DONE! MUCH NEEDED CHANGES TO ATZIN INFRASTRUCTURE
As readers will appreciate, good programs can only run with certain supports in place, like the right personnel but also, the right physical structures. For those with an eye to construction and installations, here is run-down on Atzin's rehabilitation and general improvements on our facilities carried out over the past three months.
Rehabilitation of the Atzin Centre in Tlamacazapa
The rehab started with a massive de-cluttering of accumulated program-related materials (what a difference!), removal of old paint on concrete floors (a tedious scraping effort undertaken by many) followed by the painting of walls and floors by the promoters and team. Followed by,
Still pending: annual cleaning of rainwater catchment cistern and dry toilet vaults; funding search for replacement of the old and well-used but deteriorating kitchen counter with cupboards (yes, still the same one for those recall pouring water down the sink, overflowing the bucket underneath it); and the painting of kitchen floor. Someone stole (siphoned) all of our cistern water in mid-December – a more than annoying blow; everyone went into ultra-conservation mode, relying on rainwater stored in three additional large tanks to get us through the dry season – a “pipa” of water will be purchased right after Easter, trucked in from Taxco.
Atzin House/ Office in Cuernavaca
As always, a fierce thank you to the volunteers, donors and all those who send good thoughts our way as we carry on with the little-by-little construction of a better future.
Sincerely, Susan
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To capture the work completed by the Atzin team over the last months is actually a task in itself – the days and weeks run together, creating a moving mosaic of activity and emotions. At the same time, re-gaining momentum in our programming has consumed much time and energy – considerably more than anticipated, and comparable to overcoming a sort of inertia, resulting from an all-consuming covid campaign.
Activities that functioned easily in 2019 now require a considerable input of attention to start up again. In part because of turnover of promoters with new people who all need training, but more so, the need to refresh everyone’s memory about the details that actually make a program run. Each major activity needs to be thought through (the specifics matter), sequenced (the order matters) and then, paced (so does the speed of implementation).
Diving into a new year with optimism and a fighting spirit, here are recent highlights,
Thank you as always for your encouragement and financial support. As a group, we are doing our best against tough odds, re-gaining momentum in all programs
Sincerely, Susan
PS. Produced during the covid19 pandemic on a shoestring budget, Returning to Strength captures our approach to community development and social change - well worth watching for our supporters. Click here to view https://vimeo.com/503278349
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One thing that we at Atzin have learned over time: the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” story rarely happens. Emerging from the quagmire of poverty, violence and marginalization requires more than personal determination.
For children living out the day-to-day hardships of difficult circumstances, hard work alone will not overcome the many obstacles to achievement of an education and decent living.
We recognize that the building of self-reliance often means sustained effort by an individual combined with a reliance on others at critical points in time. This is a world of mutual interconnections, and our focus is the creation of opportunity – opportunities that will allow the unleashing of potential and the possibility of change.
The smallest act in the most limited circumstances bears the seed of boundlessness, because one deed, and sometimes one word, suffices to change every constellation (Hannah Arendt)
Since our last report in early August, the Atzin team has worked hard on these opportunities,
When people of whatever age are supported at the right time and in the right way, enabling them to determine a new course for themselves, we have done our job.
With your generous support, we carry on with the unleashing of people's creative potential.
Abrazos desde Mexico, Susan
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Dear Friends of Tlamacazapa and Atzin,
First, a tidbit of good news: our recent video, Returning to Strength - the Long Road from Conquest to Discovery Lessons about Development from Tlamacazapa, Mexico, was selected for 4 international film festivals: Cannes International Cinema Festival (Can you believe that? Amazing!); Toronto International Film Festival; and, Berlin International Art Film Festival.
And, to our great pleasure, Returning to Strength was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Toronto International Women Film Festival.
Produced during the covid19 pandemic on a shoestring budget, and allowing us to creatively tell our story (and in the process, serving to release pent-up emotions), Returning to Strength captures our approach to community development and social change - admitedly an uphill labour, one that is, in fact, faced by everyone, everywhere. Click here to view Returning to Strength Tlamacazapa Mexico
Over the past months, families have strained to deal with deeper debt due to continuing covid illness as well as decreased streets sales of baskets and plastic trinkets, resulting in lower income. Our special needs program is working overtime with more individuals registered.
In mid-June 2021, the village reeled with acute grief as five young men were assassinated by “narcos,” drug dealers without conscience sending a brutal message of intimidation to innocent people in a battle for control of territory. We work to actively support the widows and eight small children left fatherless - this is new ground for the Atzin team, requiring plenty of footwork, visits and phone calls, and more security measures.
In times of covid, in moments of despair and fearfulness, we each can be a beacon of hope, extending ourselves to others in courageous kindness. We stand up and step out into the arena of life, doing our best against tough odds, pressing on with the creation of better times and a return to strength.
Sincerely,
Susan
Here is that link again: https://vimeo.com/503278349
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As a team, we have continued a covid response since April 2020 and not let up. Click Returning to Strength - Lessons about Development from Tlamacazapa, Mexico on Vimeo to view our new video– sit back and watch the promoters at work.
In brief, during the past three months (January-March 2021) we have:
Thank you with appreciation for all encouragement - we press on with the creation of opportunities for better times.
Susan Smith
Director, Atzin
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