Indigenous Women's Leadership Program

Here is a testimonial from one our our women's group memebers.....

My story with Centro de Compartimiento begins many years ago when I met Adela, the general director, in the elementary school where we both worked. I knew about the workshops and learning circles they offered to find ways to heal the soul, however, there were times when I ignored the opportunities completely.

 Then years later, returning, I participated in their “Healing Generations” workshop and it was something extraordinary. Later I attended another workshop “Transforming Through Our Voice”, an experience that was very healing.

Weeks later, surprisingly, I received a voice message from Adela saying that the workshop leaders were following up with individual therapy, she asked me if I was interested. I did not hesitate to accept it since I had previously thought of seeking psychological help because I constantly had depressive lows and anxiety attacks.

I contacted the therapist to schedule the sessions. I honestly got a little scared since I usually self-sabotage when something good happens in my life, however, I persisted. The first sessions were normal, I was a bit hesitant to reveal things, but soon could share.During the following weeks I fell into a deep depression from which I could not get out, it was so bad that I went to a doctor and they prescribed antidepressants and I continued with the sessions.

Later, the talks went deeper, my therapist taught me techniques to control my anxiety, and we continued to dig deeper into my wounds. There was no session in which my pain was not exposed and intense, but I never gave up being present at each of the sessions.The therapist told me that I could heal, although I was not totally convinced, I continued.

After several months my doctor took me off the medications and I continue to attend my therapies. Life is like seesaw, I cannot say that I am completely fine but I am not completely bad either. I have been without a single antidepressant pill in my body for a while now, I have managed to gain control in my life and these days can see reasons to be joyful, I share more with my children and I now channel my anxiety into activities such as gardening and taking care of things around the house. I can say at this point, the voice message that arrived on my cell phone months ago changed my life.

Therapy has been of great help, I never thought I could achieve what I have achieved so far.In the past I had left the therapies halfway for fear of what could happen later, but now I understand that changes are not bad, on the contrary, they are very beneficial in life.

I thank Centro de Compartimiento and my therapist for helping me through this process.

We thank all our donors who make our programs possible.  Because of your support women in our community are finding paths to healing.  

As Mexico prepares to inaugurate its first female president the world is looking at our country and wondering at the changes taking place. You have to admit that this is a historic moment taken in the larger context of Mexican society. Yet, to this date, Mexico has only had one indigenous president, which was back in Abraham Lincoln's time. In Indigenous communities, all people male and female are still struggling to find a place in the halls of leadership, and Indigenous custom systems will usually give a only to males who are heads of families.  Many communities still do not give women places where they can participate in the decision making process.

One of our goals here at Centro de Compartimiento (CDC) is to help people find their voice.  We have always taken that to mean the support them to learn to tell their stories and speak out for themselves.  This summer some friends from Oaxaca City proposed a workshop to work on voice.

We were surprised that this was not just about a voice as in the will to speak out, but the power of the physical voice to heal and raise up others. Using storytelling, song, chant, and physical movement the group learned about the power of thier voices to heal, support, and speak out.

The women found one exercise very powerful, with the group singing one note together they gave an environment for a participant to truely shout out to the world with no fear, and no shame because no one could hear their words. Afterward, a quiet environment was created for everyone who wanted to process the experience and share what they wanted.  Many women commented that they never had the freedom or safe place to really say what they wanted. 

It is through donors like you that we can bring these workshops to our community. We are greatful for all your support and hope that you can continue to help us provide these unique experiences to our community.