HARAMBEE
…the Swahili word meaning “unite” or “work together”The Electronic Newsletter for Global Citizens from Global Citizens Network
HARAMBEE offers information, news, resources and opinions for people who identify themselves as global citizens and seek to uphold values of peace, justice, cross-cultural understanding and global cooperation. Published by Global Citizens Network, December 2005.
In this issue:
- The Gift of a Lifetime: Travel with Purpose in 2006
- Trip Schedule for 2006
- In Your Words, Through Your Eyes
- Upcoming Events and Global Gatherings
- The Influential Lives of Women
- Group Travel: Join a Team, or Bring a Group of Your Own!
- Changes at GCN
- Continuing Education for Teachers
- We Thank You!
The Gift of a Lifetime: Travel with Purpose in 2006
Trip Schedule for 2006
Kilomeni , Tanzania January 15 – 29 IN PROGRESS!
Xiloxochico, Mexico March 25 – April 2
Rock Point , Arizona April 8 – 15
Owsley County , Kentucky April 29 – May 6
La Push, Washington June 17 – 25
Sansirisay , Guatemala July 7 – 18
Maili Tatu , Kenya July 7 – 28
Tarapoto, Peru July 21 – August 6
Provincia Carchi, Ecuador August 4 – 20
Kilomeni , Tanzania August 3 – 24
La Push, Washington August 5 – 13
Rock Point , Arizona September 9 – 17
Jampaling , Nepal October 12– 31
Huehuetla , Mexico September 1-8
Chicueyaco, Mexico October 28 –November 5
Chiang Rai , Thailand November 2 – 18
- Take two trips in the same region for a discounted price! Trip dates may vary slightly based on flight availability.
In Your Words: Through Your Eyes
In October 2005, a GCN team went to Thailand on an exploratory trip, and another team returned trip to Nepal after an absence of two years. Here are words and pictures from some of the participants on these trips. They help to paint a portrait of their shared experience.
Words from Thailand
Upon our arrival at MAG (our host organization) we were ushered into an amazing house. It is two stories (the upstairs is hot) with separate bathrooms for men and women. They had gone through so much trouble to prepare for our arrival. They laid out pillows and sleeping pads for all of us and left fruit and water. It was so powerful to see the outpouring of hospitality for us. I am so humbled by it all and so very thankful.
This northern hill area of Thailand is popular with trekkers and each village is interested in welcoming the visitors. Our project was to photograph and describe the herbs used for medicinal purposes, which will be formatted and put on a board by the Union for tourist/trekker information. I thoroughly enjoyed this learning from Songkran. He was taught by his grandmother 30 years ago…The weaving project will also go on this information board with photographs and descriptions of how the dyeing and weaving is done. Our map group walked the village and recorded landmarks and roads. This information was entered into the computer and will be enlarged to create a map for the board… As we began our truck/bus ride through the Karen village we stopped for a look at the village center bulletin board where the maps, weaving, and herb information had been posted for everyone to see. Everyone felt a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Next, we drove about 100 yards up the road and stopped again. This time to say our final good-byes to our main hosts: Lek’s family and Songkran’s family. Tears flowed freely as we board the truck for the bus station.
Sitting by the fire, I was again struck by the gentleness and humor of the people. I don’t think I ever imagined how exotic and yet familiar the community spirit would feel to me. We broke through the hesitancy to take photos, and while not every villager is comfortable, we were able to take pictures. The people are so open and kind, quick to laugh and tease. I often think during these trips of looking into “village eyes.” There is no guile, just an openness and wonder of them looking in a curious and open mirror.
The village committee has invited us to come to help with an open-air community center with a bathroom, small kitchen, and storage. Outside there will be a dance area with a place for a bonfire. This structure will help with the eco-tourism, which in turn will keep the youth employed as guides. It will also bring a healthy interaction with westerners while they retain their culture.
Today is Day 9 of our Thailand journey. No need for an alarm clock in the hill-tribe villages; roosters greet each day for us with a symphony of cock-a-doodle-doos. As the village awakens we see women building the cooking fires and filling their water pots at the community water source. In our base
village of Huay-khpm , you could hear the motorbikes speeding past the house. I imagine that the motorbikes have broadened the neighborhood for the people. As most people do not own cars here, walking was the means of transportation which would certainly limit how far you would travel. …We left our village at 11:30 a.m. via Thai bus. …After lunch, we traveled to our elephant village, Ban-Ruam-Mit. We shopped a bit and then climbed a ladder to a loading deck. There were two riders to an elephant plus the driver. We rode in what looked like a two-seater bench made out of wood and bamboo; it was attached securely to the elephant in three places. There was a cinch belt that went around its belly. The front was anchored with a thick chain around its neck. The back was secured with a rope/wood combination that went under its tail. I felt quite secure in my high tower seat but I needed to hold on tightly as we rocked and rolled. The elephant would stop suddenly and needed to be prodded on by the driver who used a whip and a hook. The ride was amazing as we climbed up into the mountains. We followed along along side a river and crossed it several times. The path led us through a bamboo forest filled with tropical plants and trees. Rice fields filled the landscape and we passed people harvesting corn. The drivers added to our adventure as they chatted back and forth or sang songs in Thai. I went to bed after such a stimulating day to the sound of roosters cock-a-doodling and pigs grunting. Our hosts spread sleeping mats on the bamboo floor and even had blankets and pillow for us. What a perfect day.
Words from Nepal
From our Nepalese Hosts
______________________
Dear W. James and Janet B Smith,
Tashi Delek!!!
Hope that this mail of mine will finds to you in sound health. I hope that you have enjoyed a lot in Jampaling and arrived in your place safely.
Here Jampaling settlers are appreciating a lot for you and your team performance. Specaily the leaders of four sections of farmers says special thanks to you and your team. Also Dolkar and cook Rigsang says Tashi Delek to you all.
Here we are doing good and hope that you sharing all those situation towards your relatives and friends. Please give my warm Tashi Delek and regards to all your team members.
This much for today and send to you more in next mail. Till then I am here looking forward to hear from you soon.
With best regards and wishesYours sincerely
Tashi DawaGCN Host, October 2005
Words from Mexico
We met for breakfast at Cecelia’s at 9:00 a.m. The market was already in full swing as we walked up to her house. The array of produce is eye-popping. We saw tables spread out with fresh chicken; a man carried a butchered pig on his back. The meat will be available all day in the fresh air. People are coming in from the surrounding areas. We hadn’t made any definite plans for today, but Miguel arrived as we were finishing breakfast and offered to take us to the site. So at about 10:30 a.m. we started up the mountainside. And what a climb it was! We met several Totonac people coming down while we were climbing up. The path is very steep and rocky, there are some stretches, which have smoother stones forming a more even walkway, but then it’s back to loose gravel and stones. It took a good hour to reach the meeting place. Maria came to meet us and it was decided to go to an area called Cinco de Mayo -- where they were working with the sugar cane that day. Before we started out Maria showed us the handiwork on their blouses and skirts. They will be showing us how to embroider like they do…Another 30 minute walk up and we came to the sugar cane processing area. We were truly in the jungle as we walked along a narrow trail through lush greenery. The views from every angle were breathtaking…Tomorrow we go up the mountain again. There were a few times this morning when I wasn’t sure I’d make it all the way up. But I’m glad I persevered, as it was worth it. Words cannot fully convey what one feels.
The walk up the mountain was beautiful, misty, and wet. Fog was rolling in the valleys and it wasn’t as difficult as the first day. I love the trees that line the path making a natural fence. It’s strange passing people especially children that look at you funny and giggle. It gives you a perspective on your place in the world -- and it’s not always on the top.
On our walk back to Huehuetla we passed a cabinetmaker that invited us in for a tamal. He also made coffins, which were hanging on the wall. He was very nice and funny. How gracious to invite us in for a talk.
Today we were off to Heloina’s house to make soap (medicinal soap). Her house was past Maria’s. We were told that it was near Maria’s. “Aqui no mas” was a phrase that was used to describe the distance. “Aqui no mas” means “just right here.” On this overcast, misty, drizzly morning it seemed we just walked and walked and walked. Eventually we hit a makeshift path off the main road. The path was narrow. We encountered over grown, wet brush, muddy, and slick rocks, on the trail. It was also beautiful.
Natasha was bold enough to give the “metate” a try. With stone rolling pin in hand she proceeded to grind down the corn. For whatever reason the sight of her in action made the girls roar in laughter. Natasha was a good sport joining in on the laughter and enjoying the moment. A large round “comal” was placed on the fire to cook the tortillas. The “comal” looked like a pizza pan. They gathered mounds of “masa” (ground corn dough) in their hands where it was patted back and forth between their hands until they shaped a round thin tortilla. Several of us tried to form a tortilla. We all came up with various forms and shapes. None of us ever quite reached that evenly round shape that the Totonac women so effortlessly produce. But we had a great time trying.
We trekked up our familiar path to the community center for a farewell gathering. Maria and other women from the community greeted us warmly and hung some of their embroidered pieces (including special pieces they sewed for us) on a clothesline strung above the finished vat. They then placed banana leaves in the vat and placed their homemade soap on the leaves. It made quite an attractive display. The display represented the three things we learned during our stay; the embroidery, the soap making, and the vat for the sugarcane. Maria then spoke briefly about the history of the various women’s organizations and how pleased they are to have a central meeting place. The presidente (feminine version) of each women’s group (7 total) each spoke to thank us for coming. They call their collective groups “new life.” A few of the men also spoke to thank us. I take back with me warm memories of the welcoming, kind, and enterprising Totonac women and men of Huehuetla. Pashtuqutzini!
Upcoming Events
GCN is presenting internationally! In February 2006, former board chair and team leader extraordinaire Suzanne Koepplinger will be a featured presenter in Cuetzalan, Mexico, at the annual conference of the Association of Academic Programs in Latin America & the Caribbean. Her presentation, entitled “Socially Conscious Programming for Study Abroad” will be a testimony to the respect and honor modeled by GCN programming. For more information on this interesting program, please visit http://www.aaplac.org/
If you live in a different part of the country, have you thought about hosting a Global Gathering? The gathering can be as large or small, formal or informal, as you would like it to be. The main point of Global Gatherings is to bring together people who are interested in global citizenry, to promote the GCN experience, and to connect! Please note: GCN now has available on CD a Power Point Presentation that presents Global Citizens Network in an informative, inspiring and creative way. All you need is a computer to show the presentation on. The CD will provide the facts, you as presenter can provide the anecdotes and heart: what the GCN experience means to you personally. Please contact Eden at eden@globalcitizens.org for your copy.
Presenters Available
Looking for an interesting speaker for your civic, community or church event? Consider Global Citizens Network. GCN is able to provide a lively, 45-minute, no cost presentation regarding cultural immersion and community development opportunities worldwide. Contact us for more information.
The Influential Lives of Women
Women are a potential force economically and can make a difference if they try; women can give more. Women make 85 percent of the purchasing decisions in America and are the dominant consumers in a market economy that is driven by consumption: we make up over half of the workforce, and a one-day strike could sink the stock market.
In spite of this, women have not yet achieved equality in politics, paychecks or boardrooms, and continue to face large challenges. In Minnesota alone, every 45 minutes a woman requests a restraining order to protect herself and/or her family. African-American, Asian-American, and Native American women are more likely than Caucasian-Americans to live in poverty. In 2003, 5,500 teen girls became teen parents.
What if women reflected on the world we want to see; what if we acted on what we want to change or preserve in the world? By aligning our resources and giving--we can bring our world vision closer. Women are potentially the most influential philanthropists in the world. We have the responsibility to be intentional about shaping and empowering the future.
To the women: What world are you bringing forward? How can GCN be a vehicle for this? Please consider advocating for peace by making a donation or gifting a trip in your family or circle. Giving your resources to support your values is a way of expressing your power to shape the future. Blessings,
Jan Smith
Group Travel: Join a Team, or Bring a Group of Your Own!
Groups from schools, religious organizations or companies benefit tremendously from the unique team building and cultural exchange of a GCN volunteer experience within a host community. Working side by side with local people, sharing meals and stories, sometimes staying in local homes, gives GCN participants an unforgettable glimpse into a culture and community entirely different than their own. In what ways can your group benefit from a GCN experience?
Pre-Learning . Do a pre-trip research project into one aspect of the country or community you will be visiting. For example - study the weaving patterns of the Mayan women, the spiritual ceremonies of American Indians, or the rituals of the Maasai warriors. Learn about the specific political, social and environmental issues facing our host communities. Take the time before the trip to compile questions and expectations you and your team members might have about the area. If possible, learn some of the language.
Chicueyaco , Mexico March 2004
Expand Cultural Awareness . Once in the village, observe and discuss how each member of the group responds to new experiences. What does it feel like to participate in a project within a culture that does not revolve around the clock? How do you respond to specifically assigned gender roles? What personal leadership qualities does each one of your team members bring to the work? If you do not speak the local language, how do you communicate?
Experience Growth. Take some time each night to reflect as a group on the lessons and challenges of each day. Did some members teach an English class to local children and others haul bricks? What did you learn about yourself, about your team members, about the community you are in? How will you use these lessons back home to strengthen your group, your organization, your world?
Bring it Home. Upon returning home, explore how you will translate your shared experience into your daily lives. You may decide to volunteer at a community center, write a story about your experience for your company newsletter or church bulletin, or find you have more patience and tolerance in your daily life for those who are different than you. Undoubtedly, you will have discovered in many ways the worlds of differences we all have in common.
Trips can be arranged with most GCN host communities, around a time frame that is mutually agreeable to your group and the host community. Group discounts are available as well. For more information, please contact us at eden@globalcitizens.org.
Changes at GCN
GCN is thrilled to welcome our new Executive Director, Linda Stuart! Linda, who has spent time living and studying abroad, has made it her life’s work life to advocate for respectful cross-cultural encounters and responsible travel. Linda has traveled throughout Latin America, living and studying in Nicaragua, Ecuador, and most recently, Chile, where she moved with her husband and daughter in 2001, and in 2003, received her Masters of Arts in International Studies.
Most recently, Linda had been serving the Twin Cities immigrant community as an ESL instructor and curriculum writer at the Lincoln Adult Education Center in Minneapolis, MN. Moreover, she has worked in management, development, administrative and research positions for the Institute for New Americans, Seward Community Co-op, Trece Lunas Arts Collective, Rethinking Tourism Project, World Bank Project SICA, Augsburg College's Center for Global Education, and the US Dept. of Justice. She has taught Spanish for managers and workplace English at area restaurants. Linda holds a BA in International Relations and Spanish from Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN. She is married with two children. Welcome Linda!
GCN also wishes to welcome new board members, Ashish Tomar and Katarina Hruba! We look forward to their knowledge and excitement in moving GCN forward.
We are also extremely happy that our former Executive Director, Eden Rock , who in January will be moving with her family to California, is also maintaining close ties with Global Citizens Network. Eden, who has worked passionately and tirelessly for GCN since early in 2004, will continue to do marketing and outreach work from her new home. Eden, who has an unending enthusiasm for the impact and import of global citizenry, has lived abroad, traveled extensively and will begin leading GCN trips this coming year. Thank you, Eden!
Continuing Education for Teachers
If you’re a teacher and need Continuing Education Units to maintain your certification, why not earn them while traveling with GCN? You could go to a conference or spend summer in a classroom, but doesn’t it sound more exciting to visit a primary school and sing with Maasai children under an acacia tree near Mount Kilimanjaro, or practice your Spanish with children in Guatemala who laugh at your pronunciation, or greet the morning sun from a Navajo hogan in New Mexico? Consider using some of your break from school to continue your lifelong learning across the world. It’s possible that you can earn up to ten (10) CEU hours per GCN week. Contact the GCN office for details.
Thank you for all you do and the many ways you support GCN!
We hope to see you on a trip soon! Remember:
Returning volunteers receive a $50.00 discount!Global Citizens Network 130 N. Howell St., St. Paul MN 55104 651-644-0960
info@ globalcitizens.org
http://www.globalcitizens.org/Global Citizens Network sends short-term teams of volunteers to rural communities around the world where participants immerse themselves in the culture and daily life of the community. Each volunteer team is led by an experienced team leader and partners with a local grassroots organization active in meeting local needs.
Global Citizens Network Staff:
Linda Stuart, Executive Director Eden Rock, Communications CoordinatorGlobal Citizens Network Board Members:
Rita Johnson, President
Kristi Papenfuss, Vice President
Jan Smith, Secretary
Jeff Theisen, Treasurer
Paul Ernst
Mila Bernal
Mohamed Gobana
Carol North
