Project Visits

Every year, one or more Co-partners board members visits each project to ensure that it is functioning well and to help solve any issues that can benefit from outside consultation. This year we were fortunate to have volunteers who contributed their services on both trips. Volunteers, like board members, pay their own way, sleep and eat economically. In Guatemala the group’s task was to evaluate whether or not to continue with the sheep project or to switch all resources to chicken production. In El Salvador, the volunteer and board member worked on repair of the Association’s meeting place.

Guatemala, February 2003

by Donna Breslin, Board Member

In February two Co-Partners board members, Donna Breslin and Julia González, and two volunteers, Rolly Thompson and Michelle Schuester visited the Chichicastenango project to assess the partnership and, in particular, to evaluate the sheep project.

Donna Breslin, the team leader, had visited previously and was familiar with the organization and members. Julia González, a native Spanish speaker, who worked in Guatemala for many years was an extraordinary guide in Atitlan and Antigua where the group looked for additional projects.

Rolly Thompson is a sheep raiser, former chicken farmer, and wool spinner who was invited to advise us about the feasibility of continuing the sheep project. Michelle Schuster, a children’s librarian, who was interested in becoming more involved with Co-partners, worked with children who came to the association meetings because of a school strike.

Members of ADIK, recently renamed the Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Mujer y la Niña (ASODENM) in a meeting with Co-partners volunteers.

During three days with the ASODEMN group, the Co-Partners team visited each of the women who had chicken and/or sheep; were celebrated with a festival complete with dancing, singing, a craft exhibition, and typical food; and discussed the status of the projects and future plans. In consultation, Co-Partners and ASODEMN decided to discontinue the sheep project. Pasture is hard to find, the sheep are under weight, and they have not reproduced as anticipated. Because the chickens are not yet mature, the chicken project could not yet be evaluated. Co-partners will continue to support transportation scholarships for three children and the school supplies program, increasing the number of participating children from 30 to 50. A sewing project was discussed as a possible new activity.

The 8-day trip was fruitful. The Co-Partners team got to know the ASODEMN members as individuals. The two groups discussed what is working and what isn’t. They determined that there needs to be a clearer definition of what Co-partners does and does not support; a balance between ASODEMN’s autonomy and Copartner’s responsibility to contributors; and more punctual and clearer status and budget reports from the field.

El Salvador, May 2003

by Jen Duffy, Volunteer

I had never traveled to Central America, so I wasn’t sure what to expect before leaving for Ilobasco with Archer in May and I was also a bit nervous because I’d only studied Spanish for a year. But from the first afternoon we arrived in Ilobasco, I was put at ease by the very warm welcome I received from the people I met. Communication was sometimes difficult, but everyone was patient and encouraging when I had trouble understanding or figuring out how to say something.

Jen Duffy, volunteer, patching cracks prior to painting the center.

I enjoyed the whole trip, but a few moments really stand out for me. One of those was a visit to the home of one of the board members, who lives in the countryside a 30-minute bus-ride from Ilobasco. Even though it was not unexpected, it was striking to me to see how different life is there, compared to the abundance of conveniences I’m used to here in the U.S. At the same time, the hospitality I received was as gracious and welcoming as any I’ve ever experienced.

Our service project, painting the inside of the building, was incredible fun, even though we worked very hard! A group of members of La Nueva Esperanza and their children pitched in to help with cleaning the building top to bottom, patching cracks in the walls, and painting the room a bright, sunny yellow. I especially enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm the kids had for painting. They were my most enthusiastic Spanish teachers, too! Midway through the day, we took a break to eat lunch, and I think my favorite memory from the trip is of the bunch of us, spotted with yellow paint and crowded around a big table, eating and talking in the afternoon sunlight.

On the last day, at the Association meeting, I had a lot of fun drawing with children who had come to the meeting with their mothers. As a bonus, the artists given my favorite souvenirs from the trip, a bunch of colorful pictures, signed me! As the meeting drew to a close and people prepared to return home, so many people thanked me for coming, and everyone wanted to know when I would be back to Ilobasco again. I’m not sure when that will be, but I hope it will be soon!

Note: ADIK, Asociación para el Desarrollo Indígena de El K’iché has changed its name to ASODEMN signifying

Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Mujer y la Niña. The change was made because the members considered the new name to be more representative of the organization’s goals.

Thanks you, thank you, thank you to the many individuals who made in kind donations for the two project visits.

Co-partners of Campesinas

Board of Directors

Archer Heinzen, Chairperson

Michelle Schuster, Secretary

Jim Heinzen, Treasurer

Donna Breslin

Julia González

Jeannette Rodríguez

Claire Schuster

El Salvador Volunteers

Gloria Martel

Mario Martel

Guatemala Volunteers

Catalina Ventura

Tomasa Guarcas Sis

La Nueva Esperanza, Board of Directors

Rosa Flores, President

Elisa Mercado, Vice-President

María Gloribel Flores, Secretary.

María Eduvina Peña, Treasurer

ASODEMN

Board of Directors

Ana Suar, President

Josefa Larios, Secretary,

Candelaria Ignatio, Treasurer

Sabasiana Toh, Vocal