Hello all,
I am just going to give a brief update as to what I have been up to the last few days. On Friday (Feb 11) we were back at the park picking up garbage again, this time it wasn't raining and we were hiking along the river. Saturday (Feb 12) was a very interesting day. We went to a Natate project near the town of Teopisca which is attempting to become completely self sustainable. The building was built mostly out of adobe (mud) right from the property. They also have a green house, chicken coop, stream for water and a dry toilet which makes the project very eco-friendly. There were three projects for the day: working on the chicken coop, working on a garden or making adobe bricks. I chose adobe and I feel that I made the right decision. The work was very hard and it took about 9 of us two hours to make 20 adobe bricks. After the work was done, the Natate people cooked us a very nice lunch on site.
Sunday (Feb 13) was a free day where I spent most of my time relaxing and not doing much. I should mention, however, that Sunday was the first time I ate something other than Mexican food because we went out for a pizza dinner.
Today we were back with our Natate projects, however, instead of working at the park, I showed up and they decided to take me to a botanican garden in Tuxla Gutierrez while everyone else had to stay behind and rake leaves. At the botanical garden our task was to clear debris and brush which was hard work but still fun. Before working, however, I got to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony for a local palentological museum. The best part of the day though was the drive to Tuxla and the drive home where I was in the back of a pick-up truck looking at the beautiful scenery.
Anyways, I look forward to updating everyone again soon, but for now I am off.
Scott
P.S. Happy Valentine's Day to my love Caroline!
P.P.S. Happy Birthday Chris Dionne!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Long Time no Talk
Hello all,
Sorry about the lack of updates, the last few days have been very busy. Over the last couple of days we have met with many organizations and started our work with Natate (an organization based out of San Cristobal). On Tuesday (Feb 8) we went to a presentation by a human rights organization called Frayba that operates out of San Cristobal. This organization is really busy so we didn't have a presentation specifically for our group, we had to sit in on one where they were training international observers. It was really informative but we couldn't get involved much since the presentation was not intended for us.
In the afternoon we met with Natate and got a presentation from them about their organization and about what we will be doing while we are volunteering with them for the next few days. We also got to meet a bunch of their volunteers and a couple of the people that we will be working with on our projects. It turns out that there are three projects they are currently working on: renovating the Mayan Medicine Museum, planting a botanical garden and working at an educational park. I am working at the educational park.
The next morning we went to our respective job sites to meet the locals working with us and to get an idea of what we will be doing. The park is a conservation area that covers 16 hectares. There is a zoo, walking trails and a bike path. Overall, it is a very nice place. After seeing where we will all be working we met up with the larger group and had a meeting with staff from the Canadian Embassy who were in town for other reasons. It was a good chance to network and meet people who work at the embassy.
This morning (Feb 10) we started our work at the park. Our job for the day was picking up garbage along the bike path. I should also mention that the terrain of the park is mountainous and that it was raining this morning. However, in spite of the rain and hills, it was a good time and we all got a really good workout hiking through beautiful paths in the mountains. It felt good to put in some labour and get out of the classroom. Anyways, I will update you guys again soon.
Scott
Sorry about the lack of updates, the last few days have been very busy. Over the last couple of days we have met with many organizations and started our work with Natate (an organization based out of San Cristobal). On Tuesday (Feb 8) we went to a presentation by a human rights organization called Frayba that operates out of San Cristobal. This organization is really busy so we didn't have a presentation specifically for our group, we had to sit in on one where they were training international observers. It was really informative but we couldn't get involved much since the presentation was not intended for us.
In the afternoon we met with Natate and got a presentation from them about their organization and about what we will be doing while we are volunteering with them for the next few days. We also got to meet a bunch of their volunteers and a couple of the people that we will be working with on our projects. It turns out that there are three projects they are currently working on: renovating the Mayan Medicine Museum, planting a botanical garden and working at an educational park. I am working at the educational park.
The next morning we went to our respective job sites to meet the locals working with us and to get an idea of what we will be doing. The park is a conservation area that covers 16 hectares. There is a zoo, walking trails and a bike path. Overall, it is a very nice place. After seeing where we will all be working we met up with the larger group and had a meeting with staff from the Canadian Embassy who were in town for other reasons. It was a good chance to network and meet people who work at the embassy.
This morning (Feb 10) we started our work at the park. Our job for the day was picking up garbage along the bike path. I should also mention that the terrain of the park is mountainous and that it was raining this morning. However, in spite of the rain and hills, it was a good time and we all got a really good workout hiking through beautiful paths in the mountains. It felt good to put in some labour and get out of the classroom. Anyways, I will update you guys again soon.
Scott
Monday, February 7, 2011
Update
Hello all,
I don't have much to update you guys on because yesterday was a free day and today is a Mexican holiday so we have yet another free day! Saturday our class went to the Na Bolom museum in San Cristobal which is dedicated to the Lancandon jungle and the indigenous people living there. It is a very interesting place and I wish I had paid more attention to the tour, yet my attention span was short at the time. It was beneficial though to learn more about the jungle and its people because we will be spending a week there at the end of our time in Mexico.
Yesterday, as mentioned, was a free day, however, our group took a trip to a park just outside the city which has really scenic caves. The park we went to is a place where the locals spend Sundays with their families, and we basically just relaxead for half of the day there. After we got back, the fun started and we found a place to watch the Superbowl (in Spanish). I feel that I should mention how terrible the Black Eyed Peas were at half time. Anyways I don't feel like writing more so I will talk to you later.
Scott
I don't have much to update you guys on because yesterday was a free day and today is a Mexican holiday so we have yet another free day! Saturday our class went to the Na Bolom museum in San Cristobal which is dedicated to the Lancandon jungle and the indigenous people living there. It is a very interesting place and I wish I had paid more attention to the tour, yet my attention span was short at the time. It was beneficial though to learn more about the jungle and its people because we will be spending a week there at the end of our time in Mexico.
Yesterday, as mentioned, was a free day, however, our group took a trip to a park just outside the city which has really scenic caves. The park we went to is a place where the locals spend Sundays with their families, and we basically just relaxead for half of the day there. After we got back, the fun started and we found a place to watch the Superbowl (in Spanish). I feel that I should mention how terrible the Black Eyed Peas were at half time. Anyways I don't feel like writing more so I will talk to you later.
Scott
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sergio Castro
Hello all,
How goes it? I am going to give a brief update on the last two days since I am at a cafe and I don't really feel like writing too much.Yesterday (Feb 3) was fairly irrelevant since we spent almost all day "debriefing" our experiences.Today (Feb 4), however, was quite interesting. As I mentioned previously, two girls in my class and I had the great opportunity of shadowing a man named Sergio Castro. Just to refresh your memory, Sergio is a trained veteranarian who gives medical attention to people who do not have access to doctors. Most of the people he treats have burns or diabetic ulcers. Sergio also helps build schools for communities that do not have access to education.
Today started with us going to see one of his school projects in a community approximately 10km outside of San Cristobal. The project was interesting and seemed to be similar in nature to projects that I have seen done by the Arthur Frederick Community Builders. After looking at the project, we drove back into San Cristobal to do rounds with Sergio and see how he cares for his patients. The first man we saw had bad burns from when he had a seizure and fell into a fire. It was really impressive to see the care that Sergio gave this man and the rest of his patients.After the burn victim, we saw him treat about four or five elderly people with diabetic ulcers on their legs. Sergio told us that among the people living in San Cristobal, he sees more ulcers than anything else. The people he treats outside of San Cristobal, however, are mostly indigenous people that have fallen into fires and are severely burned. I recommend youtubing "Sergio Castro Chiapas" if you want to learn more. After we got back to Sergio's museum, we found out that he does rounds every morning and every afternoon he treats people at his museum. However, after spending a day with Sergio and seeing all that he does for the people of Chiapas, I couldn't help but wonder: what will happen when he's gone?
Scott
How goes it? I am going to give a brief update on the last two days since I am at a cafe and I don't really feel like writing too much.Yesterday (Feb 3) was fairly irrelevant since we spent almost all day "debriefing" our experiences.Today (Feb 4), however, was quite interesting. As I mentioned previously, two girls in my class and I had the great opportunity of shadowing a man named Sergio Castro. Just to refresh your memory, Sergio is a trained veteranarian who gives medical attention to people who do not have access to doctors. Most of the people he treats have burns or diabetic ulcers. Sergio also helps build schools for communities that do not have access to education.
Today started with us going to see one of his school projects in a community approximately 10km outside of San Cristobal. The project was interesting and seemed to be similar in nature to projects that I have seen done by the Arthur Frederick Community Builders. After looking at the project, we drove back into San Cristobal to do rounds with Sergio and see how he cares for his patients. The first man we saw had bad burns from when he had a seizure and fell into a fire. It was really impressive to see the care that Sergio gave this man and the rest of his patients.After the burn victim, we saw him treat about four or five elderly people with diabetic ulcers on their legs. Sergio told us that among the people living in San Cristobal, he sees more ulcers than anything else. The people he treats outside of San Cristobal, however, are mostly indigenous people that have fallen into fires and are severely burned. I recommend youtubing "Sergio Castro Chiapas" if you want to learn more. After we got back to Sergio's museum, we found out that he does rounds every morning and every afternoon he treats people at his museum. However, after spending a day with Sergio and seeing all that he does for the people of Chiapas, I couldn't help but wonder: what will happen when he's gone?
Scott
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Free Day
Hello all,
Today is my first free day since arriving in Mexico so I finally have time to catch up on sleeep, laundry and blogging. Yesterday was a very busy day and our class did a lot of interesting stuff. When we went to the school to meet up with everyone, there was a massive military and police presence at the artesans market. It turns out, the military and police were setting up a secure area around the market because the president, Felipe Calderon, was on his was to San Cristobal to deliver a speach to the people. I believe the speech was related to the death of Bishop Samuel Ruiz, but I am not certain.
In the morning we went to a youth shelter called Casa de las Flores (house of the flowers) which is in downtown San Cristobal. This organization has been around for two years so it's still in the growing and building phase. Casa de las Flores is a safe place for the young people who are working on the street to go and have a shower, use the bathroom, read, play or sleep. At first there was a lot of violence in the shelter, but the woman who started the organization, Claudia, has taught the children ways of resolving issues without turning to violence. Most of the children who use the building have never been to school so Claudia is teaching them how to read, write and interact with other kids. As a result, they affectionately refer to her as maestra (teacher). The shelter has also recently adopted two cats which, so far, have been a good way of teaching the kids how to look after another living being. Right now, they have a courtyard with nothing in it, but there are plans for building a garden at some point. The majority of kids who use the shelter are shoe shine boys because they are the lowest on the social totem pole. At first there were a few girls that went to Casa de las Flores, however, not many go anymore since the shoe shine boys have "taken over". Overall, it seems like a very good organizartion that has a lot of potential to make a difference to the street kids of San Cristobal.
In the afternoon, Nancy and I started private Spanish lessons at the language school. The lesson yesterday was really good and I look forward to my next classes on Thursday and Friday. Hopefully I will be able to carry on a decent conversation in Spanish by the end of my trip.
After the Spanish lessons, we met back up with the group and realized that El Presidente, Felipe Calderon, was at the artesans market which is about 200 metres from the school. The class split up into two groups, went through checkpoints and security and managed to get within about 15 feet of him! It was a really neat experience and I, unfortunately, did not get my camera out in time to get a decent picture. Luckily, others in the class got some good ones so I am hoping to get copies from them.
In the evening we had the opportunity to meet up with a man named Sergio Castro. If you get the chance, you can youtube him (search for Sergio Castro Chiapas). Sergio is a trained veteranarian, but he has spent most of his life treating injuries and providing health care to indigenous people throughout the area that do not have access to doctors or health clinics. He travels to remote villages where he specializes in burn treatment since many indigenous people cook with open fires and often fall into them for various reasons (one big one being a parasite that causes seizures). We met Sergio at his museum in San Cristobal which he uses as a way to fund his medical supplies (he gets no funding from any level of government).The museum has the indigenous dress of almost all of the tribes in Chiapas as well as many different artifacts which have been donated to him by people who he has helped. I should also mention the Sergio speaks seven languages, including English. I just learned, about 30 minutes ago, that I will have the amazing opportunity to shadow Sergio on Friday with two other classmates and I am really looking forward to it.
Sorry that this has been such a long update, but I have been very busy and I had a lot to tell everyone. I hope you are enjoying the snow (ha ha)!
Scott
Today is my first free day since arriving in Mexico so I finally have time to catch up on sleeep, laundry and blogging. Yesterday was a very busy day and our class did a lot of interesting stuff. When we went to the school to meet up with everyone, there was a massive military and police presence at the artesans market. It turns out, the military and police were setting up a secure area around the market because the president, Felipe Calderon, was on his was to San Cristobal to deliver a speach to the people. I believe the speech was related to the death of Bishop Samuel Ruiz, but I am not certain.
In the morning we went to a youth shelter called Casa de las Flores (house of the flowers) which is in downtown San Cristobal. This organization has been around for two years so it's still in the growing and building phase. Casa de las Flores is a safe place for the young people who are working on the street to go and have a shower, use the bathroom, read, play or sleep. At first there was a lot of violence in the shelter, but the woman who started the organization, Claudia, has taught the children ways of resolving issues without turning to violence. Most of the children who use the building have never been to school so Claudia is teaching them how to read, write and interact with other kids. As a result, they affectionately refer to her as maestra (teacher). The shelter has also recently adopted two cats which, so far, have been a good way of teaching the kids how to look after another living being. Right now, they have a courtyard with nothing in it, but there are plans for building a garden at some point. The majority of kids who use the shelter are shoe shine boys because they are the lowest on the social totem pole. At first there were a few girls that went to Casa de las Flores, however, not many go anymore since the shoe shine boys have "taken over". Overall, it seems like a very good organizartion that has a lot of potential to make a difference to the street kids of San Cristobal.
In the afternoon, Nancy and I started private Spanish lessons at the language school. The lesson yesterday was really good and I look forward to my next classes on Thursday and Friday. Hopefully I will be able to carry on a decent conversation in Spanish by the end of my trip.
After the Spanish lessons, we met back up with the group and realized that El Presidente, Felipe Calderon, was at the artesans market which is about 200 metres from the school. The class split up into two groups, went through checkpoints and security and managed to get within about 15 feet of him! It was a really neat experience and I, unfortunately, did not get my camera out in time to get a decent picture. Luckily, others in the class got some good ones so I am hoping to get copies from them.
In the evening we had the opportunity to meet up with a man named Sergio Castro. If you get the chance, you can youtube him (search for Sergio Castro Chiapas). Sergio is a trained veteranarian, but he has spent most of his life treating injuries and providing health care to indigenous people throughout the area that do not have access to doctors or health clinics. He travels to remote villages where he specializes in burn treatment since many indigenous people cook with open fires and often fall into them for various reasons (one big one being a parasite that causes seizures). We met Sergio at his museum in San Cristobal which he uses as a way to fund his medical supplies (he gets no funding from any level of government).The museum has the indigenous dress of almost all of the tribes in Chiapas as well as many different artifacts which have been donated to him by people who he has helped. I should also mention the Sergio speaks seven languages, including English. I just learned, about 30 minutes ago, that I will have the amazing opportunity to shadow Sergio on Friday with two other classmates and I am really looking forward to it.
Sorry that this has been such a long update, but I have been very busy and I had a lot to tell everyone. I hope you are enjoying the snow (ha ha)!
Scott
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Update
Hello All,
It has been a while since we last talked. I apologize for not giving more updates, but the family I am living with does not have internet. The last few days have been quite busy so I have a lot to tell you. Day five (Jan 29) was moving day. On moving day people seemed to be dropping like flies and many different people from our group, including Nancy, were sick. Nancy and I were picked up at the hotel by our host mother Esmeralda and her two sons Jose (2 years old) and Aaron (15 years old). The family has a 12 year old housekeeper named Melissa and I am not sure whether or not she lives here (it’s a weird dynamic between her and the family). Also, none of them speak a word of English.
The house is really interesting. When you walk in there is a courtyard with a closed kitchen on the left and three bedrooms for students in a square around the courtyard. There is a family room across from my room and stairs that lead to the second floor where the family lives. My bedroom is quite large and has two beds, yet I have it to myself. Nancy’s room is much smaller but also nice. We also have a very nice woman from Halifax living here named Kim. She is taking classes at the language school and is fluent in Spanish which helps Nancy and I communicate with the family. I should also mention that Esmeralda is an awesome cook.
The past few days have been quite busy and I still have not had a day off to sleep and do laundry. Needless to say, my clothes are pretty nasty. We have had various guest speakers but the highlight for me so far has been the last two days. Yesterday (Jan 30) half of the group went to a village called Monte Zion which is about 30 minutes away from San Cristobal. This village is part of the Chamula indigenous group and they had been expelled from their community 15 years ago for converting religions to evangelicalism. When they were expelled, they were only able to take with them what they could carry and there was some violence against the people being kicked out. As a result, the entire community lives in extreme poverty. I won’t get into much more detail now, but what we did was sat down with a family in their home and spoke with them about how they live and then got a tour of the village.
Today (Jan 31) I went with Paul of the Arthur Frederick Community Builders to see one of his projects in the village of Temtoj. This project is one where he is teaming with a man named Peter to build them a water collection system that is aimed at getting them through the dry season. Previously, Paul built them a school and a playground so he has a good relationship with the people in the village. After Temtoj I went around with Paul and Peter and saw some different project that the AFCB had done years ago. Once I got back to the city and met up with the group, we had a presentation from an organization called Save the Children which focuses on education of vulnerable kids. All in all it was a good day.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to email me but don’t be offended if I don’t answer right away because I am finding it difficult to access the internet.
Adios,
Scott
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