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Finca Cielo Azul

Finca Cielo Azul

Category Archives: Discussions on Development

Discussions on Development: Living on a dollar a day

16 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by Alex in charity, Discussions on Development, Guatemala

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

a dollar a day, development, education, Guatemala, living on one, nonprofit, poverty

I heard about a movie that Whole Foods helped to finance, and now part of an organization called Living on One. It’s called…”Living on One Dollar a Day,” and goes something like this:

I think more than anything, I really enjoyed seeing the Guatemalan countryside and it’s people.  It’s been over seven years since I’ve been back to Guate, and seeing this made me really sad that I haven’t been able to go back.  I loved seeing the familiarity of the faces, the colors, and the landscapes.  It also made me hope that someday I can support local charities in Guatemala that promote education– the Guatemalan version of Haiti Scholarships ;)

The short movie, which is streaming now on Netflix, was entertaining and interesting, but like all things relating to development, the issues they addressed are far more complex than they gave them credit for.  As one commentator mentioned in the youtube comments (I know, I know, most of those are garbage…), “extreme poverty” to you and me might not mean extreme poverty to indigenous people.  The commentator made a point that there is nothing wrong with farming and weaving being your source of income, but I guess where this becomes problematic is when an individual doesn’t want to be a farmer or a weaver, but is forced to because they can’t afford an education.

Someone also commented that this film looked like a long ad for micro finance, which it seemed like to me too.  There was one scene where it actually had me researching who financed the film, haha.  But I still think it gives some great basic insight into microfinance and how the idea works: one very small loan can help people go pretty far.

My own initial thoughts as the movie started were, “huh, I wonder if that’s kind of insulting.”  You know, I actually-have-a-really-comfortable-home-and-plenty-of-food, but-I’m-gonna-come-to-your-house-and-pretend-like-I-don’t-so-I-can-try-to-understand-how-shitty-your-life-is-compared-to-mine.  I feel like that criticism can be said of a lot of humanitarian or international aid work-there will always be a cynic about everything, regardless of how well intentioned the work is.  With projects like these though, I think the main goal is to simply bring awareness to other people viewing it that there are less fortunate people out there.  You and I might already know this, but there are a lot of people in our world that really have no clue how well they have it.  And for those people, this really simple look and comparison could be eye-opening.

So, in short, watch it, know there’s a lot more to it, maybe do some research of your own, and tell me what you think!

Ni la tierra ni las mujeres…

11 Sunday Jan 2015

Posted by Alex in Discussions on Development

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

development, feminism, quotes

I saw this image on Facebook a while back, and found it to be incredibly powerful.

Ni-la-tierra-ni-las-mujeres-somos-territorio-de-conquista

“Neither the land nor women, are territory to conquer.”

The translation is difficult for me to make for it to make sense, but what I felt most powerful that doesn’t translate smoothly is that the quote takes on a possessive quality, the second part of the quote says “we are not territories to conquer.”  I think there’s something very powerful about a woman or the land making this statement, rather than just a blanket statement.  I am not a territory to conquer, I am a woman, I am my own, I own myself.  It also makes me sad that these things need to be said: why should a woman have to declare that she’s not to be conquered, if it’s not because people try to conquer her all the time?

Cristina Siekavizza Update

11 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by Alex in Cristina, Discussions on Development, Guatemala, Justice

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

corruption, Cristina Siekavizza, disappearance, Guatemala, justice, kidnapping, Roberto Barreda

About two years ago, I had a series of posts relating to the disappearance of a Guatemalan woman, followed by the disappearance of her husband, Roberto Barreda (the main suspect in his wife’s disappearance), along with their two children.

I also posted about how a specific group of people, including Cristina’s parents, were relentless in searching not only for Cristina, but Cristina’s children.  They mobilized a whole country.

Most of these stories seem to not have happy endings, but I’m happy to provide an update today letting people know that although Cristina has not been found (she is presumed dead), her children were found living in the Yucatan peninsula with their father.  He has been arrested and deported to Guatemala, and the children are now in the care of their maternal grandparents.

The challenge for justice still lies ahead, since Barreda’s mother used to be a judge and has already shown considerable influence in this case.  I want to be hopeful and think that justice will prevail and that Barreda will go to jail for what he’s done, but time and time again I seem to be disappointed by the judicial process in Guatemala.  Time will tell.

Discussions on Development: Not surprised.

26 Saturday Oct 2013

Posted by Alex in accountability, Discussions on Development, frustrations, Guatemala, impunity, legal

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Genocide, Guatemala, impunity, justice, politics, Rios Montt, trial

Back in March I wrote about a historical trial taking place in Guatemala.  Since then, it’s been quite a roller coaster of events.  The trial was interrupted multiple times by some fairly dramatic antics from the defense, but the trial eventually moved forward and the judge found Efrain Rios Montt guilty.  You’d think that would be the end of it (perhaps maybe an appeal), but far from it.  The Constitutional Court of Guatemala ordered a re-trial, and it escapes me now but I believe it was on the grounds of the in/admissibility of certain evidence by the defense.

Since then, the case has been in limbo pending the re-trial.  Until this week, when the Constitutional Court ruled on another motion that was filed by the defense.  The Constitutional Court has now ruled that Rios Montt may seek amnesty for the charges based on his position as general at the time of the crimes.  UGH.

As much as this is disappointing, it’s not surprising, and maybe that’s what’s even more disappointing.

There’s a more in depth analysis here.

Aside

Discussions on Development: Trial of Efrain Rios Montt

26 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by Alex in Discussions on Development, Guatemala, Justice, politics

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Guatemala, justice, Rios Montt, trial


For the last week or so, I’ve been wanting to post something on here about the historic and on going trial of former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt. It’s historic because it’s the first time that a former head of state has faced charges for genocide and crimes against humanity. And in Guatemala, none the less. In Guatemala. A country where people usually get off the hook with a bribe to the judge, or the prosecutor, or maybe because they harass a few witnesses. But this trial is actually happening. After years of stalling, and appeals, and motions by his lawyers, Efrain Rios Montt is in trial. I’m still not certain that we’ll be happy with the outcome (the prosecution itself has admitted it has no direct evidence linking Rios Montt, but is relying on hundreds of witnesses testimony to establish a chain of command to link Rios Montt to the murders of almost 2,000 indigenous Mayans during the country’s civil war).

The reason I haven’t posted anything yet is because I couldn’t really offer any more insight than what news channels already have. But today I came across a blog that I thought was worth translating and sharing.

Before that, though, I do want to say that I’m extremely happy this is happening, and incredibly proud of the current Attorney General of Guatemala. She’s kind of my new personal hero.

Without further ado…

“The Hour”

The trial is a murmur on my computer. I don’t understand much of the legalese, but I understand that they are doing what they can to avoid the genocide charges against him. The voice of the judge is strong, a brave woman behind the name of a flower. I think about the importance of those small gestures, the preponderance of the every day, what you almost don’t see. I think about the ixil women who are following the trial, who sit all the way in the back, silently and fully absorbed. It’s not hard to imagine where their thoughts fly to, maybe they go back to a time before the war, before the violence tore their lives apart, before the house burning, before the persecution, before the violation, before the death, before the fear, before the general, who is now deaf, old, and ruined, gave the order to exterminate the Ixil village. I see the pictures of the audience, and in the front row is the daughter of the genocidal man and the son of the government minister of the time, impeccable, serious, worried. Rigoberta Menchu is also there, with all her dignity on her back, dignity that hurts the cowards that hide so they don’t have to face the past. I don’t see two sides, I don’t see the good guys and the bad guys. I see the weight of history falling on us. I understand that the crimes against humanity are not forgiven. I see a unique opportunity for guatemalans to construct peace, illuminated by justice. I don’t know if justice is that intelligible murmur that comes out of my computer. But I know that hearing this stories from the victims can sensitize us more than a thousand ProGuate campaigns.

Discussions on Development: How did I end up working in Haiti?

14 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by Alex in development, discussion, Discussions on Development, Haiti

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

development, guest blogger, Haiti


Guest post by Diego Alfonso Martin Clemente.

I heard about Haiti after the earthquake happened, I started doing some research and what I found was an enigmatic and attractive country. After the Spanish gave over the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) to French imperialism, the country became the first producer of sugar cane and one of the richest colonies.

After their independence from the French colony in 1804, Haiti was the first Latin-American country having the capacity of auto-governance and was an example of freedom and dignity for other colonies.

Haiti had an important performance on the international level, participating on the signature of the treaty of Versailles and becoming one of the exotic destinies for vacations.

According to the United Nations, Haiti is the poorest country in Latin-America and the second poorest in the world. After I learned more about Haiti and its link with the Latin-American countries and France (because I was doing my masters degree’s studies in France and I’m Mexican), as well as the situation in which the Haitians were living, I wanted to move to Haiti and help them out. I searched for an NGO who works with Small and Medium Businesses and I found All Hands Volunteers. A friend of mine put me in contact with them and 15 days after I was landing in Port au Prince.

« No body can do everything but everyone can do something »

All hands volunteers its an organization that was born after one man, Mr. David Campbell, decided to move to Thailand in 2004, after a tsunami hit the country. His motivation was to make an effort to reduce the disastrous effects of the natural catastrophe. There, he found people who shared the same interest and they created Hands On Disaster Response organization (All Hands Volunteers at that time). This organization worked in different countries helping clearing devastated zones.

All Hands Volunteers arrived in Haiti, just a few months after the earthquake (January 10th of 2010) and after one year of hard working they cleared the ruble in more than 209 houses allowing families to move back and leave provisional camps and shelters.

After one year of the catastrophe, the UN deployed a survey to analyze the social, economical and political situation in Haiti.   The majority of the population still had difficulties in maintaining a sustainable livelihood. Employment opportunities were usually with wages below those necessary to live, in precarious conditions and with little to no permanence. Independent income-generating activities were usually carried out as survival strategies, with minor access to services, credit and other kinds of support. In this order of events AHV decided to implement a livelihoods program, aiming it at Small and Medium Businesses located in Léogâne.

The program is an endeavor, which began in April 2011. The program sought to increase decent employment among the population in Léogâne by helping the local Small and Medium Enterprises (SME); By giving training and the necessary knowledge to increase and improve incomes and profits of the business. The program provided intensive business training and mentoring to 8 participants throughout a period of approximately three months.

Consulting sessions with local and international mentors help participants to understand the course material, further put in practice the knowledge and implement the systems and tools they have learned. The frequency of mentoring sessions increase as the participants move through the program, allowing them and mentors to set individual objectives for their progress.

As the first intern of the livelihoods program, my tasks were unclear, however as long as the program moved toward the general objective of “creating decent employment” my objectives were getting shape and the daily activities during either the training or the consulting became simple and smooth. My mains tasks as an intern included providing hands-on guidance to the owners and managers, so that they could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their enterprises. Working side by side the local mentor we gave advice and guidance to the participants on best business practices, as well as addressing and solving day to day business challenges. I met this incredible mentors guys, Djemson Jeudi ( Mr. Positive) and Jean Frusnert, both were highly qualified for international standards. They though me so much about humanitarian programs and much more about the Haitian culture.

Because of the hard work of all of us (Livelihoods team, internationals and locals), the program was able to accomplish its objectives. Some times the living conditions and the way of thinking of some Haitians participants the progress of the program was block and we had to deal with frustration. But not even sleeping in tents, taking baths in communal showers, eating the same food over and over, getting stomachaches often, listening the roosters, cows and goats making sounds early in the morning, stop us from helping the participants to improve their businesses; on the other hand, the commitment and gratitude of some participants, the contact with the nature, realizing that as a human being surrounded by  “poverty” makes understand the fact that we don’t need as many things as we thought, gave us the courage to continue the program,  and in my case to stay for 8 more months after my internship finished.

All along the course of the program I could develop and gain old and new skills, I learned how to manage and address different people from different cultures (as I worked with, Americans, Haitians, Brazilians, French’s and Mexicans). I learned to write down all sorts of paperwork needed for the development of the Business Improvement program.

I “learned” Haitian Creole and I improved my proficiency of both written and spoken French and English in technical and interpersonal settings.

Collaborating as an intern with All Hands Volunteers opened me the entrance to the world of NGO’s in the economic development field.

As a result if we put together, my contribution to the program (labour, time, knowledge etc.) and what my participation in the program gave in return, it would be unbalanced because what I gained was way more (once in the life time experience).

At the end of the pilot program, could we truly say we help the economic recovery in Léogâne, Haiti?

As I mentioned in the prior paragraphs we worked with eight businesses and only four  of them really used the knowledge and put into practice the given advice. When the program began, we didn’t have a starting point. The businesses didn’t have a normal control of incomes and outcomes, nor even mention a control of stock or purchase previsions. By the end of the program four of them had a regular control of cash flow and control of stock. The other four, had problems using the general business tools and/ or keeping up with the control which made it really difficult some times to accomplish the set goals.

As a conclusion I could affirm, mwen renmen anpil Haiti (I love Haiti so much).

 

Discussions on Development & Music Corner: Mexico by Mexican Institute of Sound

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by Alex in development, discussion, Discussions on Development, entertainment, Mexico, music, music corner, video

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

cartels, drugs, narcotrafico

I heard this song on NPR’s Alt Latino, and thought it was a great sound for both Finca’s Music Corner and Discussions on Development.  The lyrics focus on the violence of drug cartels in Mexico, with a powerful lyric claiming that the government of Mexico is making money off of the drug cartels.  I thought these lyrics were worth with typing out and translating.  Enjoy.

Cuanto tiempo va pasar                                  How much time will pass

Para que pueda mejorar                                  So that things will get better

Todos somos víctimas                                      We are all victims

De un estado conquistado                                Of a conquered state

Por un gobierno involucrado                             By a government involved

en las ganancias de el narco                             In the profits of narcotraffic

Es una nación podrida                                      It’s a rotten nation

Con la poblacion herida                                    With the population hurt

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Es Mexico                                                                  It’s Mexico

Mexico

Ra, Ra, Ra

Interlude

Son los zetas o es el chapo                        It’s Los Zetas or it’s El Chapo

Tus hijos ya con sicarios                           Your kids are already hired hit men

Muerdete la lengua                                  Bite your tongue

Que hay treinta muertos en Vera Cruz      Because there’s thirty dead in Veracruz

Es todo un placer y orgullo                        It’s a pleasure and an honor

Saber que el turno es tuyo                        Knowing that your turn is next

Que quizás mañana                                  That maybe tomorrow

Ya no llegues vivo a tu casa                      You won’t make it home alive

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Es mexico                                                                     It’s Mexico

Mexico

Ra, ra, ra

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

Es mexico                                                                     It’s Mexico

Es mexico                                                                     It’s Mexico

Mexico

Ra, ra, ra

Verde de mota                                                   Green for weed

Blanco de coca                                                    White for coke

Y rojo tu sangre                And red your blood (colors of the Mexican flag)

Estado fallido campeón                                      Failed state champion

Orgullosos patios traseros                                 Proud backyards

Al sonoro rugir del canon                        At the resounding roar of the cannon

Y se siembre con tus manos la hierba     And be planted with your hands the herbs

Al sonoro rugir del canon                       At the resounding roar of the cannon

Y se siembre con tus manos la hierba     And be planted with your hands the herbs

Al sonoro rugir del canon                     At the resounding roar of the cannon

Mexico

Mexico

Mexico

mexico

o

Es mexico

Mexico

The new album is out today.  I should give a huge thanks to wikipedia which is chock full of helpful information on a plethora of lyrics from this song.

Conga No Va

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by Alex in conservation, corruption, development, discussion, Discussions on Development, environment, research, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

mining, Peru, water

A friend of mine from Peru recently posted a 14 minute news video on his Facebook profile.  I didn’t know how long it was when I clicked on it, but actually ended up watching the full news clip and becoming increasingly interested on what was being reported.

Basically, the government has approved a mining project, and the people that live in the area surrounding the proposed project are opposed to it because said mining project will pollute their water.

The debates have gotten so heated that people have been killed during protests by government crackdowns, and there has been a suspension of civil liberties in an effort by the government to curtail such protests. (Sources here, here and here.)

A couple things I found to be very interesting just from skimming the news: 1) in the original video I posted at the beginning, there is footage of the current president of Peru during his electoral campaign, making promises that the villagers water would be protected if he was elected (after he was elected, he approved the mining project), and 2) this quote: “Eurasia Group said Monday in a report that ‘The Ollanta Humala administration remains strongly committed to advancing Minas Conga at all costs. It is not only the country’s largest [foreign direct investment] project, but the government views this as a test case that could shape other social conflicts affecting mining investment.” (Emphasis added). Huh.

Although there have been talks between the villagers and the government, with the aid of a couple Catholic priests, it doesn’t seem like these have helped reach an agreement, since both sides seem pretty set.

Most recently, president Ollanta had to shuffle around his cabinet in an effort to appease those who believed his former cabinet chief had a “confrontational attitude” that led to clashes with protestors.

On the government’s end, mining is a very important sector for the country.  Peru “is one of the world’s largest producers of gold, copper, zinc, silver, and other minerals. The sector has driven Peru’s economic growth during the last decade. Mining companies have lined up investment projects in Peru worth about $53 billion, which the government is counting on to boost mineral production, increase tax revenue and provide thousands of jobs. However, Morgan Stanley has noted that about 40% of these projects are in areas with a high risk of social conflicts. It said Minas Congas ‘continues to be perceived as a test case that could make or break the mining-investment outlook in Peru,’ adding that ‘lingering uncertainty’ remains.” 

I can see how a government which substantially relies on this income wants to protect the foreign investment that is coming in, by making sure that foreign investors feel comfortable and safe, and will want to keep pumping in money to the country. Not to mention that jobs that will be created.

On the other hand…

“The aspect of the Conga Project generating most controversy and opposition is its impact on the water resources in the area. In fact, the project will severely alter the surface drainage system and impact water bodies within the area, particularly in terms of ravines, river basins and lakes.”

This is extremely important when “78% of the population of Cajamarca is dependent on livestock and agriculture. The region of Cajamarca is the third producer of milk in Peru, an important producer of meat and the first for lentils and peas.”

An interesting argument articulated by opposition groups is a theory of “criminalization of protest,” wherein opposition groups are limited in their protests by making their protest a crime (I guess you can deduce as much, but hey, I didn’t go to law school for 3 years let things be self-explanatory). You can read more about that here.

The most articulate article I’ve found laying out the reasons why this project isn’t a good idea are laid out here.  I would summarize, but really, the whole thing is worth reading. It’s in Spanish, but if there’s an interest in it I’m happy to translate. Another good Spanish source is here. There are also plenty of youtube videos about it.

I’ll close with the comment I left on my friend’s link: “It’s incredible to me that in our day and age, money and power are still more powerful than what is just and right.”

I guess it’s not as incredible as it is disappointing.

“Granito”

13 Friday Jul 2012

Posted by Alex in Discussions on Development, Guatemala

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Efrain Rios Mont, Genocide, Guatemala

My dear friend Annie sent me a link today for a documentary about Guatemala.  The documentary goes through a documentary that was filmed in 1982, and that became crucial evidence in prosecuting those guilty of the genocide that was committed in Guatemala during their civil war.

It’s lengthy, but if you’re interested in the subject, or just want to gain an understanding of the atrocities that occurred in Guatemala, this is a good background.  I haven’t watched the original documentary upon which this film is based on, “When the mountains tremble,” but it’s on my Netflix queue and I plan on making Jeff sit through it with me soon.

Here’s the trailer:

And you can find the full length documentary here.

I admire the courage and strength that all of these individuals had to keep fighting for justice.

Discussions on Development: Guatemala Land Grab

30 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by Alex in discussion, Discussions on Development, Guatemala

≈ Leave a comment

So this was in the news early this week, and this is a response I just came across that I really enjoyed:

Rural Battle
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
“What must it feel like getting to the capital city for the first time? What do the queqchis [indigenous tribe of Guatemala] think of our shadowless streets, of our grey colored progress, of the smell of shit of our city? I can’t imagine the strength and conviction that is needed to walk during 8 days, 200 kilometers under the sun and/or rain with the naive hope of being heard and taken seriously. Those of us from the capital are so far away from the rural villagers that it’s difficult for us to realize that they are the other side of this coin called Guatemala. One day we will understand that what happens to our brothers has a direct repercussion over our own lives. One day we will understand that we are all part of one whole. If they are not doing well, neither are we. I take my hat off at their conviction and the communal sentiment of the indigenous Guatemalans. I appreciate that I was born in this country where resistance and rebellion are still a reality. I, like the rural villagers who arrived in the capital yesterday, don’t want a mine or cement factory around the corner from my home, I don’t want them to contaminate the water from the rivers, or to blast the mountains, or to cut down the forests to plant one single product. I also do not agree with the mega projects that DON’T bring development to the communities and that only line the pockets of the same. I also dream of having my own piece of land where I can build a house and grow my food. I also dream of a country with social justice and in which human life is worth more than private property. And you guys?”
Photo caption: “My mother taught me to fight.”
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