My Time with Oxlajuj B’atz’

Posted on April 24, 2012 by OB Administrator Leave a comment

After three months in Panajachel and with Oxlajuj B’atz’ I leave feeling rewarded and blessed but with a hole in my chest at the thought of saying goodbye after such a short time. Recalling my first Monday at Oxlajuj B’atz’, I remember how overwhelmed I was. I had never been to Guatemala and after a full three-hour meeting in Spanish I was thinking – I really should have brushed up with a little Spanish course prior to heading south. But in less than a week everyone was familiar and I had a grasp on things; however, it took a good month to spell Oxlajuj B’atz’ correctly. I accepted the Guatemalan cheek kiss greeting and birthday sing-along (well, not entirely). I loved group lunches, seeing the staff busying about with new projects, and watching as a team contributed to the improvement of programming and community initiatives. I greatly appreciated the enthusiasm of the community facilitators and was astonished by staff and volunteer commitment to appropriate, successful project planning.

Oxlajuj B’atz’ was a unique experience in that it was the first small scale, community centered NGO I had worked with. I worked primarily on social media, templates and advertising material, in addition to helping plan International Women’s Day. Oxlajuj B’atz’s connection to the communities and understanding of the obstacles and social settings make them unique and well placed to create inherent, self-driven change for the Maya women. While they are a small organization, OB has a laudable vision and respect. The staff is so utterly dedicated, the leadership is sincere and committed, and the volunteers are talented and ambitious. I am eager to see how the organization and Women’s Center grow in the coming year; it is an exciting period of development and I am convinced only wonderful things will happen as the Fair Trade Store and Center enhance products and programs.

I will miss walking in to Casa Cakchiquel and being inspired by the potential of the organization, groups, and the building. I will miss Lucy’s passion, Nancy’s strength in character and organization, Letty and Mildre’s enthusiasm and sheer happiness, Reyna’s efficiency and knowledge base, the Chipiline lady always coming right after lunch, and the entertaining antics of certain, special volunteers.

I will miss waking up and seeing the volcanoes and lake, to think each day… “Wow, I live here, and it takes my breath away every time.” The country, the people, the geography, and the program were utterly incredible. I hope those that may read this have the opportunity to experience and contribute to such a special place.

Amanda Gordon – 24-4-2012

Guatemala, OB Blog, Panajachel

Rug Hooking Tour Testimonials

Posted on March 26, 2012 by OB Administrator Leave a comment

Testimonials from our recent Rug-Hooking Tour:

I can’t say enough about my recent 10 day Rug Hooking  experience in Guatemala with Mary Anne Wise and Jody Slocum. You could not ask for a more competent, good humored, unflappable leaders to see this beautiful country. The tour was set up to include time with indigenous women from rural villages who are part of a cooperative women’s empowerment program. Because of the thoughtful design of the tour and the cultural
competence of the leaders, we were able to spend significant, meaningful time with these women both as they worked at the cooperative (13 Threads) and by visiting their home villages. We were able to enter into their lives and share a common ground as women and artists.

All the details of the trip were meticulously planned for us. I have been to Guatemala 5 times and this is the first time I did not suffer GI distress. The food was delicious and safe. The rooms were clean and everywhere the settings were beautiful.

A big bonus was the women who were attracted to this tour, maybe it was that Mary Anne and Jody were the magnet and/or, maybe it is that rug hookers are a great folks to be with.
I highly recommend this experience. I would be happy to discuss this further and can be reached by email: cstockman2 at verizon.net

- Chris Stockman, February 2012

 

Whether a rug hooker or not, this was an opportunity of a lifetime to not only visit another country, but to actually participate in the culture of a proud, generous and hopeful people. Their beautiful ear-to-ear smiles are genuine even though their stories are often times hard to hear. Each person you meet touches your heart and awakens your soul to new thoughts and ideas. Their artistry is dynamic; alive with great energy and emotion and not to be missed. Once you see how they create their textiles, you will never be able to look at woven, hooked, beaded items in quite the same manner or possibly even as casually as you may have in the past. The tour was  extraordinary – we saw and did so very much in a very short time. I will never forget this trip!

-Shirley Plumb, February 2012

Guatemala, Latest News, OB Blog, Panajachel

Rug Hooking in Guatemala Tour

Posted on March 7, 2012 by OB Administrator Leave a comment

The first ever rug hooking tour to Guatemala concluded on Sunday, Feb 26th, 2012. Ten women from Texas, Massachusetts, Montreal, Wisconsin & Minnesota buddied up with our nine Guatemalan student rug-hooking teachers. 

We were united in purpose: to share rug hooking experiences and to build meaningful cross cultural friendships. Over the course of one week the Guatemalan rug hookers helped the visitors design and color-plan a hooked rug imbued with uniquely Guatemalan ‘flavors’.  While simultaneously rug hooking we shared personal histories, family photos, food, hugs- one of us even ‘google earthed’ her home in Texas and without understanding a word of spanish, she found her buddy’s home in Totonicapan right there on her ipad!

Thanks to the North Americans for taking the ‘leap’ and for making this dream partnership become a reality for our Guatemalan rug-hookers. It was an experience our students from Quejel, Patanitique, Totonicapan and Chirijquiac will never forget. Still more ‘thank yous’ to Rosa Garcia Garcia and Yolanda Morales Calgua for inviting us in to your homes at Patanitique and Quejel. Your presentations to our group- including a folk dance demonstration just for us- made us feel welcomed, special, and deepened our appreciation for the daily challenges facing Guatemalan women.

Thanks also to the staff and interns at Oxlajuj B’atz’ for their attention to detail and for being on hand to translate whenever needed. A special thanks to Reyna Pretzan for always knowing how to set the exact right pace. Is there an award for Best Tour Guide Ever? If so? I nominate Jody Slocum for her boundless energy, enthusiasm, insights and consideration. Jody is truly one of a kind.  Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the Delta Family Foundation. 

Prior to the tour I gave a lot of consideration to the pairing of the rug hooking ‘buddies’. The task was complicated for I had never met half of the north americans. However, I did know the Guatemalans because we’ve had the pleasure of working together for nearly 4 years. In the end, I made a list and mentally noted each student’s strengths and weakness and simply ‘winged it’. Here are two stories about the new rug hooking ‘buddies’.

All best,

Mary Anne Wise

Jean & Carmen
I knew the Guatemalan women would adore Jean, 80 years old from Mankato, MN, and so I paired her with Carmine, our Guatemalan student who, during previous classes has exhibited the lowest self esteem of any student. Carmine often needs to be reminded to speak above a whisper. She has come a very long way but she is still uncomfortable voicing her opinion. And yet she can enlarge scale free hand and hook like a dream. I knew Jean would be patient, attentive and kind: Jean is the embodiment of grand-motherhood. Over the course of several days it was an absolute thrill to watch Carmine help Jean design a rug. Carmine insisted that Jean “hook the right way” and pulled out any stray loops.  Slowly Jean’s rug took shape as Carmine’s vision appeared on the monks cloth loop by loop.

Jean brought photos from home to share with Carmine and Carmine brought in her photos, too. None of us had ever seen Carmine’s photos: yellowed black and white snap shots of Carmine as a young woman; color photos of her 2 sons and 1 daughter posing for the camera and looking thoroughly modern and, more recent photos of Carmine in the rug hooking classes. It was lovely, just lovely watching the women bond.  By the time the tour concluded, Carmine was walking on air.

Peg & Rosemary
You don’t need to be around Peg long to understand her ability to connect with teenagers because at heart she’s still a teenager, too. Peg is a retired high school art teacher from Red Wing, MN. Pairing Peg with 15 year old Rosemary was a no-brainer.

I met Rosemary for the first time when she arrived in the January ‘Teach the Teacher’ class. Another more experienced rug hooker was supposed to participate in this class but she was unable to get permission from her husband. In her place, OB selected Rosemary. My first thought was: she seems young, she’s only hooked 2 rugs, but after observing her work ethic I understood OB had made a good choice.

All along Rosemary has been telling me she attends school- I was confused by this because if she was in school, how could she get time off to participate in rug hooking classes and attend the rug hooking tour? Oh well, I pushed the thought aside.

Over the next few days Peg teased apart Rosemary’s story…. I had never heard Rosemary’s story so I was especially curious to listen as Peg gently probed her brief history. As if they were Rosemary’s big sisters, OB staff members Reyna & Mildred held her hand as they translated into english Rosemary’s painful life.  Her father is long gone… her mother has 4 other children, all younger, and she needs Rosemary’s help to feed the family. Rosemary has been cleaning houses since she was 5 years old.

Rosemary’s mother has been very critical of her ‘art’- it didn’t sell. Going beyond criticism, her mother told her she wasn’t any good and she should stop coming to the classes, she should stop rug hooking, she should go back to cleaning houses. Recalling her mother’s hurtful words, Rosemary breaks down in tears.

And then, miracle of miracles, somewhere along the line her two rugs sold. Her mother has now changed her tune: she wants Rosemary to teach her how to hook.

It turns out the school Rosemary was referring to? it’s the rug hooking classes- that’s her school.



Guatemala, Latest News, OB Blog, Panajachel

Who knew anatomy could be so much fun?!

Posted on March 2, 2012 by OB Administrator Leave a comment

During the past few weeks I´ve had the privilege of traveling to ten rural communities with OB´s facilitators to present a program about human anatomy. This had been requested by OB´s members and written into the annual plan.

We started by writing a curriculum. Given our time frame, 3 hours for each group, I thought we might cover the circulation system. But the facilitators, Lucy, Mildre and Letty had grander ideas. They wanted to cover the whole human body, with presentations in multiple local languages and they made it happen!

Following a head to toe outline they used creative activities to enable participants to demonstrate various functions of major systems in the human body. Posters, skits and mime helped connect complex anatomy and physiology to the women´s daily activities. The room was filled with laughter while we all balanced on one foot, felt a companion´s heart beat, and watched someone refuse to strike her companion, because she could exercise the power of reason and refuse to do so. Poignant memories were recalled in another demonstration of brain power.  One woman shared the experience of receiving her first pair of shoes, at age 14.

Women of all ages attended, some came from quite a distance and some with their small children.  In one case a grandmother politely asked permission for her young adult grandson to join us.  Before the presentations many women could not identify the correct location of their heart, stomach or kidneys. Some were able to state the names of organs or systems but did not know their functions.

In one group a few of the older women shared their experiences with menopause and then asked for a future program with more about the function of the reproductive system, not for themselves but to share with their daughters.  Most had not been to a doctor and few had previously discussed personal issues with anyone. Many requested more information about the digestive system and the respiratory system, common areas of discomfort and illness. Some stated a preference for herbal medicine while others wanted more information about the immune system.  Feedback confirmed that everyone gained new information and the majority requested more.

For me, the trips themselves, to distant communities, were an educational adventure. We often started before dawn, taking 4-8 different vehicles on any given day. These included vans, pickup trucks and buses, full of more people then would seem possible, in addition to the ubiquitous tuks tuks, three wheeled vehicles that provide essential transportation in most cities. We also walked through a few corn fields and some local markets as we made our connections. Breakfast on the run included hot chocolate milk with rice, so delicious, and habas. This is a hot drink made from broad beans, not my favorite, but very nutritious. These trips were very time consuming so there was ample opportunity to enjoy both sunrise and sunset over Lake Atitlan, undulating landscapes, distant volcanos, and vistas of terraced crops. Everywhere people were wearing their colorful handwoven clothing.

There´s a limit to what can be covered in three hours, even for OB´s highly skilled community facilitators. Yet we covered more ground then I thought possible. As my part of this project draws to a close, I stand in awe of the dedication, creativity and resilience of the women who staff Oxlajuj Bátz´.  Each one supports the others while working together toward stated goals, truly a “dream team” and I thank them for giving me the opportunity to join them.

Pamela Marble – 20-2-12

 

OB Blog

Teach the Teachers

Posted on February 10, 2012 by OB Administrator Leave a comment

Mary Anne Wise and Jody Slocum of Cultural Cloth, LLC have been partnering with Oxlajuj B’atz’ for over three years on an initiative to bring the craft of rug hooking
to OB’s groups. This technique, very different from weaving, introduced a new opportunity for income generation and encouraged our artisans to express themselves freely and creatively whilst integrating elements of their Maya culture into the rug designs.

The following is an excerpt from Mary-Ann’s travel journal after her recent trip with Jody to OB in January to teach the first of four Teach the Teacher workshops scheduled for 2012. In these workshops Mary-Ann works with nine of our star rug hooking students teaching them to become design teachers to help the women in their co-operatives learn the craft. This first session included two days of travel to Guatemala City & Antigua to collect information, sketch, take notes, and listen to presentations by experts in textile development & traditional arts at the Museo Ixchel, Guatemala City.

“It’s impossible to describe what a treat it is for these women to be away from their responsibilities at home. For most of them, their day begins at 5:00 a.m. making breakfast, tending animals, and keeping their families on schedule. Around 9 a.m. their ‘work’ begins: textile production, tending crops, gathering wood for cooking fires, preparing more meals. And so on until bedtime at 10 p.m.

This field trip turned out to be a good idea. Who knew that only two of the 9 women had ever been to the City (an experience they don’t remember because they were quite young). The former director of the Museo (Barbara Knoke) welcomed the women and made them feel immediately comfortable – no intimidation at all. She is very good with los indigenous and remembers (unlike me) to pause for her Spanish words to be translated into Quiche. (Three of our students barely speak Spanish).

Jody, BJ & I met Barbara on our very first buying trip for the first trunk show in 2006. She has done amazing work documenting traditional clothing and collecting samples before they disappear forever. She understands the textile traditions here are quite fluid and ever changing. Even though she is now retired, I am delighted she agreed to give our students a
special tour.

The student’s assignment was to sketch ideas for rugs from the older textiles on display at the museum. I was uncertain if they would feel comfortable sketching and so last week, on our final day of class before leaving for our ‘field trip’, we took a practise walk down Santander, the main street in Pana. I wanted them to get comfortable sketching so we stopped at textile vendors here and there, pausing to draw design elements from various textiles.

The minute we entered the Museo today they whipped out their sketchbooks. Two of the women brought their small children on the field trip, too. The reality is they don’t have anyone back in their village to tend these toddlers and the only option is to bring them along.

I was disappointed that Soyla didn’t come on the field trip. Her rug was my favorite in the Anderson Center exhibition and she is one of the most talented in the group. Soyla opted not to come on the trip because she is facing all kinds of pressure, she rec’d Q500 for a rug and was away from home in our class for a couple of days. Back in her small village, gossip swirled all around, neighbors speculated where did the money REALLY come from, and what was she REALLY doing in Pana, and how shameful to leave her children. All of this gets back to her husband in the US and when they speak on the phone, he is unkind. She does not know if she should continue with the class. Which is too bad beause she has so few options to earn money. And: she is so talented.

Lucia, the assistant director at OB assures me: if rug hooking is something Soyla really wants to pursue (and it is) Lucia will find a way to get her the support she needs.

If anyone can help Soyla it’s Lucia!!

On the plus side- in the: Ya Win Some Ya Loose Some category, Sindy came on this field trip. I was told her husband did not give her permission to attend but I’ll be damned if she wasn’t at the bus first thing this a.m. Sindy is hugely talented, too.

It’s been a full day. I know they’ll be up early- I seriously doubt any of them have ever slept in past six a.m.- so we’ll continue our work in la mañana. Before the field trip concludes, they will be given their homework assignment for Monday: arrive at class with 2 designs for new rugs based on a textile you saw at the Museo. You must make multiple templates of the design elements in a variety of scale and I want to see all of the
templates, too.”

Guatemala, OB Blog

Thoughts on Oxlajuj B’atz’

Posted on January 10, 2012 by OB Administrator Leave a comment

When people ask me what I will miss most about life in Guatemala, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one thing.  I will miss the view of sparkling Lake Atitlan, resting at the base of volcanoes San Pedro, Toliman and Atitlan.  I will miss the friendly nature of the local townspeople, who greet you with a smile and always, a buenos dias.  I will miss Sunday market mornings, navigating our way through the rows of ruby red tomatoes, ripe melons and sweet basil.  I will miss chilli rellenos, sugary plaintain rellenitos, chicken pepian and piping hot tortillas.  And most of all, I will miss Oxlajuj B’atz’.

I never could have imagined that those strange two words – Oxlajuj B’atz’ – would come to mean so much to me.  They represent a variety of things – Thirteen Threads, Trece Hilos, Maya women, weavers, sewers, grandmothers, granddaughters, basket-makers, community leaders, and more.  And now, to me, they represent two and a half years of memories, growth, laughter, and understanding.  For in my time at Oxlajuj B’atz’, I have learned that a small group of dedicated, humble and creative women can actually elicit change.  At Oxlajuj B’atz’, the core staff of Lucia, Ramona, Reyna, Leti, Mildre, Gloria, and Nancy are planning, strategizing, practicing to create educational workshops and a social enterprise that improve the lives of over 400 indigenous Maya women.  Amidst all the obstacles – mudslides from hurricanes, delayed meetings from logistical disorganization, intra-community bickering from ages-old grudges – we accomplish our goals.  It’s a simple, remarkable truth, yet one that always seems to catch me by surprise. 

At OB, there is a comfort in the fact that all of our projects are undertaken through the lens of building local capacity and approaching development sustainably.  Our Strategic Plan is consulted regularly, our Annual Plan crafted meticulously, our Business Plan scrutinized diligently, our Monitoring & Evaluation system utilized creatively, and our Educational Workshops practiced thoughtfully.  And mixed into all of the planning and analyzing is the secret ingredient to our success: everyone cares.  Reyna cares about the women who are trying over and over again to create new placemats from vetiver; Mildre cares about why the Chirijquiac group President and Vice President are not getting along; Nancy cares about organizing our supplies, coffee and office space so we can comfortably enjoy our workdays; Gloria cares about the women from Patanatic knowing how to vote on election day; Leti cares enough to remember the names and children’s names of every woman in every group; Lucia cares enough to sacrifice nights away from her four children so that she can finish one more curriculum; and Ramona cares about it all.

Enacting change in developing countries is not easy, and all the fanciest technology tools, statistical knowledge, and well-meaning expatriate advice mean nothing if the beneficiaries themselves are not themselves integrated into decision-making. At OB, 80% of our staff are indigenous Maya women; they live in the same neighborhoods, hold fast to the same values, and work towards the same future.  Our plans for the next few years – a member-owned social enterprise, local medicinal plants health promoters within the communities, and teaching burgeoning artisans to themselves be teachers – are purposeful, and aimed at really building local capacity.  We have no illusions that it will be easy, but we are all guided by the same notion that having the commitment to do it right is essential.

I have been told over and over again by volunteers, community partners, and visitors alike that we have something unique at Oxlajuj B’atz’.  I’ve always known that – it’s easy to feel when I walk in the front door of the Casa Kaqchikel every day and smile.  It’s easy to hear if you’re passing by our Monday morning staff meetings and hear laughter escape through the door.  It’s easy to know from the look on the faces of the women in the communities stopping by to drop off payment for a micro-loan, a new hooked rug, or to conduct a demographic interview with a facilitator.  There is a deep-seeded respect that has been built at Oxlajuj B’atz’ that permeates everything we do; I have learned to love that about Oxlajuj B’atz’.  Because of this experience at Oxlajuj B’atz’, I am more patient, kind, creative, and determined.  I am confident that I will take every moment with me on my next journey; the lessons of Oxlajuj B’atz’ will keep me fighting for impoverished women around the world all my days through.  And I will be forever glad that I took a leap of faith and landed so absolutely perfectly at Oxlajuj B’atz’ in Guatemala.

Andrea J. Branchaud
Former Director of Development & Monitoring and Evaluation
Oxlajuj B’atz’

Guatemala, OB Blog

US Exhibition Travel Journal

Posted on October 27, 2011 by OB Administrator Leave a comment

Check out our Travel Journal with photos and accounts of our U.S. Rug-Hooking Exhibition!  http://www.traveljournal.com/journal.php?id=354&rm=0

Events, Latest News, OB Blog

Musings from abroad

Posted on October 13, 2011 by OB Volunteer Leave a comment

As a volunteer with OB since early September, I’m a little delayed on posting about life’s trials and tribulations in Guatemala. Blame it on the persistent rain and now, the widespread damage to all roads leading in and out of Panajachel. While the rains haven’t exactly affected my internet connection or work responsibilities, I do suggest you check out photos of the mudslides that have destroyed homes and left our queridas facilitators stranded in Pana, unable to return to their families until the roads are cleared.

Preamble aside, I’ve decided to switch things up in this post. Instead of recounting my experience in Panajachel, our Field Supervisor, Lucia Chavez, shares some observations about her recent trip to the United States with OB community members Rosa F. Garcia (Patanatic) and Yolanda Calgua (Quiejel) and Executive Director Ramona Kirschenman. The four women returned to Guatemala last week after a whirlwind trip to the Midwest where Rosa and Yolanda presented their beautiful rugs at the Anderson Center exhibition “Mary Anne Wise & Friends: The Art of the Hooked Rug.” In addition to the exhibition arranged by Mary Anne Wise and Jody Slocum, the women also visited the Minneapolis Institute of Art to view huipiles (traditional blouses) from the early 20th century, attended a Hot Flashes concert and mass at the Minneapolis Basilica, gave presentations at the Textile Center and University of Wisconsin (Eau Claire), met with Native American women, and reunited with former OB volunteer and Watson Fellow Mady Kreider Carlson. And of course, there was the requisite trip the Mall of America and a roller coaster ride.

And now, Lucia tells us how strange Americans really are or in her words, “not at all.” By now she’s used to their peculiarities after having worked with many Americans in OB. “One of the things that surprised me about the people (in the United States) is that they were proud of us, proud of walking with us. They appreciated and valued our presence. It’s incredible; there was a strong connection even with those who could not speak to us (in Spanish). They expressed everything with a smile and without any words there is so much to be said.” This connection was something Lucia mentioned over and over again and while it certainly reflects her warm demeanor (we’ve bonded right?), she believes there is more to it. For her, it’s the act of opening ourselves up and inviting others into our lives that creates a resilient bond. She added, reflecting on the difference between Mady she knew in Guatemala and the Mady she saw on this trip, “in the United States she has a car and a relatively comfortable life, but she came to Guatemala. She walked with us through the rain, shivering. One feels the harmony between people – when you come here to share with us and when we go to the United States. I was welcomed and cared for.” Impressive to know that Americans are regarded as friendly and welcoming…Perhaps it’s just the Midwesterners.

Another important memory from the trip was the visit to the Textile Center.  While viewing ceremonial huipiles from the 1950s, Lucia “wanted to cry. It was incredible – one feels an energy seeing these relics that are so well preserved. I never knew a place like this existed when I was younger and now I want my daughters to have the same opportunity. We cannot go to a museum like the Textile Center in Guatemala and while on the one hand it’s disheartening, I see how these things are looked after in the United States and I am not sure that would happen in Guatemala.” The opportunity to see historic Guatemalan artifacts underscored Lucia’s commitment to her children’s education. For her, the lack of opportunity and more importantly, the lack of knowledge have impeded development in Guatemala and for that reason; she wants her children to learn as much as possible in order to have opportunities and advocate change.

Having missed her children so much, Lucia returned not only with the loving embrace of a mother, but with presents: “I brought back a few stones from the Mississippi and gave them to each one of my children. I told them that there were responsible for returning the stones one day.” Until they make it back to the Mississippi, Lucia’s children will take care of their presents and their mom now that she’s finally home.

- Lucia and Shilpa

Guatemala, OB Blog , ,

Election Realities

Posted on September 22, 2011 by OB Volunteer Leave a comment

It has been about two weeks since I first started working at Oxlajuj B’atz’ (OB).  As a political science undergraduate and a current graduate student of international affairs, I was excited to arrive in Guatemala just prior to the presidential elections. Immediately coming out of the airport I was bombarded by campaign signs of different candidates that were enormous and plastered nearly every two feet down each street I passed. I was surprised, yet excited, to see so many female candidates on the posters for both president and vice president in a country that is known for its machismo (and also saddened for my own country that we do not empower more women to seek executive office).  Once I reached Panajachel, a town on Lake Atitlan where OB is stationed, I saw groups of young people running together wearing matching  t-shirts of different political parties and felt like I was constantly followed by tuk-tuks or trucks that played campaign jingles repetitively down the streets. On the actual election day I saw hundreds of people wait in lines for up to three hours to cast their vote. I thought this is really what democracy in action looks like, as there were so many more people visibly involved in campaigning and very determined to participate in the elections than I have ever seen in my home country.

Later, at my first staff meeting at OB, I heard accounts from our community facilitators who led voter education trainings prior to the elections and I learned about the reality of elections in Guatemala. Lucia, one community facilitator, asked a group of women, “How much do you think your vote is worth?” One woman responded “10 Quetzales” and another “100 Quetzales.” (roughly $1.25 US or $13 US) Lucia explained that if you sell your vote and so does another person for another candidate, then it as if your vote did not count at all. Therefore, by selling your vote, your vote was in fact worthless. Facilitators also eased the fears of many women who were scared that their vote would be recorded and could have repercussions if they did not vote for a certain party. In a country with such a torment history of violence stemming from a 36 year civil war, the legacies of such fear, mistrust, and uncertainty still run very deep. However, through the work of OB with its amazing community facilitators that go out into the rural communities and educate women about the history of women’s suffrage in Guatemala and their civic rights and responsibilities, this fear is slowly being eroded and a stronger more vibrant democracy is growing in Guatemala.  Societies are at their strongest when all members of the community are active citizens, and while the programs of OB focus on empowering women, they contribute to the development of Guatemala as a whole by building civic leaders from the other half of society, the side that is sadly frequently marginalized.

My time at OB is just beginning, but I have already learned so much from the women that I work with. From day one, I was welcomed with open arms and invited to join and participate in team discussions about issues from the future of OB to how to conduct demographic surveys as part of an evaluation project. I came into OB with an open mind that this would help support my studies, which are focused on gender and development; however, in just a short time I have learned far more than I ever could in a classroom and I am very excited to continue working here, learning from the other women, and exploring the fascinating country of Guatemala!

 –Beth Davis

Guatemala, OB Blog ,

Ethical dilemmas

Posted on July 19, 2011 by OB Volunteer Leave a comment

Though the past six weeks have been incredible, my fellowship with Oxlajuj B’atz’ and Nest has not been without challenges – with the most difficult challenge being navigating the fine line between exploitation and assistance that constantly overshadows this – and all other – forms of development work.

One of the major ethical dilemmas I’ve had is regarding the process of obtaining testimonials and life-histories of the women artisans, which we’re doing to help connect Western consumers to the indigenous artisans producing their products. Ananya Roy, one of my past professors and Founder of the Global Poverty and Practice Minor at Berkeley, called this type of work the “prostitution of poverty” – while the end goal is admirable – and beneficial to the women – this process can also be seen as a form of exploitation, as we’re taking sad stories of the lives and hardships of the women artisans and using them to get funding and support and to help sell their products. The sad truth has been that in each interview, Darcy and I are actively seeking examples of hardships the women have overcome, or of the poverty and challenges that they’re constantly undergoing – because in the business of poverty and development, these are the stories that sell.

Obtaining consent from one of the artisans to use her story and image online

Another dichotomy I’ve struggled with since arriving is the goal of alternative trade organizations – like Nest and Oxlajuj B’atz – to preserve indigenous culture and history while at the same time opening up indigenous producers to new and expanded markets for increased profits. Even within the alternative trade sector, organizational models and

missions vary greatly. For example, Oxlajuj B’atz’ places a much greater focus on empowerment and capacity-building of the Mayan artisans themselves, and directly providing an expanded market for the artisans’ products –through the Fair Trade store – is only a small part of the overall mission. Organizations such as Maya Hands, Maya Traditions, and Nest, however, are more focused on international exports and thus play a greater role in directing the artisans in their designs and production process. Each model has its own pros and cons. Whereas outside organizations increasing their involvement in the actual production process can help make the products more profitable and sellable to an expanded market – for example, by improving quality, efficiency, or desirability to consumers – doing so can be seen as a form of unnecessary control, exploitation, or suppression of creativity, and can degrade the unique cultural and traditional qualities to the products. The challenge is seeking a balance between all of these factors, in a non-exploitative, sustainable, and efficient manner.

Lety, one of OB's amazing community facilitators, leading a catalog workshop for the Morales cooperative

As my summer in Guatemala quickly comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting a lot on these and other concerns that have been brought to my attention over the past six weeks. I started thinking about these issues this past semester at Berkeley, as I put together a literature review concerning the impact of fair trade and microfinance on the indigenous Maya in Guatemala, but nothing can really compare to the experience of throwing yourself head-first into a project, making personal connections, and seeing the way things truly are on the ground – rather than making assumptions based on something you’ve seen, read, or heard from an outside source.

-Nikki Brand, 2011 Nest/Oxlajuj B’atz’ Summer Fell0w

Build a Nest, Guatemala, OB Blog