-Our Board of Directors had their third meeting in April to review the year’s budget and plans for the program in Guatemala. It was a good time to build momentum for the coming year.

-The summer 2012 volunteer group has been selected and they have begun the process of preparations for the summer program.  We are extremely excited for the diverse group this year. In addition to the usual group of public health and education-focused undergrad and graduate students, there will be two media volunteers doing workshops with the youth, as well as filming and taking pictures of the program. That means we should have some great video and photography from this year’s project. Check the blog back soon for the profiles of all the volunteers.

-The Jazz for Peace benefit concert in the Bay Area on May 19th was a huge success! There is not a final count yet on how much money was raised, but we are pleased with how much support the community showed.

-A student organization at UC Berkeley has started to sell some of our keychains and bags on their campus as a fundraiser. We are thankful for all their time, it has been a huge help.

-We are finally PayPal linked so you can donate directly to us online. You can donate through the website or this link

We’ll be posting more updates in preparation for the summer trip so check back soon!

Voces y Manos has officially adopted a new logo! It has taken months of working together as a group to develop something that we felt represented us well. The final design is simple and colorful. We are extremely grateful to graphic designer Frances Avendano, who has patiently volunteered her time to develop the final product. Thanks Fran!!

We first showed a clip from the “Unnatural Causes” PSB series, which explains how the poor health of Americans is related to the extreme divisions of wealth in the US, placing a large emphasis on the social determinants of health. The kids then did a reflection on the types of global inequalities happening in the world today. Next, we introduced Voces y Manos, emphasizing our belief that everyone has the right to be healthy. Many of the kids in the class spoke Spanish, and were very excited when they knew that “por el derecho a la salud” means “for the right to health”. 

Next, we discussed the problem of malnutrition in Guatemala, along with a BBC video (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-radio-and-tv-14931751).  We had a discussion about what could be done to combat malnutrition both at home and in Guatemala, and the students came up with really cool ideas. One student even proposed the idea of a community co-op. I was very impressed at their level of engagement! After brainstorming their solutions to address malnutrition, we introduced them to Griselda, Dinora, and Estefani– three VyM students who made community gardens in Chiticoy in response to widespread malnutrition. We watched a really neat clip that Jessica put together of the girls giving a tour of the gardens.  In simple terms, the students were floored. They were so inspired to see students their age making such a positive impact on a community level. We then showed the students examples and pictures of other VyM students and their projects and discussed why each project is important for the community. Because of their capstone projects, the students could really identify with the VyM students, and seemed to be very inspired. 

Lastly, the students wrote “I am” poems with tones of hope and change to send to the VyM students in Guatemala. The students were encouraged to write in Spanish, Spanglish, or whatever they could manage. I had a few very memorable interactions with kids who are native Spanish speakers but have been told in other schools that they shouldn’t speak Spanish. It was truly a gift to see them shine with their language skills! After class when we read the poems, we were really humbled by the level of student reflection and engagement. 

Overall, it was a great honor to work with such forward-thinking teachers and students! We will meet with these students again in the next few months as the partnership progresses. 

-Allison Van Vooren, VyM Intern

Allison presenting about VyM to a class of 8th graders at Vista Magnet Middle School, an IB World School

Mrs. Jacobsen’s class graciously welcomed us! 

If you are in San Diego, join Voces y Manos this Tuesday at UCSD! Come hear about the program and the extraordinary youth leaders in Rabinal.

The event is at 7pm in the Great Hall in ERC Directions are available here:  http://ihouse.ucsd.edu/contact/index.html

We have many more videos to share, they will be posted to our youtube channel as they are completed.

As the year draws to a close, I am reflecting on another incredible year with Voces y Manos, and in particular this latest 7-day visit to Rabinal.  The trip cannot adequately be summarized, so I would like to instead share a few excerpts from the journal I kept during this extraordinary trip.

Days 1-2, 12/17-12/18/: Arrival in Rabinal

 The sights, sounds, and pace of life in Rabinal are now familiar, and the adjustment is no longer difficult. Jessica and I arrive on a sleepy Saturday afternoon, as vendors pack bananas, oranges, tortillas, chickens, and other wares into their baskets, and await the microbuses that will soon take them back to their homes.  We join the line, and I eagerly scan the landscape for familiar faces, but see none.  The bus that will bring us home to Guachipilin is not showing up, but no one is concerned.  In time, the bus will arrive.  Why stress?

The busride to Guachipilin

The following morning we meet with Sandra, the trusted Director of Fundación Nueva Esperanza.  We share warm greetings, and update one another on the latest developments of the past several months.  We review our objectives for this short visit: First, to follow up and record video footage of students’ community projects.  Second, to help prepare students for the next step in their academic journey: the start of their diversificado (High school) careers and, most importantly to jumpstart the formation of the much anticipated Association of Scholarship Students.

To accomplish these goals, we set aside mornings to meet with students.  Afternoons are devoted to visiting students in their communities so they can give us tours of their community projects.  I ask Sandra if all students have confirmed attendance at the meetings, which are to begin the very next day.  “Yes,” she tells me, “except for Rolando and Benito (pseudonyms). I have not received their Study Proposals yet.  For some reason, they seem to have lost contact with the Fundación.” This apparent lack of responsibility is uncharacteristic for Benito and Rolando, who have always impressed me with their earnestness. 

“And the other students?”

“They are all doing extremely well. They have all turned in their Study Proposals, and their projects—well, you will see their projects when you go on your visits, no?”

That evening, I attempt to call Rolando and Benito, but get no response.  Perhaps they have lost their cell phones.  They don’t live too far away and I plan to drop by in the morning.   I get to work on a presentation I will deliver to the youth group the next morning.  By 11:15 PM I can no longer keep my eyes open.  I set the alarm for early, and make sure I leave my shoes in an obvious location.

Day 3, 12/19/11: Together Again!

5:15 AM: I fumble out of bed, and grab my computer to put finishing touches on the presentation for today’s meeting.  I will be introducing students to the photovoice project they will begin this week (more to follow).  At 6:40, I put on my shoes, grateful to find them in an obvious location, and run to the nearby community of San Rafael to track down Rolando and Benito.  I go first to Rolando’s home, where his mom is already busily at work making tortillas.  We greet each other briefly.  She divines the purpose of my visit, and disappears behind a closed door, emerging moments later bearing a bleary-eyed Rolando.  Today is his dia de descanso (his rest day; he has been working as assistant to a construction worker during his school vacation).  He did not intend to be awake at this hour.  What is more surprising is that he did not plan on attending today’s scholarship meeting either. Apparently, both he and Benito were late turning in their Study Proposals, and Sandra let them have it. Rolando was gradually coming to his senses, and led me across the street to Benito’s home. Benito finally came out, shirtless, after we pounded on his bedroom door.  His 6-pack abs rippled, and I asked if he had been working out.  Yes, Mr. Muscles has been working out, he said with a laugh (Mr. muscles is one of his several self-assigned nicknames).  I asked if Mr. Muscles was planning on attending today’s meeting.  “I didn’t know about the meeting,” he said, his facial expression suddenly turning serious. “And besides, I’m out of the program, I haven’t even turned in my Study Proposal.”

“I think we blew it,” Rolando corroborated.

I paused to think for a moment.  If Sandra had indeed told the boys they were disqualified, I did not want to interfere with her decision.  But I felt nearly certain that no such disqualification had taken place.  Knowing Sandra, her intention had not been to remove the boys from the program, but rather to impress upon them the importance of showing greater responsibility.  I told Rolando and Benito that they had an obligation to the rest of the group and to their families to stay involved.  Their participation was critical, and leaving was no option at all.

“Sandra will forgive you,” I said, “Just prove to her you are committed to correcting your mistake.” We talked for a bit longer and the boys committed, without reluctance, to attend the meeting.  “Está bien,” I said bidding them a good-bye, “and, please make sure you arrive to the meeting 10 minutes early!”

8:45 AM at the FNE office: A long daisy-chain of extension cords snakes around desks, through an open window and along the office floor to defibrillate FNE’s long-compatose powerpoint projector. . .successfully.  I feel excited for the opportunity to see all the students again.  But by 9:10, no one has shown up.  Nervousness begins to set in.  Will anyone be here? Then, in walk Benito and Rolando.  I am glad to see them, and remind both to speak with Sandra immediately to apologize and get back on track.

I walk outside impatiently to see who else is on their way.  And here comes Maynor.  It is surreal to see him.  He looks exactly the same, but different in some way.  Perhaps more mature.  The last time we saw each other. . . well, it was the last day of the program, and he was in tears and I was on the verge. I gave him a big hug and a firm handshake which he reciprocated.  He has been well.  Stressed a bit, because he has to work far away on a tomato field for little money, but así es la vida. What can you do?

Here comes Griselda now.  Running down the street.  She’s 30 minutes late and knows it.  Buenos Dias Miguel.  “Buenos Dias Gris! It’s so good to see you!”

Now walking behind her, a bit more leisurely, come her two friends and colleagues Estefani and Dinora.  Both wear their shiny orange shirts from graduation day.  Estefani with pressed black pants, and Dinora with her corte típica (traditional skirt).  And one by one come the rest of the students. So great to see them all.  Sandra greets the latecomers with sarcastic warmth: “Buenas noches jóvenes.  It is good to see all of you again.”

We begin with updates.  One by one, each of the students stands and shares the latest progress they have made on their community projects. Each student amazes me more than the previous.  The growth in confidence and poise.  The maturity, and self-assuredness.  The change over the past few months is subtle yet clearly perceptible.  Juan de Jesus, still introverted in his mannerisms, now stands taller than before, with a newfound composure.  He speaks with clarity and purposefulness as he tells about how he organized 70 of his fellow community members into trash collection crews.  Mardoqueo tells a funny anecdote about how a local TV station happened to be in Nimacabaj on the day he was distributing trees to community members.  He obliged with the reporter’s request for an interview, then later regretted his decision. “Afterwards, I silently hoped my interview would not be aired on TV,” he said.  “But it did appear on TV,” he continued, “And I realized when I saw the program that I gave a pretty good interview after all!” His smile and downward gaze was shy but unmistakably proud at the same time.

The daisy-chain extension cords are still holding, so I fire up the PowerPoint.  “Congratulations, scholarship recipients of 2011!” reads the first slide.  Indeed, there was much to celebrate.  In the past few months, we have received mid-point project reports from all 10 of the prospective scholarship recipients.  This is a first.  Their reports carefully document the extraordinary projects that each student team has completed:

• 1,100 trees planted in Nimacabaj
• 13 community gardens planted in the town of Chiticoy
• 10 community gardens planted in the town of San Rafael
• 240 pounds of garbage collected in the town of Pacux

Yet what is even more impressive than these extraordinary figures is to read the students’ reflections about their experience.  Horacio writes, “Being a leader means taking on a huge responsibility.  You must know the reality of the people you serve, and if you do that, you can benefit an entire community.”  That students have become true, respected community leaders is evident in both their words and their deeds.

Students were pleased to learn that because their mid-point reports were so exceptional, the format for their final report had been simplified.  The new final project, called “Desde mis ojos” (Through my eyes) will follow the photovoice format: Students are asked to take photos of their community that they believe are important representations of daily life and within their culture.  Their task is to describe these photos, and reflect on how they relate to their community work, and their vision of social change.  This projects will be posted to the Voces y Manos website in February.

Day 5, 12/21/11: The Association takes Flight!

Today, Wednesday, is the defining moment of the week.  Today, the current and incoming scholarship recipients will come together to form an association of scholarship students.  The idea for this association has been incubating for quite a while now.  Many of the older students in our program had been looking for ways to stay involved with Voces y Manos after completing their formal requirements.  The vision for the Association is to keep older scholarship recipients involved by means of mentoring newcomers to the program, helping them design community projects, and adjust to their new schools. But plans never did materialize (until now) and the association could not seem to get off the ground.

Today was different for two important reasons.  Not only were the majority of students present, but also the meeting agenda was planned entirely by our students. The youth decided to focus on building community by making the newcomers feel welcomed into the group of scholarship recipients.  To do this, they planned on giving the newcomers advice and recommendations for embarking on their diversificado careers.

After introductions, the students break into 4 small discussion circles.  Newcomers preparing to study at ENBI, the institution that trains teachers, spend over 45 minutes picking the brains of current ENBI students, asking them about everything from homework requirements, to textbooks, to needed school supplies.  Students preparing to become accountants through the Zamaneb Institute similarly met with current Zamaneb students to prepare themselves as thoroughly as possible.  As I walked around the various discussion groups, I saw the newcomers sitting wide-eyed on the edge of their seats, soaking in as much wisdom as they possibly could from their elder counterparts.

Yenifer Valey giving advise to Selvin and Juan DJ

A buzz came over the room when Profe Manuel, and Seño Antonieta made a surprise appearance.  The husband/wife duo are of legendary status within our program.  Manuel, one of the students’ beloved former teachers, has remained actively involved in supporting Voces y Manos.  An expert in Mayan cosmovision, Manuel leads the Mayan ceremony that inaugurates our summer program each year.  In addition, when our scholarship program started 4 years ago, Manuel served as the advisor to the first class of scholarship recipients, Patricia, Silvia, and Adelis.  His wife Antonieta has also been actively involved in the program.  With years of experience helping communities develop projects, Antonieta has provided many of our students with advice on how to develop projects of their own.

The small group conversations wrap-up, and the full group reconvenes in a large circle on FNE’s patio.  This part of the meeting will be a surprise for the students.  Manuel and I will be honoring our first class of graduates.  We stand and address the entire group: “When we started this program 4 years ago, we had no idea it would grow to what it has become today,” we said, digressing briefly to recall a few of the many difficulties we faced in those initial years.  “But thankfully, the first group of students in the program were very flexible, and determined.  They have paved the way for all of you, and we are very proud to recognize them today on an incredible accomplishment: their graduation from diversificado.” All the students cheered.  Patricia and Silvia blushed slightly (Adelis was unfortunately sick and not in attendance).  Manuel, with diplomas in hand, now spoke directly to Patricia and Silvia: “We congratulate you today on this important triumph, with confidence that in the future, you will accomplish many more great things!” Patricia and Silvia, one at a time, embraced Manuel and I, and accepted their diplomas.

A proud moment for Michael, Silvia, Pati, Manuel & Antonieta (L to R)

Manuel now addressed the new group of scholarship recipients: “As we share in the celebration of the achievements of these three graduates, we hope that one day soon, the rest of you will have the opportunity to be recognized as graduates of this program as well.” Clearly moved, the younger students applauded vigorously.

To conclude the gathering, Macario proposed that we go around the circle, and have everyone share a brief reflection on the day’s meeting, and their hopes for the future.  All students expressed enthusiasm to move forward with the association, and several of the reflections stand out as being especially memorable:

“At first, we were unclear about what the purpose of an association would be and what it would do.  Now we feel we understand the purpose of the association. We now have a clear vision.”–Selvin

“Right now, we are like little birds that cannot fly.  We are grateful that we can rely on the older group of students who have had more experience to guide us and support us so that we too can learn to fly and be successful.”– Maynor

It was indeed a powerful moment: One that will set a positive tone in the critical months to come.  Antonieta’s concluding words aptly closed the ceremony, and so too conclude this journal:

“Students, this idea you have, this idea to form an association, is a seed that can one day grow into a beautiful plant.  But just as the farmer must not hesitate in planting and cultivating his seed, you must not hesitate in giving sustenance to this beautiful idea.  This is your big moment.  Take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that the Association will grow and develop into all that it can be.”

Antonieta giving advise to Rabinal's future teachers

Michael and I have arrived safely in Rabinal!  The trip is short, so our schedule has been packed. Thus far, we have been meeting with some of our partner organizations, and the scholarship students, and started filming.

Meeting the students

This trip is a special one for me. I have been involved in Voces y Manos since we started, but have only been able to come to Rabinal since the first volunteer trip in 2008. I am grateful to be able to continue our work on the US side, but it can be hard to be so separate from the community with which we work. My relationship to the students has only been via emailed pictures and scattered stories from volunteers. From what I had been told, I knew these students are amazing. But meeting them yesterday for the first time brought my admiration to a new level.

Michael and I first met the new group of scholarship students in the morning. They were like 15-year-olds from any other country… they arrived a little late, squirmed in their chairs, giggled nervously at their inside jokes, and wore too much hair gel. Yet, at the same time, they had an air of maturity. Everyone had a chance to share about their community projects, and each spoke articulately about how the projects were going. They managed to demonstrate leadership skills just from a short meeting and discussion time.

After the time with the students, Michael and I had a quick meeting with Antonio the contact from Caritas that organized community mentors for each of the students. Caritas went above and beyond for the students, even giving a lot of financial help with the project. We left the meeting thankful to have an partner like him dedicated to the students in Rabinal.

Next came the best part of the day: filming student projects. During the rest of the week, we will be filming all three of the sites.

The Chiticoy Community  Garden

The first project we filmed was the community garden done by three young women- Dinora, Estefani, and Griselda. When told a few months ago that they were doing a community garden, it sounded like a cute idea. Maybe they would have a small garden with a few different types of  vegetables. But what I saw was much more and demonstrated the intelligence and leadership of these three strong young women.

Dinora, Estefani, and Griselda

After arriving in Chiticoy via tuk-tuk, we met Dinora, Stephanie and Griselda. Politely offering to carry my bag and jacket, they led Michael and I along a short path to the first garden. The timing was perfect, two women from the community were busy working there.

One of the Achi women working in the garden

We took a video of the girls showing us all the parts of their project, the different types of herbs and vegetables and why they chose them. While at first they were shy in front of the camera, they grew more comfortable as we went on. Stephanie and Dinora took our digital camera and had fun taking still pictures in between shots. They then interviewed the women from the community in Achi to hear about they thought about the project.

One of the pictures Stephanie took of us filming the interviews with Dinora and one of the women working in the garden

When we finished at the first location, they led us to the second. We went through some narrow paths, the afternoon sun making the light through the mountains and fields look brilliant.

Griselda leading the way

At first I thought we were going to one of their houses to film an interview, but there was actually a second garden. What?? I had no idea they were able to do two… But then I found out they did THIRTEEN gardens throughout their community. It was impressive enough that they could take the time and resources at the age of 15 to organize one, but they completed thirteen. I was blown-away by the power of these young women.

They showed us the second garden located behind the house of a family. The owners were not home, so we could not film there, but it was still good to see. At the final location, they led us inside of the house and introduced us to one of the community leaders that had helped with their project. The young woman walked in with such confidence, and introduced us to the owner of the house. He told us a bit about how much he enjoyed helping the young women with the project. You could tell from his smile that he was proud of them.

The final garden we were shown

The final garden we were shown was the biggest. It was located on a small hill, with old bottles used to create small terraces to separate the different vegetables and herbs.

Using old bottles to create terraces in the garden

There was also laminated print-outs to lable where the different vegetables and herbs are.

The label for "Radishes" in the garden

Not only were their communiy projects filmed, we also got interviews with each of them as part of our “Desde mis ojos” (From my eyes) project we are doing with all the new scholarship students.

Griselda went first. She pulled up one of the bundles of cilantro and during her interview, mindlessly pulled it to pieces. It didn’t look like she was conscious of it, like she was nervous or maybe it helped her think. The sun quickly started to set, making it hard to figure out where to film for the best lighting. But the view was so spectacular with the clouds turning colors and the sky changing that we did not really mind.

Griselda sitting in the garden

We finished with Dinora and Stephanie, then said good-bye.  As we walked through another narrow path leading from Chiticoy to Guachipilin, I don’t think I have ever seen Michael that happy. He gushed about the students and what an amazing day it was. The sky cooperated with our good mood, and we took a moment while walking through a dried-out river bed to look at the landscape and reflect on what an amazing day we had.

Michael and Jessica are leaving this Thursday for a 10-day trip to Guatemala. They will be recruiting a local advisory board to give input to potential health projects, filming a scholarship student’s story, meeting with partner organizations, and enjoying as much pinol as possible. Follow their updates on the blog and Facebook!

We are looking for people with backgrounds in: photography, video, editing, graphic design, and web development. There is a lot of room for creativity and projects can mostly be completed on your own time.

Please email jessica@vocesymanos.org for more information.

Voces y Manos is committed to breaking this vicious cycle of poverty. Our scholarship program allows indigenous youth to complete their high school education, and gain valuable training in community leadership. Our students graduate not only with a degree, but also with the skills and self-confidence needed to build healthier communities, and a brighter future.

We have some amazing results to report: In four years, our Community Leaders Scholarship Program has grown to support 29 passionate, dedicated students. This program is now proving its success.

We have set a big goal: By January 31st, 2012, we want all 29 of our scholarship students to have sponsors, and we need your help to do this.

For just $1 a day, you can become a sponsor for one of our students. As a sponsor, you will receive personal letters from your student, allowing you to take full part in fostering the development of one of Rabinal’s next generation of great leaders. We feel so strongly about ensuring that your support goes directly to impacting an individual student’s life that we make this guarantee:

100% of sponsorships will go directly to the student that you are supporting!

The gift of sponsorship is much more than a monetary one: Sponsorship is your vote of confidence in a student’s potential. It is an opportunity to impact a student’s life, empowering them to change their world. We hope you will consider becoming a sponsor today!

Simply go to www.vocesymanos.org/BecomeASponsor