition and colonization

2011-01-28T18:55:00.000-08:00

Beautiful colours, traditional dress, modern music and pierced lips. Hand made tortillas beside packaged brand named items. A piece of the past mixed with the present. The integration of traditional culture and colonialism.

As Loyalist College International Support Worker students spent the second day of their five-week experiential learning venture exploring the streets of San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico, they were told to be cautious, blend in and pay attention to detail. As with any new culture it is important to take sufficient time to observe and absorb the culture and what is going on around you. Pay attention to small detail and notice differences and similarities within the culture itself.

Students were divided into small groups of three, given a basis map and a check-list of locations and off they went. Students ventured slowly, took their time and engaged with locals to gain a deeper insight and understanding of the dynamics and complexity of the Mexican culture.

During the students debrief many important issues were discussed. Students recognized more than the obvious cultural differences such as food, dress, architecture and road rules. They noted the different colours of dress within the different indigenous groups, recognized the differences in the roles played by children in the South compared to the North, the level of religious value and influence within the culture and signs of imperial capitalism with a traditional twist.

“The thing that gets me is the amount of recognition for the Virgin of Guadalupe,” says Caila Widdifield, graduate of the developmental service worker program at Loyalist College and current ISW student in Chiapas, Mexico. “It is incredible how much respect they have when only one person witnessed this miracle, yet the vast of the culture is based on this. Doesn’t matter what generation you are or who you are, mestizo or indigenous, old or young. [The Virgin of Guadalupe] has influenced a lot of people and it isn’t just one area, it is across Mexico.”

As referenced by ISW professor Kate Rogers, many people believe Mexico is very much a Catholic nation, however, if you ask most Mexican’s they would say their country is very much Guadelupian. Jesus Christ is still very much a part of the Mexican culture and honoured within active religions but is focused on the Virgin of Guadalupe and Jesus’ is credited based on the fact that people believe him to be the son of this marvelous women saint.

Within the student debrief, the idea of ‘Guadelupianism’ was explored as an example of cultural tradition mixed with colonialism. The people of Mexico were conquered by the Spanish and deemed a Catholic nation but were still able to identify with something unique that they believed in and held true value towards.

The Virign of Guadalupe was a dark skin women who called herself the reincarnation of Virgin Mary. Guadaupe said we are all people of God and she had come for the poor people. Many believe the whole idea of the Virgin of Guadalupe was a scam for the Bishop and Mexican leaders to regain power as the Catholic church was failing. Either way, neither have been proved and for many, it no longer matters.

“When you think about the destruction left behind from colonialism; it robbed indigenous people of their identity and when Guadalupe came forward… [it was] a reclamation of the identity of the Mexican people that colonialism had stripped them of,” says Heather Barker, current ISW student with years of experience working in harm reduction and community development in the Belleville and Brampton communities. “This is a way of finding joy and identity within colonialism and it is in a sense, allowing them to take their power back.”

As ISW students continue their learning journey over the next five weeks they will be exploring different aspects of Mexican culture and will be exposed to the true complexities of the cultures existence. As they have already learned the answers to many questions are complex and a culture cannot be fully understood in a day, a week, a month or sometimes even a lifetime. The idea is to open your mind to new ideas and the possibility of things that are different and to gain new insight and viewpoints to international issues.

Finally here - ISW students make it to Chiapas, Mexico

2011-01-26T20:05:00.000-08:00

Today we arrived at our final destination; San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. After more than 24 hours in travel transit, I can confidently speak on behalf of the group when I say we are extremely glad to be here!

People say there is opportunity to learn in everything you do, I believe this is true. Since Monday evening at 11:00pm when we left Belleville, Ontario for our five-week adventure I feel all ISW students and Quest Internacional participants have partaken in essential learning experiences and personal growth. Some things may not seem as important as others but all are essential to competent staff in the field of international work.

For example; safe travel. This included some things that may seem more obvious, such as researching of destination, proper packing, proper health requirements and vaccinations, travel documentation and life style commitments and obligations such as who will look after my cat and I must remember to pay my rent in advance. Once on the road we learned about safe and adequate travel; stay together, be respectful of others, always keep an eye on your bag and never leave it unattended, do not act inappropriately suspicious unless you are looking for delay, be flexible, be patient, be prepared. It's interesting but often I feel it is a lot of these little things that are important when travelling in large groups. Everyone is on their own journey and have different levels of travel experience and different styles of everything; learning to cooperate, be patient, kind and work as a team are difficult things to overcome, especially when tensions are up and sleep levels are down, but are also essential to a successful group learning experience.

Although there have been minor bumps in the road all members of the ISW class as well as members of Quest Internacional have done a phenomenal job of all the things listed above. I am impressed with the levels of maturity, responsibility and understanding of others and am proud to be part of this group. I look forward to tomorrow and am excited to fall asleep. Yes, it is only 11:16pm and I am exhausted.

Hasta pronto y hasta manana!!

No more sleeps in my own bed, now I sit and wait - ISW students do Mexico

2011-01-24T15:16:00.000-08:00

My bag is packed, the heat is down and my apartment is beginning to grow cold which means it must soon be time to go. Tonight at 11:00pm I will be joining 16 friends, and fellow classmates in the International Support Worker program as we head to the Toronto airport and straight on towards Chiapas, Mexico, where we will be staying for the next 5 weeks as part of our post-graduate program.

Similar to last year when I traveled to Mexico with Quest Internacional, there's the anticipated, anticipation and slight nausea of nervousness as the butterflies in my stomach begin to dance. I have been excited and preparing for this journey for over a year when I decided to enroll in the program and yet, I am speechless.

If there is one thing I have learned as a student in the ISW program and as a participant in Quest, is that all things are unpredictable. As much as we can prepare ourselves, all circumstances have a beat of beat of their own and all we can do is enjoy the ride. I have been going to Mexico for the past three years as a participant in an international and experiential learning organization. Each year I have returned a new person, not remembering who I was before. Each time I feel as though I have grown, in every aspect of the meaning. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Sometimes it is interesting to think back and remember myself as an even younger girl than I am now. It's funny how in five weeks sometimes everything can change, and sometimes nothing happens at all.

One thing I know for sure, is I haven't a clue what to expect. I am excited, anxious, nervous, rambunctious, gitty, grateful and honoured. I am already so thankful for everything this experience will bring, and we haven't even got on the plane.

Join us on our journey and participate in our adventure: www.ideals.nu

For more information on the International Support Worker (ISW) Program Click Here

Related Articles:

Loyalist students begin four-week journey in Mexico Tuesday

International Support Worker students learn from international development representatives

Loyalist students not concerned about traveling to Mexico

Countdown to Chiapas!

2011-01-18T20:59:00.000-08:00

With only six days left till departure, Loyalist College International Support Worker students and staff are busy at work preparing for their travels.

As part of the preparations, students have spent many hours discussing topics such as safe travel, cultural awareness and health and safety. Within these topics, discussions include subjects on health concerns, immunizations, customs and immigration, ground travel, language barrier, food and water and culture shock, among others.

Students also spent time meeting with a representative of the Canadian International Development Agency, where they were able to gain insight on development from within a governmental agency. Students will soon visit impoverished villages within Chiapas Mexico, some of which would be similar to villages of whom receive funding from CIDA in other countries. By having unique learning opportunities such as this, students are able to gain experience in hands on practice, theory and critical analysis, for example the cycle of development from a northern agency to a southern village.

Check out the writing, reflections, photos and stories of International Support Worker students while they venture through Southern Mexico for 5 weeks. Check out their host website at http://www.ideals.nu/

Voting is a privilege

2010-10-13T16:20:00.001-07:00

As elections approach, it is critical to remember the impact of community voice and the strength of a vote, even on a municipal level.

People around the world rally, campaign and fight for the right to vote. To have a voice that is recognized within their government. They are fighting for the right to contribute to the decision making process of their country.

In places like Canada and the United States, the right to vote is devalued and taken advantage of. People don’t take this opportunity to practice their rights, as members of a democratic society, to ask for answers and demand change from their municipal, provincial and national leaders.

In developing countries the right to vote can be a cause of death. It is a privileged to have a voice that is recognized within a political structure and be given the right to demand change.

Practice your rights of freedom. Use your voice, demand your rights, strengthen your community and vote.

Change happens in small steps, one community at a time.

Related Sites:

Vote! It's your Agenda An online information tool for election information in the Belleville, Quinte Area.

A good use of social media!

2010-10-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

Have something to say to your mayoral canditates?

Belleville running NDP candidate Jodie Jenkins announced he would be using YouTube to engage voters for the upcoming provincial election, reports The Shield.

This is a great example of using social media to strengthen community voice and encourage participation.

Get involved, ask questions, get answers, get results.

Young voters to ask questions via YouTube

For an example of what to expect: YouTube Debates

“The Women United.”

2010-10-04T18:27:00.000-07:00

What do they want? Freedom. When do they want it? Now.

On September 30th women around the world gathered together in solidarity to stand up, speak out, demand dignity and march the streets to take back the night.

Take back the night is an international awareness campaign that has been taking place around the globe for over 30 years. Locally, this event has been running for over 18 years and more than 75 women, children (and male supporters) met in market square downtown Belleville to rally in support of the fight to end violence against women.

Elise Hineman of the Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District says the purpose of the march is to bring awareness to these issues and for women to gain the confidence to stand together in solidarity and take back their rights.

“Sometimes women are forced to hide in fear and tonight we are taking back our rights… we are marching together to end violence against women.”

The rally included music by local musicians, presentations on the history of the event and a special word from author and poet Karen Dack who is a survivor of abuse and sexual assault.

Dack read her poem called “It's time” where she speaks of living in fear as a victim of assault and of the time she gained the strength and support to recover.

“Why should I be ashamed of what happened to me?” Dack says. “I didn’t choose it and I was lucky to have the support I did to recover from it.”

Dack shares her experience as a victim of sexual assault and has written numerous books to provide other women with the strength to stand up for their rights.

Every day women around the world are forced to walk the streets in fear and are in a constant state of vulnerability because of their gender. Each year hundred of women are victims to sexual, physical and mental assault. In 2004, one hundred and ninety eight women were victims of homicide within Canada alone.

Mary Jane Breault, a past chair of the Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District, participated in the awareness campaign and says the purpose of these marches is to remind people that abuse exists and is still out there. Creating awareness is the first step to prevention and walking together in unity and in support of these victims is an opportunity to take back what was lost and make sure it is put to an end.

Numerous local organizations including Three Oaks, Women Foundation, and the Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District were all essential partners in the awareness campaign and fight to end violence against women. Many of these members have been involved for numerous years and together with the community, are making the streets safer for all women.

Photo Credit: Liam Kavanagh-Bradette

Global Harmony Gift Show

2010-09-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

Friends, fans and extended family, we've got something else for you!

Arthur Frederick Community Builders is hosting a Global Harmony Gift Show this Saturday, September 25th at market square in downtown Belleville. The event will include different local non-profit organizations involved in international development and will show case quality goods from around the world.

Items available for purchase range from arts, crafts, jewellery, baked goods and snacks to fair trade coffee, Mexican silver and you can even get your face painted. Organizations you can expect to see, including members of the hosting organization Arthur Frederick Community Builders, are Quinte Grannies for Africa, Sleeping Children Around the World, Calcutta Rescue, Zatoun, members of the International Support Worker program from Loyalist College and more.

Not only is this a great opportunity to get outside, make some interesting purchases and have fun, it's an opportunity to meet the faces behind these organizations and connect with the people who are making true the notion of a Global Community.

So, if you're interested in international development, looking to get involved with your local community or wanting to learn about local and global non-profit organizations and innitiatives think glocal, and check it out!

See you there :) !!

Photo Credit: Member of Arthur Frederick Community Builders Paul Poirier, middle, smiles with new friends made in Mexico. AFCB is an independent not-for-profit volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for indigenous people in North, Central and South America.

Has expanded to new territory

2010-09-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

As fall quickly approaches we at -Think Glocal- are excited for some new changes! We believe with change comes growth and when opportunity knocks you answer. In the light of this, we are also committing ourselves to a new one year program at Loyalist College in International Support Work.

We would like very much to make this a learning and growth opportunity for all of our readers, friends, fans and supporters and ask you join of us this journey. We will be regularly posting updates, news, articles, related information, photos, events, ideas and magical thoughts over the next year and welcome and encourage feedback and involvement from all interested.

For more information on the program check out International Support Worker program or click here.

What's going on ?!

2010-07-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

BASEBALL TOURNAMENT!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1st, 2010
GRAFTON Diamonds, Highway 2.
...COST is $150 per team
REGISTRATION starts 9:00am

_______________________

Hey every buddy - grab your glove, your beer and all your friends and head out to Grafton for a fun day of baseball !

This tourney is only as competitive as you want it to be, everyone is welcome whether you play all the time, every now and then or never before in your life!

Registration will start at 9:00am and all players must be ready to start the tournament at 9:30am at the Grafton Ball Diamonds on Highway 2.

Cost of early bird registration is $100 a team or day of event $150 a team; please try to field your own team or let us know in advance and we'll organize smaller groups or individuals together.

Captains please let me know who you are in advance !

Creative team names and uniforms are encouraged! Go wild and have fun with it!

The games will be 3 pitch with a minimum of four girls per team (if not the batting list will go male, female, etc. rotating the ladies in wherever necessary).

Please bring your own glove, bats if possible, refreshments and positive attitude and see you all there!

This event is brought to you by Think GLOCAL, a non-profit media distribution outlet focused on non-profit organizations, community involvement and global awareness ---- in support of Quest Internacional, a non-profit organization based out of Belleville, Ontario that works to educate youth and promote international human rights and inclusiveness.

Join us on facebook ! CLICK HERE.

Human Rights Docfest, huge success!

2010-07-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

A huge CONGRATULATION goes out to all involved in last weekends Human Rights Docfest, hosted by University of Toronto's Journalist for Human Rights School Chapter. The festival was a great success with sold out seats and amazing panels from guest speakers, jhr staff and documentary directors.

Congratulations to Karen Cho, first place winner and director of the documentary "Seeking Refuge." Cho did a phenomenal job portraying the relentless efforts and struggles of 5 refugees in Canada. To read a full summary of the documentary click here.

Friends of - Think G L O C A L - wake up the streets of Leogane, Haiti with a little bit of dance and a lot of soul

2010-07-09T16:57:00.001-07:00

Members of Hands on Disaster Response, and personal friends of - Think G L O C A L -take a break from their strenuous volunteer work helping rebuild communities in Haiti, to do a little dance and make some magic in the streets of Leogane.

Way to go folks, we salute you !

Photo journalist and friend of - Think G L O C A L - Gage Love, is featured in the video above dancing on the streets of Haiti. Love, in the yellow Brazil jersey, graduated from Loyalist College in 2009 and has spent the last three months working in Haiti as a member of Hands on Disaster Response. To read about Love's adventures check our his personal blog at LoveinHaiti

For more information on Hands on Disaster Response check out their website at www.hodr.org

Journalists for Human Rights invites you to Human Rights Docfest 2010

2010-06-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

The University of Toronto's Chapter for Journalists for Human Rights (jhr) presents a national documentary film festival

The festival serves to highlight human rights abuses around the world and here at home on July 23, 24, and 25, 2010 at the National Film Board of Canada's Toronto Mediateque @ 150 John Street, Toronto.

Early bird tickets are available from June 21 to July 9, 2010 at a price of $10 for 2 tickets, or $15 for the full 3-day festival pass. Regular ticket prices are $10 for 1 ticket, and $7 for students/seniors and will be available from July 9th onward until the festival starts.

Pick-up locations for tickets can be found at:

* UTSU (University of Toronto Student Union), 12 Hart House Circle, across from Hart House
* NFB Mediateque Toronto, 150 John Street (at Richmond St. W, Osgoode Subway Stn)

For ticket purchases and information, contact:

Kirsty Hong, HR Docfest Promotions Coordinator:
kirsty.hong@utoronto.ca, 647-883-9727

Michelle Newlands, -Think G L O C A L -
michellenewlands@hotmail.com
289.251.3122

For further information on HR Docfest:

Sophie Langlois, HR Docfest Director: sophie.langlois@utoronto.ca;
416-797-9444

Please visit www.hrdocfest.com for ticket details

G20 brings out the best in all -

2010-06-27T00:21:00.001-07:00

until chaos hits the streets

- Think G l o c a l - staff report from the streets of Toronto's protests

What started out as a peaceful rally and march by activists, unions, non-profit organizations, student groups, community churches, international advocacy groups, international media and families of all ages, turned into disappointment for many.

Early in the day of Saturday, June 26th, over 10, 000 people gather at Queens Park and around the City of Toronto in the rain, to speak out about corporate control and issues related to the G8/G20 meetings, style, agenda and illegitimacy.

Thousands of people marched the street chanting, singing, and dancing, waving their flags, clapping their hands, drumming, playing instruments and shouting out against injustices.

For some blocks the protest remained peaceful, positive, non-violent and inspirational for many areas. Streets were lined intensely with armed police as people marched from Queens Park to Spadina Street, while other protests pushed further south.

Police tasks forced the march to a halt at the corner of Queen and Spadina and acts of vandalism, disrespect and uncivil behavior slowly began throughout the streets of Toronto.

For many hours of the march many protesters remained respectful and police monitored the streets with intimidation but little to no force in specific areas. Protesters attempted to move south to the fence line, declaring they would stop at the official boundaries. At times police and protesters were face- to-face but kept it at a heated standstill with neither side using forced actions of violence.

As the march continued the atmosphere shifted and protesters of specific activist groups began setting off flares and vandalizing public and corporate property in a destructive, harmful and unhumble fashion.

As many as six police cars were set on fire and the windows of stores lining the streets of Queen, Younge, University and many other in Toronto were smashed. American Apparel’s window smashed; possessions dismantled and covered in feces with others experienced similar things.

Protesters, individuals and media walked the streets of Toronto gathering in groups for demonstrations. Police suited in riot gear and kept things at a standstill. At times inappropriate force of violence, wrongfully accusations and threatening of innocent protesters and media also took place around the city.

As the chaos and mayhem continued into the night, what started as a peaceful march transformed into a disgrace to the streets and people of Toronto.

Shame.

A word from the REAL world leaders - scrap the summits!

2010-06-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

Massey Hall, Toronto - Over 2,000 people joined together in the name of democracy last night at Massey Hall against what the Council of Canadians is calling ‘the war on working people.’

Unlike the gatherings of our nation’s presidential leaders at the G8/G20, the Shout out for Global Justice, put on by the Council of Canadians, was open to the public. People were invited to hear some of the world’s true leaders speak up and speak out on global issues. People of all races, genders, ages and classes filled Massey Hall and listened to guest speakers on issues of environmental deficits, social justice deficits, first nations and democratic deficits, media deficits and water as a human right deficit.

The shout out was in opposition of the G8/G20 traditions agenda, and ‘closed doors’ approach, with activist and President of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Dave Coles stating we do not accept their agenda, a campaign lead by using fear.

Speakers included Clayton Thomas-Muller, an aboriginal activist and tar sands campaigner with the Indigenous Environmental Network, Dr. Vandana Shiva, founder of environmental justice organization Navadanya, Amy Goodman, host and executive producer of Democracy Now!, John Hilary, Executive Director of War on Want, RAW – Raging Asian Women- a diverse collective of East and South-East Asian female drummers promoting social justice while making music, Leo Gerard, the International President of the United Steelworkers, Pablo Solon, Bolivian ambassador to the United Nations, Naomi Klein, award winning journalist and author of bestsellers, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism and No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies and Maude Barlow, National Chairperson for the Council of Canadians.

As these influential leaders spoke to the crowd of over 2,000, the people cheered and booed corporations in disgust. They rose to their feet and shook their heads, as these leaders spoke out against corporations and called them out on the cruelty, oppression and exploitation of their decisions, the crowd would rise to their feet shouting SHAME.

As the presentations came to an end, thousands of active civilians gathered outside Massey Hall to march the streets of Toronto towards the protest Tent City being held in Allan Gardens.

Today activists and civilians of all ages will be meeting in Queens Park to join hands in the march of “People First” in the name of democracy.

“There shall be no peace without justice and no justice without peace.”

Shout Out for Global Justice

2010-06-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

- Join THINK G L O C A L on June 25th at Massey Hall in Toronto -

‘Shout Out for Global Justice’ on June 25 will feature an evening of entertainment and high profile global social justice leaders. The event will bring people together from throughout Toronto, across Canada, and around the world to demand climate, water, trade and social justice, as a counterpoint to the closed-door nature of the G8 and G20 Summits.

The Council to challenge the G20 agenda in Toronto

The Council of Canadians says the G20 is promoting a 'business as usual' agenda rather than what is needed, namely trade, climate and water justice. The Council will be on the ground in Toronto this June to challenge the G20.

Join Event on Facebook

See Event Page

Refilms

2010-06-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone - stumbled across an awesome Video Production company called REfilms. They are located in Toronto and strive to make videos that made a difference.... check them out!

"REfilms is a production company that is committed to the creation of film and video work that provides a source of social commentary. Whether the production highlights the efforts of a social entrepreneur or reveals an injustice, or celebrates the triumph of the human spirit or a truth of the human condition, we want our videos to promote dialogue and inspire action"

"Creating engaging and inspirational productions that feature stories, ideas and individuals that have social significance. We strive to make videos that make a difference."

Shout out for Global Justice

2010-06-12T20:44:00.001-07:00

The Council of Canadians is announcing plans for a large pubic forum in Toronto at the end of the G8 Summit in Huntsville and on the eve of the G20 Summit in Toronto. ‘Shout Out for Global Justice’ on June 25 will feature an evening of entertainment and high profile global social justice leaders. The event will bring people together from throughout Toronto, across Canada, and around the world to demand climate, water, trade and social justice, as a counterpoint to the closed-door nature of the G8 and G20 Summits.

Attend the event!

Statement from Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and Liberal MPs on the Second Anniversary of the Residential Schools Apology

2010-06-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

OTTAWA – Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff made the following statement on the second anniversary of the residential schools apology made in the House of Commons:

“Two years ago today, history was made as Parliamentarians stood in the House of Commons and officially apologized for the historical wrongs that took place at residential schools across Canada. We in the Liberal Party are proud of the new chapter we have opened on healing and reconciliation in Canada.

“Despite this step forward, the current government still refuses to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, even though they made a promise in the Speech from the Throne to Aboriginal Canadians to recognize the rights of the world’s 370 million indigenous peoples.

“The Liberal Party stands firm in its commitment to endorsing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, and in the belief that only when all Aboriginal peoples – whether First Nations, Métis or Inuit – can live and raise their families in healthy, safe communities and can fully share in the opportunities and dreams of their fellow Canadians, that Canada will have achieved justice and reconciliation among our people.”

Read Full

Amazing opportunity with Habitat for Humanity

2010-05-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

Looking to get involved in your community this summer? We've found the perfect opportunity!

Habitat for Humanity is looking for 25 volunteers on site each day to help provide more suitable living conditions for a family in need, right here in Cobourg!

So roll up your sleeves, grab some friends, think glocal and get involved!

Read the article to find out more and find out how you can help.

Habitat build set for Cobourg - Lots of elbow grease needed for ambitious project

Summer action - here we come !

2010-05-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and dedicated readers;

First, I must send my apologies for the leave of absence in my posts. After returning from Mexico for 5 weeks with a partnering NGO Quest Internacional, I took some 'personal time' to focus on what the next portion of our journey would be.

Since returning I have spent some time putting together some videos of our quest in Mexico which I'm now ready to share with you! My hopes are you will like what you see and want to become involved. If not, at least you got to learn a little bit more about us folks at - Think G L O C A L - and Quest Internacional.

Since a lot of the information, blogs, videos, etc. we have shared with you have shown issues taking place abroad, we have decided to dedicate this summer to focusing on the issues that are present both locally and internationally, but are physically occurring in our own backyards. These issues include indigenous rights, human rights, social justice, gender equality and environmental movements.

Although it is important to know these issues are occurring all over the globe, we must recognize what is right here in front of us. We must also acknowledge we don't always have to travel to neighbouring countries to create change.

Let's see how we can help here.

In the meantime, please take a moment to become more involved with - Think G L O C A L - by joining and subscribing to our social media outlets:
(Copy and paste web addresses into new internet page)

Our youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/MissMichelleyN

Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=83015840418&ref=ts

Twitter Account http://twitter.com/mnewlands

Thanks a bunch - and keep an eye out for our videos or check them out on our youtube channel!

-Think G L O C A L - & Mn. <3

Have you graduated and want to expand your career options outside of Canada?

2010-04-14T20:17:00.001-07:00

Want to make a difference in the world, but are not sure how to go about it? Want to learn to travel ‘off the beaten path’, but do it safely?

Loyalist College is planning a one year, post-graduate certificate program starting this fall as an International Support Worker (ISW). The goal of the program is to prepare skilled and knowledgeable staff and volunteers to work in international development organizations anywhere in the world.

Canada has played a unique role in international development, and although there are a few university programs teaching about economic or political theories of development, there are few opportunities to learn how to travel safely, and the practical options for development.

The range of skills needed in developing countries is limitless. Therefore, students with any Diploma, or Degree will be eligible for admission. A Nursing grad might assist in public health in a clinic; a Business grad might contribute to developing Fair Trade; a Media grad might help with ‘telling the story’; a DSW grad might help with literacy or support services in another country; etc. The program is limited to 20 students.

This limit is mostly for safety reasons because the students will spend four weeks in Southern Mexico exploring development options and talking directly to people who live in dire socio-economic and political situations. We have to be safe about this.
Students will also be expected to do a month-long individualized internship where they will blend their previous training with their new skills to support people in another country.

You can view some videos on Youtube:

Introduction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSfu-HodN8c

expenses of program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNeJNQyEZlQ&feature=related

sample of exploring development: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5FQQtQi4Ho

Any questions, please contact Gary Warren at gwarren@loyalistc.on.ca

Gary Warren
Coordinator, ISW Program
Loyalist College

Final reflection and thoughts of Quest 2010

2010-04-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****

“I’ve learned more about my country in the last two weeks being here in Mexico than I have living my whole life in Canada.” – Holly Hoekstra, DSW Student

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“It’s easy to turn the chancel at home about a commercial on poverty but to see it first hand is a completely new experience.” – Mia Howes, DSW Student

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“I had few expectations for the Quest Trip but not all of them were met. I did have a great time during my two weeks stay and I am still processing all that I did and saw. Side note - The Mexicans are crazy drivers! … and I loved the restaurant Mananitas!” Charity Peeling, Nursing Student

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“Change begins with each and every one of us. This emotional roller coaster that we have all been on has been an eye opener and life changing experience for me. Thanks to Quest, Gary, Niel and Sarah for it all. My favourite memory would have been meeting the Lopex family, not because it was the happiest but because it was the most ‘real’ for me as far as seeing the fight for survival.” Kyle Austin, DSW Student

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“If I were to bring anything back to Canada from going on this Quest it would have to be friendship. The friendships made with the people on this trip, sharing the journey with me and the friendships in the people we met. I am grateful to have been able to come to Mexico and am definitely a changed person. This experience was amazing! I recommend discovering the culture of Mexico to anyone.” Martie Cannon, Child and Youth Worker Student

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“Are lives are so much more than the sum of our experiences. I am so grateful for this opportunity. I love being given enlightenment and purpose that would never be attained in a classroom. I bring so much back with me that I will carry for life. I will miss you Mexico and the wonderful friendships I have made…….”All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle. “” Kirsten Hanson, Photo Journalism Student

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“Quest was a chance to experience a new country, culture and make friends. I loved everything I’ve learned and the new opportunities I’ve found to apply to my field. I’m not sure where I will go from here but I do know the things I’ve experienced and learned will be reflected.” Kaitlyn Cooper, Child and Youth Worker Student

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“I am not sure what my personal Quest was before I came, but I can say I finished the trip feeling emotionally, spiritually and intellectually fulfilled. It has been an honour to take steps in this journey alongside each person and I look forward to coordination Quest 2011.” Sarah Hopper, Child and Youth Worker Faculty

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“Quest is more than a trip, it’s an experience of a lifetime. The friendships you make last forever and the experiences you have are life changing. You can’t learn this is a classroom or on your own. It takes a group of people working together to make it happen and give you amazing memories to remember.” Ashley English, SSW Student

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“This experience has forever changed my life. I do not yet know what I will do with my new found knowledge and passion but am excited to begin my new Quest alongside the amazing people I’ve met and will never forget the experiences we have been through together, thick and thin. Overall this trip was amazing, difficult and beautiful!” Alex Kiru, SSW Student

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“Can’t believe it’s all over for another year. I’m still amazed at how much you can learn in just two weeks and the relationships you can strengthen and build. I’m excited to see what the new leg of my journey will bring. No matter what happens I know I’ll have people who support me every step of the way. Vivo.Rio.Amor*“ Caila Widdifield, DSW Student

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“I have never experienced a journey quite like this before. The experiences I have been privileged enough to go through have forever changed my life for the better. Not only did I learn about the culture of Mexico and the wealth of its people but I’ve learned so much about myself as well. I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my life. I hope that I will be adequate able to teach these lessons to everyone at home so these lessons can influence them in even a small part as they did me.” Mikala Labelle, Accelerated SSW Student

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"On this trip I have had so many wonderful experiences and met so many great friends. A special moment for me was when the sisters (nuns) told me how pleased they were that I showed up for a lot of their mass' and prayer time. They game me a gift which I will hold close to my heart forever. I also feel this trip has changed me in a way that will make me a better father and a better man. Thank you all for the time we have shared." Andrew Wiggins, DSW Student

Knowledge is power - Oblivion is bliss

2010-03-28T19:01:00.002-07:00

Canadian soil has presented us with yet another challenge, describing our Quest.

People ask, ‘how was your trip?’ and it is a difficult question to answer. Was it a trip, yes in ways it was, was it a vacation, only from our normal 9-5’s and everyday lives. Yes there was sun and fun and good food but it was so much more than that. Every day was a challenge filled with tasks, learning experiences, growth and development. Things that for some is hard to believe.
When people ask, ‘what was your favourite part?’ I don’t know how to answer. Five weeks can be a long time, especially when every day is filled with adventure, excitement and new knowledge.

Reflecting on all the things we did and all the wonderful people we met, we could take hours discussing our experiences and what they meant to us and how they’ve affected our lives but truth is people don’t really want to listen. Perhaps because they don’t understand, maybe because they can’t relate and others just don’t care.

The last five weeks have impacted our lives greatly, and for some people, this is a difficult thing to understand. Or perhaps they don’t want to. This, we must respect.

There is not a day that will go by where my life won’t be affected by the things I’ve learned from this experience, but I’ve also learned that I cannot force people to believe in the things I believe in. I cannot force them to listen to me and I can’t beg them to support the things I support and care about the things I care about just because they are important to me.

As grateful as I am for everything I have learned I have come to realize the truth about our world is too much for some people and they would prefer to be oblivious. We all must decide, as individuals, where we want to stand, ‘knowledge is power and oblivion is bliss.’

I will share what I’ve learned and my experiences with those who will listen and I will do all I can to make information available to those who want to learn more.

I look forward to meeting more of the similar kinds of people I’ve been privileged to meet in Mexico. People who care less about fashion, mainstream television and what people are saying is ‘cool’ and more about what matters to me like human rights, social justice, the environment, education and access to clean water.

I’ve learned these things aren’t for everyone and by pressuring people to listen I am only pushing them further away. But I’ve also learned there are many people out there who do care and are willing to listen and work together.
I believe these are the individuals who will make a difference in the world. I believe everyone has the ability to care and the desire to help those in need.

One mind at a time I believe we can shift the focus.

I believe in positive change.

Blind Side.

2010-03-28T19:01:00.001-07:00

Monday, March 22, 2010

On the plane ride to Canada the in-flight movie was Blind Side, directed by John Lee Hancock and based on the true story of NFL player Sean Tuohy. The film is about a young, disadvantaged black man growing up on the tough side of town who is given a second chance. He is taken in by a well to-do family, given a place to stay, a proper education and an opportunity to try his luck at football.

Many could say this film had little to do with our trip and in some ways I agree. But there was something about this film that seemed to tie everything together for me.

The similarities I saw between this Hollywood hit and what we’ve been experiencing and learning for the last five weeks was the power of people. This movie wasn’t only about football and what we were learning wasn’t only about poverty. Both were stories, stories about real people. They were stories of their struggles, their innocence and their silent hope for something more. These stories were about faith and having heart and keeping hope and not giving up. This story was about a person and a family reaching out to change a strangers life, not because they had to and not just because they wanted to but because it was the right thing to do.

People are born into unfortunate circumstances every day. Just because they don’t look like they’re going to be something special doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the chance to prove the universe wrong. Some of the best things come with rough edges and some of the most wonderful people come in unique shapes and sizes.

To me this movie was about thinking outside the box and not taking things for face value. It’s about going against the grain and is meant to remind people to lend a hand and help those who need it. Not because they have to or because they may get something in return, but because it’s the right thing to do.

Sometimes doing things for others may do more for you than it does the person you’re helping.

Try for courage, aim for honour.

Our last night in Mexico, looking at all the little lights and seeing the big picture

2010-03-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Never in my life can I recall five weeks going by so quickly. It seems only yesterday the four of us girls met at 5:00am at the doors to the Toronto Pierson Airport to begin our journey. Within this short period of time we have grown as individuals, as a team and have learned so much about ourselves, each other and the world around us.

Sitting here on our last night, it’s interesting to look back and try to pick a favourite day, as each and every moment has been inspirational, irreplaceable and unforgettable. Staying with the nuns in Cuernavaca, meeting with street vendors, climbing mountains, meeting with independent community members, being invited to indigenous church ceremonies and special lunches, exploring the Centre of Human Rights, meeting with Canadian journalists, environmental activists, sociologists, liberation theologists, street children, videographers, English teachers, non-profit organizations and monkeys in the jungle.

I don’t know what I will talk about with my friends and family first; communicating with people in a language I can barely speak, listening to stories of harassment and abuse from men and the government, riding in the back of pick-up trucks, catching city buses, flagging down taxi’s, being dropped off at the wrong place, nice dinners, bad dinners, strong people, funny people, lonely people, swimming in a waterfall, hiking through ancient ruins, climbing massive pyramids, sea doing in the ocean, horseback riding on the beach and laughing up and down the streets of Mexico.

Each day was an adventure and each person I met has given me something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. As I look out the window of our apartment in Zihuatanejo at all the city lights, for what will be the last time, I think of how every light represents a household and a family, perhaps with more than 5 people for every light.

Looking at them scattered across the landscape they look like a collage of dimly lit candles, some strong, others fading and barely noticeable. I can’t help but wonder what it would look like if all those little lights were grouped together. If all of the people within them worked as one, how brightly that light would shine.

If every light represents at least one person and if we put all those lights and all those people together how strong they would all become and how brightly that light would shine. The cluster would become a ball and if it kept rolling it would grow and perhaps the world would be a better place.
Not only here in Mexico, but for people who live in all those little lights all around the world.

A girl named Lety

2010-03-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

Friday, March 19th, 2010

About six years ago the Quest group met with a young Mexican woman named Lety. She could not read, write or speak English but was still said to be wise beyond her years. One of the staff members at Loyalist College was taken away with this girl’s talent and potential and offered to sponsor her to go to school.

When Gary spoke to Lety about this opportunity and asked her, “Where do you want to go to school?” He thought she would have picked somewhere nearby, Cuernavaca, Mexico City, but no Lety replied, “I want to go to Loyalist College, I want to come to Canada!”

To Gary’s surprise he relayed the message to the sponsor and without hesitation she agreed and soon after Lety was on a plane to Canada. Today we met with Lety’s father, walking up and down the beaches hands filled with homemade basked and bags of material to make jewellery. We sat and spoke with him for a while.

Thinking of his daughter I can only imagine the shock of this young woman as she flew into Pierson Airport, took the 401 to Belleville and pulled into the driveway of the house she would call home for the next six months. For us Northerners coming to Mexico is a shock, seeing the conditions people live in and the way of life down here is eye opening. Not because we didn’t know it was happening but more because we’d never seen it with our own eyes. For Lety, this young Mexican woman who could not read, write or speak English, she was actually learning about things for the very first time and seeing them for herself; a washing machine, a dishwasher, a flushing toilet, running water, a shower, a bath, linens for your bed, water fountains at the school. It was all so unknown to her, so foreign.

Gary told us a story about Lety and how one day she was walking down the hall and saw a water fountain.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“That’s a water fountain,” Gary explained. “You turn this and water comes out for you to drink.”

“Who do I pay?” Lety asked.

“Nobody, it’s free,” Gary said.

“Your president must be very wealthy and very kind to let you have drinking water for free,” Lety said.

Another story was when Lety was going to take her first shower. She was shown how to turn it on and when she did she started screaming.

“All the water is going to go into your kitchen! It’s all going through that hole in the floor to the kitchen!”

Lety had never seen indoor plumbing, or plumbing and running water of any kind. She didn’t understand how one household could have their own well and how the water wasn’t going to end up on the floor in the room below. These were things Lety was shown and taught.

Goes to show you some of the things we take for granted.

Here in Zihuatanejo

2010-03-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

After an interesting four weeks our group has arrived in the city of Zihuatanejo. There’s a unique contrast here compared to the places we’ve stayed so far, Cuernavaca, San Cristobal de las Casas, The Lacondon Jungle and Palenque.

The apartment we’re renting is close to the Ocean and the majority of the people we see on our 5 minute walk down to the beach are white and speak English! The majority of others are upper class Mexicans on vacation or lower class Mexicans working the beaches selling jewellery and homemade baskets. All of the houses on our street are large and beautiful, fenced in with gates, barbed wire and barred windows.

The women who owns the place we are staying in, Joa, says we must be careful to always lock the doors and not leave anything of value in open view of the windows when we leave. As the majority of locals know this area is mainly for tourists it is a great target for thieves. Those who are not aware of their surroundings let their guard down.

Walking along the beach with my feet in the sand I sometime forget exactly where we are. Our last four weeks in Mexico have been spent in rather rough conditions, visiting families sharing a one bedroom house between seven people, have no toilets or running water, living in squatter settlements or in fear of harassment and abuse by the government. Looking around the only houses in view are big and beautiful with balconies and patios, gardens and pools and some even have two car garages. The others belong to hotel chains.

It is difficult to imagine we are even in the same country as the places we’ve been visiting until you head away from the beach and further into the city. Passing through the streets to pick up groceries and explore, the colour of people’s skin turns darker and the size of the houses get smaller with less detail and expensive design. The streets are more cluttered with garbage and Spanish again becomes the dominant language surrounding us.

It’s also interesting to see the shift within myself and other members of the group. At one time on this trip the sound of English and the colour of white was a comfort and something we would try to seek out. Now the sound of English and sight of white skin represents tourists. Not necessarily a bad thing, just something we aren’t necessarily accustoming to with the way we’ve been traveling and the places we’ve been going. We appreciate that type of travel more and definitely prefer it.

Again we travel

2010-03-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

March 16th, 2010

Woke up early to enjoy one last breakfast in the jungle with our new Mexican friends from the state of Tabasco. The six of us sat together and talked like old friends until it was time to start packing. We exchanged email addresses and hopefully one day we will meet again. Then it was time to go.

At 9:00am we pulled our things once again over the limestone paths, packed the van and hit the road. It was another hot day and we were all thankful we would get a stop at Aqua Azul , a beautiful swimming spot with crystal blue waters, waterfalls and small rapids and currents, on our way to Palenque.

On the way we passed through three different check points. We were asked to step out of the van at two of them. Our driver spoke with one of the military men telling him where we were from and where we were headed, us three girls lined up alongside the road and Gary spoke with a different military man while yet another went through our things in the van. The man handled our things very gently and they assured us this was protocol to reduce trafficking of illegal drugs, alcohol, firearms, wild life and immigrants.

About 10-15 minutes later we were able to get back in our cars and drive away. We all noticed the manner in which they handled us and our belongings and compared it to the way they treated Mexicans or other dark skinned people. Often they will rampage through their belongings, ripping and tearing things apart. They will tell them to get out of the cars and sometimes force them to lay face down on the ground until they are finished. It is shameful and upsetting to think that the colour of your skin can dictate the amount of respect in which people of authority treat you with.

Today we took a trip through time.

2010-03-16T22:46:00.000-07:00

Saturday, March 13, 2010

I found myself sitting in a small motorized canoe-like boat heading to the ancient ruins of Yaxchilan in Chiapas, Mexico. Wind blowing in my hair we passed families fishing and cleaning their clothes in the rivers tide. I felt as though from where I was sitting I was in the middle of past, present and future.

With Mexico’s border to my left and Guatemala’s to my right, I thought about the lives that were lost right here in this river as refugee’s tried to swim or struggle from one border to the other in hopes of something more. One side of this river was the past representing struggle and shadow, the other the future representing light, hope and accomplishment.

Sitting between these two worlds separated by a body of water and guarded by soldiers with guns, I was sitting in a dugout fiberglass canoe in the present, looking at the imaginary line that determined the fates of so many people.
It’s difficult for me to believe that circumstances can be so different for families living on either sides of this river, the distance so close but their worlds so far apart. People risking their lives to get from one side to the other without knowing what the outcome might be. I felt blessed to be born in such a great country as Canada, where I am free to come and go as I please. I do not wake up in fear and am not at risk of being harmed by those who are supposed to protect me.

I looked again from one side of this river to the other; the people on both sides and me in the middle -- past, present and future -- we all really do live completely different lives.
* * * * *
Our boat ride came to an end and we jumped on shore and headed up the massive set of stairs to the mouth of the jungle where we would begin our hike through the ruins. To avoid the clutter of tourists we decided to do the hike backwards as it was one giant loop and we would still end up leaving from where we began.

As we headed through luscious greenery under the beaming hot sun we explored what would have been the city of ancient Mayans as far back as 600 A.D. Remains of their beautiful city that had been hidden for thousands of years underground were right in front of our eyes. we could see them and touch them and could only imagine the lives of the people who would have lived inside these ancient homes.

In relevance to other ruins in Palenque these were rather small but are said to still be some of the most fascinating. We saw old temples and places of worship with faded art carved into the walls and ceiling telling stories and writing history. We walked up the steps leading to the homes of royalty and walked through the jungle paths covering what were once streets of the city. We sat on a path and listened to the sounds of the surrounding animals, woodpeckers, squirrels, birds, and there it is: the howling monkeys! This sound was incredible!! Intimidating and strong we could hear them marking their territory to their unknown visitors, us.

As more tourists approached the sounds slowly died and we continued on our way. We ended our hike at what was meant to be the beginning or the entrance to the city where we used the flashing lights of our cameras to guide our way through to dead ends and pitch black passageways. With the flicker of our lights we could see bats, tons of bats hanging from the ceilings and bunched up in groups. We saw spiders the size of our hands and couldn’t help but let out a few girly shrieks here and there. We felt as though we were back in time, wandering through the corridors the ancient Mayan people had made to distort and confuse unwanted guests trying to enter their city. We sat and admired the architecture and brilliant detail that went into every inch of these ancient structures.

Again, yet another brilliant day.

Only in a Mexican Jungle ! _____________________

2010-03-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

Friday, March 12, 2010

Long hikes and beautiful falls. Natural clay and minnows. Ancient ruins and new guests. Only in a Mexican Jungle.

When we arrived in the jungle I felt like I reconnected with nature, something that seems to be lost and forgotten living in North America. One of the first things I did when I arrived was removed all of my jewelery and put my watch away. During my stay here I was not going to keep track of time. The sun will tell me when to wake and my body will remind me when it’s time to sleep.

We woke with the roosters living close by and headed for breakfast. Soon after our friendly driver Olisio met us and introduced us to Victor, the young indigenous boy who would be taking us on our day hike through the jungle. We began the hike walking though a beautiful archway of wines with red flowers. We walked up hills, across rivers, over rocks with Victor explaining the names and purposes of certain plants along the way. We saw three different ruins that were built well over 2,000 years ago. Victor said they would have been homes to about 3 or 4 ancient families. Based on the location and construction, they appeared to have belonged to wealthy families within their time.

After the hike we came to one of the most beautiful waterfalls I have ever seen. Flowing crystal water with small queries surrounded by beautiful greenery with butterflies... and other little bugs... flying around. Victor bent down and grabbed a handful of natural clay and told us we could use it as a natural exfoliant. Next thing we knew we were all laughing and covered in mud, and he was right, smooth as a babies bum!

Victor, Lynne and I climbed up the waterfall and crawled through a cave until we reached the top. From there we could look down on the others swimming and resting in the sun, we took a few moments and just sat there taking it all in. This must be how it feels to be at the top of the world. To our left we noticed a small house with a man swinging in a hammock between two trees, the way one might have lived hundreds of years ago. Dressed in his traditional flowing, loose robes and living under what we might use as a boat shelter in the winter and living off the land, the little he had impressed me more than any mansion with a three door garage.

We returned home after a full day of hiking, swimming and exploring and took some time before dinner to rest. I napped in the hammock, Chrissy did some reading and writing and Lynne drew a picture of me swinging. Life here seems simple and peaceful, it’s something I believe everyone should experience in their lifetime.

I still can not believe I'm here.

Into the Jungle

2010-03-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

Thursday, March 11, 2010

This morning we said goodbye to San Cristobal and headed to our next destination; The Lacandon Jungle.

The road twisted and turned and went through beautiful valleys and hills. We passed through military zones beside Zapatista territory and stopped at a small restaurant and played with a child. Indigenous Mexican’s stood at the side of the road selling bananas, coconuts, traditional robes and more. We passed coffee cooperatives, people carrying stacks of wood on their backs up the road and spotted beautiful crystal clear rivers below.

The ride lasted seven hours and was a journey all of its own.

As we drove I thought back on our last days in San Cristobal. I thought about all the fantastic people we were blessed to meet, Paul and Diane Poirier from Arthur Frederick Community Builders, Nadia from Natate and The Tree House language school, the communications director and freelance videographer Sarah, Canadian journalist Dominique Jarry-Shore, Minerva the teacher of Medical Spanish or Diego from Frayba - Center of Human Rights, The American Priest Father Miquel, the dreamer from the steps Steve, Laurence the owner of our hotel or the nice man who was always smiling who served us breakfast.

All of these amazing people were brought together to share their life experiences and knowledge. All I could think about was how lucky we were to have met them and learn from them and how lucky the students of the new International Support Worker program will be to be able to meet these people or people like them next year on their Quest to Mexico.

Learning like this can become contagious.

Around 5:30 pm we arrived at our new home deep within the jungle. Our cabins were led by a limestone path and sat beside a river. Our house was made out of wooden planks strapped together, topped with a tin roof, two bunk beds with mosquito nets, no door and a wooden patio with a hammock. Shot gun!

The four of us sat and swung and talked about life and all its glory and misery as the sun slowly set and the day came to an end. Laying in bed we slowly fell asleep to the sound of flowing water and singing crickets.

I could get use to a place like this.

Canadian mining companies responsible for exploitation

2010-03-10T22:01:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

“To be a defender of rights in Mexico is a great risk,” Center for Human Rights in San Cristobal de las Casas.

Loyalist students spent the morning visiting at Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas - Frayba, or the Center for Human Rights. This is a non-profit Civil Organization, independent of any government or political ideology or religious creed.

When we entered the school we were introduced to numerous of the staff and explained the different departments of the organizations and who covered which regions of Chiapas such as the highlands, the jungle Mayan rights, Guatemala boarder, etc. We discussed with one employee her responsibilities of immediate attention. When people come to the center looking for help her job is to sit with them, listen to their story and decide what’s the next step, whether it be directed to a certain department within the facilities or external support. The employee said a large example for this is violence against women and helping them find a shelter or alternative support system or victims of torture from within their community or by government or official figures of public authority.

Another huge topic we talked about was mining exploitation. We spent quick a lot of time discussing current mining issues taking place in Chiapas and the effects it is having on the communities and on the environment. There are over 90 mines in exploration and 60 in exploitation.

An even bigger shock and something I will never forget, is a CANADIAN mining company is responsible of such exploitation.

Blackfire Mining is a Canadian company based in Calgary and is responsible for environmental exploitation and are in a current battle over the assassination of an anti-mining activist named Mariano Abarca. To read more about this current, controversial and eye opening story please read Chiapas based journalist Dominique Jarry-Shore’s article at http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/3166

Many a days I find myself bragging over the fact that I am Canadian and not American, I find this even more true when I am travelling. To hear that a Canadian company is responsible of such corruption, violence and violations of human rights made my stomach turn, my jaw drop and my heart sink. I could not believe it, I was overwhelmed in disappointment. I was disappointed in my country, in my government and in myself. I had become ignorant to such important matters that I strong stand against and could not see the truth hiding behind the red maple leaf of our flag.

Not understanding Canadian companies, companies we unknowingly support, are responsible for such evil and corruption almost makes us as guilty as the people sitting in the chairs behind the desks making the decisions. As Canadian citizens it should be our duty to hold these corporations responsible for their actions and demand all work is ETHICAL ! We should not support companies who exploit land, pollute water, don’t support fair wages and devalue and hurt others.

If you are interested in learning more about on the subject and WHAT YOU CAN DO read this article on the new proposal coming to Toronto, Ontario this summer at http://www.dominionpaper.ca/g20

The companies who are exploiting the land are from our countries and so we are already involved, let’s work together to make these efforts in the right direction.

The Center of Human Rights was something phenomenal, I learned so much and support what they are doing. They say some times finding people who understand we must fight together is hard. But they are right. We must fight together. It starts with every individual.

Yep, this means you!

"This type of treatment is common

2010-03-09T21:38:00.000-08:00

... in communities who want the right to freedom."

Monday, March 8, 2010

Mexico is known as a country that has always been in a constant state of conflict. Conflict between the people, the state, the police, the military, the corporations, the foreigners and the indigenous people. The story is no different in the specific case of 30 indigenous families living in a small independent community in the southern state of Chiapas.

One thing people must understand is that Mexican’s are not only in conflict with people of other communities or religions but also that of their own people. When people within these communities or religions want to change something about the sequence of tradition within their communities or personal lives other members can grow angry.

An example of this is took place in the small community that Loyalist College students went to visit outside of San Cristobal de las Casas.

In 1992 an indigenous community was faced with conflict from their communal authority. The people wanted to drink and listen to music and make their own decisions. Leaders of the church disagreed with this and threatened to send the people to jail if this continued.

Between 1992 and 1993 houses were burned and members of this small movement were forced outside of the community in fear of abuse.

In 1994 the people of community contacted the municipal president and said, “We are defending ourselves, this is where we live, where our families are, our houses, our animals.”

For the next four years they lived in relative tranquility with no war fare or extensive violence or abuse.

In 1998 this community decided they wanted to construct a church in order to have somewhere to go to be closer to God. They saved up enough money and in 1999 they began to build.

On May 26, 1999 members of the community were working on the church when 45 armed men, including political figured, showed up in dump trucks and surrounded them.

“Who gave you permission to build?” They demanded.

“We gave ourselves permission,” they said. “This is where we live and this is what we want.”

The armed men began beating the people of the community - men, women and children.

The community got together shortly after the attack and decided they wanted to keep working. This was their land and this is what they wanted.

Rumours started spreading that more than 300 men were going to come to the village and at 6 am on May 29, 1999 men in masks showed up with arms surrounding everyone.

Families were hiding in their houses and the men destroyed the church and took all the materials. They took an elder of the community, grabbed him by the arms and legs and started swinging back and forth him and threw him. They hit the preacher with a weapon and he lost his eye. They beat everyone.

The armed men left and within days the leader of this now independent community under attack, was being charged with use of weapons and pistols and pepper spray.

“This is not true!” the man said. “My only weapon is the bible, my only weapon is the truth!”

He was sentenced to three years of probation.

The men told Loyalist students how this type of treatment is common in communities who want the right to freedom. They are being exposed and beaten.

For trying to be free the government would not let the children enter the school and in 2000 their electricity and water was shot off. These resources were being used as weapons against the community. They were forced to walk 2 km to a watering hole to get water and had to carry it the 2 km back. This water was not sanitary and once they brought it to the village it had to be boiled in order to drink. To this day this is their only source of water.

On January 26, 2003 two men of the neighbouring rival community disappeared and were never seen again. This community had so many enemies it could have been any community responsible for the disappearance, but these people blamed this particular independent community.

Wither or not these individuals ever truly went missing or if this was used as a reason for sabotage will never be known. The people of this independent community say in their cultures families of the dead mourn for 32 hours after their death. The families of these disappeared men never mourned, the very next day they entered the independent community and started shooting.

They killed the 18 year old brother of the leader of this community as well as shot his mother and other members of the community. When they released gun fire it was dark and in the process of violent warfare two policemen were killed.

Authorities grabbed seven members of the community, including a 14 year old boy, and blamed them with the death of these police men, even though no members of the community owned a weapon of any kind. Their only weapons were their bibles and the truth.

The leader of the community and his wife left their village for 3 years in hopes of limiting the violence and conflict within their independent community. They asked for help of members of the church and began demonstrations. The news became national and then international.

One of the prisoners went on a 34 day hunger strike living off water and honey and on the third demonstration over 16,000 indigenous Mexicans and supporters demonstrated in the streets of San Cristobal de las Casas. Their message was heard and after five years of injustice these seven people, wrongfully accused, were released.

Eighteen years after the conflicts began, this community remains independent and non-violent. They live together and protect their own. In ways they are similar to the internationally recognized Zapatista movement in the way they needed to stand up and march. They are all fighting for the same things, their freedoms and their rights.

Without this human rights movement the communities surrounding San Cristobal de las Casas would not exist. The majority of mountain communities exist because they were forced out of their communities and needed to start again. None of these people are asking for anything but to be left in peace and free to live as they want, to have the same rights as we do as Canadians.

Today the community remains poor and without running water. They still make the 2 km trip to and from the watering hole numerous times a day and have a collection of rain water for drinking.

They live this way not because they want to but because they have to. To protect their heritage and identity and to eliminate conflict they must be separate from those other communities. To raise free minded children and teach them about who they are and what the earth can give them and what they can give the earth and to give their children power to stand up for their rights and their freedom.

The community is a unit. They work together and make decisions together on what their community needs as a whole. No decisions are made without the contributions and opinions of all members.

This independent community has received Canadian support from different non-profit organizations with whom they have relationships with built on trust, to create better schools and will hopefully one day be able to have a water filtration system for clean drinking water. The community says they would be honoured and grateful for any help others are willing to give.

“If your hearts are ready to help us, our hearts are ready to receive.”

- Binding Together -

2010-03-07T20:42:00.001-08:00

Sunday, March 7, 2010

- It is difficult to understand religious conflict when you don't understand religion -

In a time and place I could never have imagined, surrounded by people I’ll forget I made sense of a thing called faith.

In the village of Corazon de Maria five Canadians, an American priest and a French translator joined the community for a service. We entered the small but stunning church, decorated in flowers, candles and pine needles and were invited to sit at the front of the service. We introduced ourselves to the community and thanked them for welcoming us and inviting us to share this day with them.

“I am here,” as they would say in their native tongue.

The service was beautiful and full of music and laughter and stories of liberating figures in time. They spoke of forgiveness, community and following a path of goodness. They read from their bible and did communion. At the end of the service they asked us to share how our hearts felt.

Gary Warren, founder of Quest Internacional, said that sometimes people from the north are outsiders trying to come in. Today we were all together as a community, on the inside, together.

I thanked them for sharing a piece of their faith and tradition with us. I told them how much we appreciated it and how we would keep this faith and their faces in our thoughts and our hearts as we continue our journey and will bring it home.

We were honoured with an invitation to a meal after the service. We were privileged to sit at the same table as the priest and organizing members of the church. We shared a delicious meal of chicken in broth with rice and tortilla’s. We sat as friends and discussed our different countries and communities that seemed worlds apart.

“Do you have poor people like we do here,” the Decan asked.

Perhaps we do, I thought. But our wealth is mainly materialistic and we aren’t rich like you are. You are rich in culture, tradition and faith, something I envy.

After the lunch we spent time with the community, played with the children, spoke with the women, took pictures and laughed. It was probably the best experience I’ve had so far on this year’s Quest.

We then sat with the priest and discussed many things including the base of religion, religious conflicts, liberation theology, women’s rights and roles within the religious community. We talked for over three hours and made sense of things I’ve only ever wondered.

The topics were broad, the conversation was deep and the meanings were real. Each individual in the room had an experience and something to share. We spoke of words like religion, faith, conformity, expression, guilt, judgement, liberation, dictation, experience, togetherness and relationships.

I could share with you what I discovered and what it meant to me or I can share with you some of the things that were said and you can discover it for yourself. -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

· “I felt it and I need to know what it meant.”

· Liberation – See with your eye and listen with your ears –read newspapers, talk with people

Think – process, debrief, reflect and analyze

Act –do it critically

· “Get the deposit --- fill the bank” --- your mind is empty and I will fill it as I choose; teacher to students, write this down, remember this, this is right, this is wrong.

· Don’t question authority ... question everything!

· “It is not supposed be sensational. It is suppose to be real, ordinary, it’s what people do.”

· -- To patronize –

· Missionaries, the idea of ‘let me save you’

· “A church should look like its face, like the face of those inside it” --- the priest says he must look like them, not them look like me, because one day I will leave and they will remain

· -- We learn together –

· “To accompany an idea.” --- to go with it

· To let them do it themselves

· “Absolutely scandalous”

· -- killing your neighbour –

· How do you know what you desire? Is it based on a model of what you want?

· “Desire leads to imitation”

· “Similarity leads to competition and rivalry”

· “Conflict comes from a desire to differentiate”

· “I spent a summer learning to kill people in the army and decided to go to the seminary”

· -- Community, argument, appeal –

· You have to feel it

· It is ignorant to history and insensitive to culture

· Indigenous theology /movement

· “Romancey of religion”

· Reconstruct cultural heritage

· -- Bringing people together without fear of prejudice or intimidation –

· “We know this from the part, but what about the future”

· “Dialogue is a key word”

· -- You don’t need to conform –

· -- CAN’T I BE IF I WANT TO BE? –

· “If the focus is right”

· Companion Soul – divine presence, someone accompanies you.

· -- Question oriented – answers will come later, if at all –

· Couching vs. Refereeing

· --Religion Vs. Faith, System and Structure vs. Relationships, Form vs. Content, Faith vs. Reason

· “Religion can bring out the worst in people”

· -- I want to save the world from obnoxious Christianity –

· Acceptance vs. Judgement

· “Express yourself to the universe”

· Zen – silence, stillness – clarity

· Healthy religion = search mode

· Quest, Questing and Questions

· Syncretism – one form mixing with others

· Religion = to bind together

· --they are wise – hold the mystery of contradiction –

· PARADOX

· The tension of exploration: Finding that which is true and devine

· “We are in a constant state of BECOMING”

· -A search for identity –

· “Humility = to be human, to be close to the earth, to be grounded, we come from the earth as dust and will leave as dust”

· Be a part of the whole, not apart from the whole

· “The ears pay attention to the worlds”

· “You can only spit into the wind for so long”

· Zapatistas 1994 –low intensity warfare

· --Vibration of energy –

· “human interaction in the purest form”

· Difference is acceptable... similarity is threatening

· -- Diversity is Biology as it is culture –

· Resemblance and similarity is threatening

· “Ethnographic”

· --I am Here –

· “The best way to help is to understand and to understand we must learn through experiences and dialogue with others”

· Politics of gain and pain are complex

- Think G l o c a l -

Remembering Visit with Chair of Toronto Star

Faces of Prestea - Impacts of Mining

Nzulezo - the village on stilts

Totally Togo

Chair of the Toronto Star Visits Ghana

jhr AUCC Official Executive Handing Over

Rotary Launches Road Safety Campaign

Thanksgiving in Ghana

It's Time to Get Writing

Biking as a Tool for Women Empowerment

From Intention to Interpretation

Commuters Crash

Best shower ever – there is hot water!

Trip to the Western Region with AUCC jhr Chapter Members

A look at local human rights issues in Accra

So, I moved to Africa?

The journey is half the adventure

Our first week in Ghana and what a week it was!

Canada Day at the Canada High Commissions Office

Spending my birthday in Ghana!

We've made it!

Yet again...it's time for pre-departure!

Going to Ghana

Zapatistas Flood San Cristóbal by the Thousands, Join Call to Stop the War

The re-entry process: reverse culture shock

The Tree of Life - in a place called Tule

Our adventure has brought us to Oaxaca

Palenque to the Pacific Coast

Goodbye to the Lacondon

The rainforest - beautiful, complex and mysterious

Goodbye to San Cristobal de las Casas

A journey to Teopisca and a day in relationship building

ps - I also half fell in the river.... but it was cool

Our light-labour projects in the mountains of Chiapas

Business as a form of empowerment

Update from Chiapas, Mexico

The process of learning

O'Canada our home and native land...

In Remembrance of Bishop Don Samuel Ruiz - A Man of Peace

Theatrical performance of Palenque Rojo

Cathedral in San Cristobal

'Real Mexico is within the family'

Let children be children

Let children be children

A mixture of cultural tradition and colonization

Finally here - ISW students make it to Chiapas, Mexico

No more sleeps in my own bed, now I sit and wait - ISW students do Mexico

Countdown to Chiapas!

Voting is a privilege

A good use of social media!

“The Women United.”

Global Harmony Gift Show

Has expanded to new territory

What's going on ?!

Human Rights Docfest, huge success!

Friends of - Think G L O C A L - wake up the streets of Leogane, Haiti with a little bit of dance and a lot of soul

Journalists for Human Rights invites you to Human Rights Docfest 2010

* UTSU (University of Toronto Student Union), 12 Hart House Circle, across from Hart House * NFB Mediateque Toronto, 150 John Street (at Richmond St. W, Osgoode Subway Stn)For ticket purchases and information, contact:

Kirsty Hong, HR Docfest Promotions Coordinator: kirsty.hong@utoronto.ca, 647-883-9727

Michelle Newlands, -Think G L O C A L -michellenewlands@hotmail.com289.251.3122

Sophie Langlois, HR Docfest Director: sophie.langlois@utoronto.ca;416-797-9444Please visit www.hrdocfest.com for ticket details

G20 brings out the best in all -

A word from the REAL world leaders - scrap the summits!

Shout Out for Global Justice

Refilms

Shout out for Global Justice

Statement from Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and Liberal MPs on the Second Anniversary of the Residential Schools Apology

Amazing opportunity with Habitat for Humanity

Summer action - here we come !

Have you graduated and want to expand your career options outside of Canada?

Final reflection and thoughts of Quest 2010

Knowledge is power - Oblivion is bliss

Blind Side.

Our last night in Mexico, looking at all the little lights and seeing the big picture

A girl named Lety

Here in Zihuatanejo

Again we travel

Today we took a trip through time.

Only in a Mexican Jungle ! _____________________

* UTSU (University of Toronto Student Union), 12 Hart House Circle, across from Hart House
* NFB Mediateque Toronto, 150 John Street (at Richmond St. W, Osgoode Subway Stn)

For ticket purchases and information, contact:

Kirsty Hong, HR Docfest Promotions Coordinator:
kirsty.hong@utoronto.ca, 647-883-9727

Michelle Newlands, -Think G L O C A L -
michellenewlands@hotmail.com
289.251.3122

Sophie Langlois, HR Docfest Director: sophie.langlois@utoronto.ca;
416-797-9444

Please visit www.hrdocfest.com for ticket details