Today is the anniversary of the 1944 revolution in Guatemala. Dictator Jorge Ubico was forced to resign his office in response to a wave of protests and a labor strike. So this afternoon I went with my Spanish teacher to a protest in Parque Central in honor of the anniversary. Bryce is not taking Spanish class this week because he is still applying to medical schools, but he joined us at the protest. It was very interesting to hear the socialist groups criticize the global economic forces that keep Guatemala in a subservient and dependent relationship with multinational corporations and powerful countries like the United States. There was also strong criticism of the curruption that exists within the Guatemalan government, sex tourism, violence against women and children, poverty, racism and other social ills. Apparently this is one of the few days during the year that the government/police force tolerates any kind of public protest in Guatemala. Of course it was mostly rhetoric without much concrete policy reccomendations. Viva la revolucion! was a common chant. Also, el pueblo unido jamás será vencido (the community united will never be defeated!?). Of course, I felt right at home.
Last Thursday had the opportunity to attend a class of Voces de Cambio, an organizaton that brings teenage girls of varying backgrounds together to discuss political and social issues affecting women and their identity. The participants complete a 10 week course of discussuions, debates, photography and writing. Their photography and writing is then exhibited in Xela. I attended the final class of a group of 6 girls where they were honored for their accomplishments with a piñata and cake. They were very giggly and self conscious and...teenagerish. I didnt get to sit in on any of their more serious conversations. I did, however, get to meet the 3 Voces de Cambio employees/volunteers and I will be meeting with them again tonight. The photography/writing exhibit is November 18th and I think this meeting will be our opportunity to plan for the exhibit. It seems like a great organization and I look forward to working with them. I may also be helping them with some grantwriting!
Last Friday Bryce and I did clinic inventory with Maggie, the education director of the clinic. We inventoried the pharmacy and education supplies and then walked all over the city buying supplies for the upcoming week. This will be Bryce's responsiblity each week when he takes over as clinic manager.
Saturday I went Champerrico, a beach on the Pacific coast of Guatemala! There was black sand and warm Pacific water! I wish Bryce could have joined us but he was diligently working on medical school applications. I went with four other students from my Spanish school (two Americans, a Canadian and a young woman from London). The niece of the director of my Spanish school as well as her friend, accompanied us. They were very helpful and we all got to practice our Spanish together. It was a loooong day of chicken busses, but well worth the 4 hours of sunshine and swimming.
Thats all for now...more adventures to come Week 3!
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