When the urgency to fulfill post-earthquake needs faded into normalcy, the attendance at periodical community meetings dropped. That´s when Miriam, our best neighbor and ally, suggested we buy a Bingo set and invite the entire town to play. This was a turning point in our community organization skills.
We have encountered delays with the construction of the Intercultural Center, so our Library and seamstress workshop are still housed in a precarious bamboo shelter that is always busy and full of activity. After a hectic week of Library programs, overseeing teacher training, running around with the construction team, coordinating with volunteers from around the world, organizing our gender equality program, and supervising our vegetable gardens project, every Friday afternoon we take the chairs and tables out and hold a Bingo assembly. This is our opportunity to talk about what is going on and ask our neighbors what they would like to happen once the Intercultural Center is finished and functioning. These are the hopes and dreams we heard last Friday:
Isis (16) wants a jewelry workshop, while Panchita (65), short, chubby and grandmother to 12, appeals for dancing lessons and a big mirror were she can watch herself dance: “I´ve been told I´m a good dancer, but I´ve never seen myself dance” she remarks with her sparkling naughty eyes, making us all laugh. Fernando (48) hopes we can start a gym and Nayeli (18) agrees with him. The children want toys for Christmas and ask when Christmas is after all? Vanessa (15) asks if we could bring in a nutritionist to talk about diets and health; Irene (48) would like a self-defense class. The afternoon goes on between plans and prizes, and when it gets too dark to see the numbers, movie night starts, this time El Zorro.
We meticulously note each hope and dream, and with your continued help, we are certain we can make all this happen.
In the last three months since our last report we have either purchased or received as donations: 5 laptops, 5 tablets, 1 printer, 1 movie player, 1 sound system, a guitar, a ping pong table, and of course the books keep coming. Construction has turned out to be a challenge because our constructors are full of excuses for their delays; we are keeping our calm and sternly coaxing them to move on. We hope our next report will include images of our inauguration party.
So, since last we spoke, we have learned this: contractors are a test of your patience. Our efforts in Don Juan, with your support, are already making a difference in this tiny fishing village and the future will bring creative alternatives that will broaden the horizons of all.
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“I never knew I was good at this” says Juanita (42 years old) while she threads one of the industrial sewing machines at the seamstress workshop in Don Juan. “In a funny way, the earthquake made me discover things”, she continues. “When my house was torn down I didn´t feel like watching telenovelas all afternoon among the mess, debris and disaster in which I´ve been living in the improvised shelter we were able to put together after the earthquake. When someone told me about this place, I didn´t know what I would find, but when I stepped in, you greeted me with a big smile and showed around all these sewing machines. I had never used one before, but I love it now!”
Juanita is one of 300 women who live in Don Juan and one of many that spend the afternoon in the seamstress workshop mending old clothes or learning how to cut and sew along with her neighbors. After the 7.8 earthquake that destroyed our village last year, this place has turned into a safe haven for women and children. When the rainy season destroyed the roof that protected our small library we had to hurriedly make space in the workshop and move all the books in.
In spite of the precarious setting, this is a happy and busy place during the afternoons. Our view is that women who share time and projects together will soon start to move towards productive initiatives and our NGO will be there to accompany them all the way. We don´t want to come up with a sewing contract or push them into a productive project; we think that given the space and time to develop their creativity and camaraderie, this will lead towards entrepreneurial ventures, if this is what they want. Nonetheless, this is the perfect place to delicately discuss gender issues, child security and many other subjects that create risks for those most vulnerable of Don Juan´s population.
Thanks to your generous support, we have secured a 300 square meter plot of land; a beautiful architectural design; 11 industrial sewing machines in the seamstress workshop; 1,500 books in the library and $39,567 to construct the Intercultural Center. This building will house the seamstress workshop, training space, volunteer suite and the library. We are deeply appreciative of your continued involvement with our projects. We still need equipment and funding to run our educational programs so please share your praise worthy commitment to Don Juan with friends and family so we may continue to grow and help local families to make their dreams for a better life come true. We hope our donors will come and visit the results of our shared endeavor. If you would like to teach English as a Second Language (ESL), math, arts, sports or crafts, the volunteer suite will soon be ready for your visit. ¡Gracias mil!
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