Last July TRE had a booth at “The Bainbridge Island Blue
Grass Festival”. These festivals are
both fun and a great way to share what we are doing in Guatemala. We sell some
beads and textiles to raise money for our projects and Carol and I sell soap
and handmade furniture to generate a little personal income. Even though it
takes quite a bit of time and effort it is hard to consider these events work
because the day is spent visiting with new people and listening to great music.
One lady who passed
through our booth had first met us at another festival and visited our blog
site so she was familiar with what we are doing. She asked us how she could
help and we shared with her the idea of hosting a bead party. We have been
looking for people to host a tupperware style bead party in their home and
invite 8 to 10 friends over to shop. She
loved the idea and over the next few months 20 or more emails were exchange in
preparation for a party. Carlotta really embraced this idea and not only sharred
with her friends photos of the bead ware but told them about how we would use
the proceeds in our projects. When the
day for the party arrived her friends came motivated to shop! At the end of the
day we were all astounded that we had grossed $1700! This party took place just
days before my November trip. Our projects for this trip had already been
planned and funded so this money allowed us to choose a special way to help. I
knew a group of 101 women who had been waiting for two years for some help.
These women are widows or single mothers that live in the village of Sotzil. The following photos are the ripple that
Carlotta and her friends effort created. It shows how the effort of one person can
combine with others and reach out in a profound way to bless others. We
combined this aid with the donation from another woman , the founder of
Miracles in Action Penny Rambacher who
donated over 300 blankets. 
The village of Sotzil with the plantaion La Perla on the far hill top. This is the olny village we are working in that was not burned during the war. A garrison
of solders stayed at La Perla and could always watch Sotzil so after killing 18 villagers when the first came they felt they hed sufficient control not to destroy the whole village.
Sotzil is a
village that is surrounded by the plantation called La Perla. The village was
deeded a small parcel on the side of the opposing hill. Without any private land
except for their home sites these villagers are dependent on the plantation for
work. Outside of the village the plantation rents parcels of land to the
villagers for Q35 ($4.50) a month so they can raise food for their families.
These parcels can yield 300 pounds of corn each which would sell for Q450. The
corn needs 8 months to grow so the cost of rent is Q280. The difference of Q170 or $21 needs to cover
the cost of seed and labor to work this
1/7 acre plot for 8 months. Wages for the seasonal work available on the
plantation are only $3.50 a day for an adult male. I often feel that this
situation is a form of economical slavery. The people have no other choice yet
the wages and agreement offered are so unjust that poverty and need are going
to continue for generations to come. It is in this situation that TRE is
working to help the village of Soltzil. In 2014 we are planning a major water
project that will bring water to each home. We have been working on the plan for
almost a year now. We also brought wiener pigs for this group of widows in 2010
25 boxes of grinders arrived
In early November we meet with the women’s committee they repeated a request for
hand grinder that would grind the corn needed to make tortillas. The women have
been grinding their corn by a stone and pedestal method. This type of aid is
not really a project or a part of a program but simple a gift to help life be a
little easier. Although our central work is through projects or programs it
feels good to be able to offer a simple gift at times.
The arrival of these molinos or grinders is a big deal and
creates a lot of excitement in the community. We had plenty of help to carry
the grinders to the house where we would disperse them.
Tx’aq’a’m t’eb’kin A
grand gift
These grinders cost $25 each. The brand Corona is well
respected and I overheard many comments about the quality of this gift.
At 10:00 the women gathered and I explained the history of
how this aid came to these women. How Carllota who lives in Washington State invited her
friends to come and support our work and how another woman Penny in Florida saw the
photos and needs of this region and donated the blankets. It felt
good to share that even if life is unjust and hard they were not forgotten;
that from the effort of women in the United States a gift has arrived that I
hope reminds them each day that they are not forgotten.
Na- the term used for older women. When passing a women of this age it is polite to say Mat' in Na which literally says "I am going old woman" Instead of being offended she will reply "E' ba" - it is well. Although it may not translate well Na conveys a level of
respect and achievement that is earned by just living a long life.
These proud women listened intently to these words and
occasionally gave a collective sigh of affirmation. At the end of all our translation two women
stepped forwards and thanked me and the women that gave to provide this aid.
They asked me to carry their gratitude back to these women in the states. There
seemed to be a connection and identification with the women that provided this
aid and those that received it.
So let’s form a line and get started
The
blue blankets are used American airline first class blankets. They are the softest blankets they have ever had.
I should mention this was a long
Long
long line. 101 women were helped this day. 101 grinders and 101 blankets delivered and it all started from Carlota’s bead party. Each day as these gifts are enjoyed there is a reminder of a special day in which caring and love triumphed
Andres, my faithful helper getting the last box of grinders
from the house. For me this is such a telling photo as Andres is always the
first and last person to be working. His heart is so dedicated to helping and
service and he has become such a vital part of our work as well as a cherished
friend.
The
committee of women prepared us a special thank-you lunch of tamales and chicken
soup. These tamales do not have any filling in them and are eaten by dipping or
breaking them into your soup like we would use bread
Uka Ka drinking coffee
After all the work is done here are Manuel, Andres and two
of the leaders of the collective enjoying the satisfaction of a good day. Captured
on their faces is the feeling I often get to experience. The same feeling that
these widows and mothers are feeling after receiving such fine gifts. That
amidst poverty and need there is a level of satisfaction that life just got a
little easier, that as a community we have come together and learned we are not
forgotten. Tantiush le ben se’e Thank you and God bless
A note on the Ixil words-- I hope everyone can allow me a little freedom to play with these words. There are a few Ixil friends that veiw the blog (even though I have never taken the time to translate it into spanish )and they will get a real kick out of it. It is also good for me to keep practicing.
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