Long Time Gone...
Well, it’s definitely been awhile since the last time I’ve written….I’m really not even sure where to begin. I just got back from my visit to the States, aka. the land of the plenty. It was a whirlwind visit and definitely harder to come back than my last trip. Before I left, I was calling Nahuala home and dreaming in Spanish…now I am back, having to familiarize myself with Spanish again (It’s amazing how fast you forget a language when you don’t use it – even if it’s only for two weeks!) and wishing I was back in North Carolina…However, as always, you get back into the swing of things and back to the life that you are living…which for me, consists of only nine more months here in Guatemala. You might be thinking to yourself, nine months is a long time! – But for me, in this country, and all of the work that is here, I am gradually starting to panic. I was actually considering extending my service for one more year…but I have to admit, my visit to the U.S. changed my mind once again (the land of the plenty is just so damn enticing!). So as the clock starts to wind down, I am beginning to think of all the projects that I have started and whether I can finish them in time, or even whether they will be continued once I am gone…a little overwhelming you might say.
So what I have been up to lately?? I’ll try and give you a brief rundown:)
First, I have been working longer hours at the radio station, mainly teaching classes to the personnel. Back in August, I started giving weekly marketing classes so that we could complete the radio’s first marketing plan for 2008. This has involved a lot of product research, an audience investigation, and a competitor analysis. They have been involved every step of the way, and even though they might not like homework every week, I think they are learning quite a bit from the step-by-step process. I was planning to conclude the classes in December but it looks like we still have a lot of work left to do.
I have also been giving individual technology classes everyday, teaching the personnel how to use the Internet, how to use email, how to look for topics or music online, etc. When I started working at the radio, no one knew what the Internet was….a couple of people even thought that email was the same thing as the Internet and couldn’t grasp the idea that email was actually a service online. Now, every single person has an email account and most of them at least know how to use Google to look up things. Slowly but surely they are getting the hang of it…hell, they might even surpass my dad’s knowledge of the worldwide web! What was a real shocker, but gave me great pride, was when I received an email from a lady in the radio while I was in the U.S….she had just opened an account the previous week and still wasn’t exactly sure what to do!
Speaking of online, I have been holding regular meetings with a consultant in Guatemala City who will be creating a webpage for the radio. I have helped in the design and layout of the pages, and the text and photos that we want to include. One of the main reasons for having a webpage is to connect Guatemalans that are currently living in the U.S. to their hometowns, to provide them with updates and local news and culture. The goal is to create a network of Guatemalans, specifically from the department where I live, and give them the opportunity to listen in, phone in, and stay connected to their communities. As I mentioned when I first came to Nahuala, about 70% of families here have at least one relative in the U.S., working either legally or illegally. (I brought back a headset from the U.S. and I am hoping that we will also start using Skype during the production of our radio programs, so that we can form a chat group with Guatemalans that are in the U.S. We are exploring this possibility at the moment! Again, another program that I have to teach first and foremost.)
As for my women’s groups, I officially cannot take on another one…I have added three more groups to the list, and I don’t have time for anymore. I have eight now, and they keep me pretty busy! Over the last month, I have been occupied in looking for new markets, new businesses to sell their weavings to. I found two great businesses in Antigua, so we have started doing orders for them (they even provide the thread to make the weavings!), and now I am in the process of looking for fair trade organizations online. The work is steady which is great! Also, still teaching classes on costs of production and how to determine the best price for your products…sounds boring I know, but they are classes designed for kids so they are pretty interactive. Still doing a lot of cooking classes too…making pizza, bread, Chinese food (every woman here wants to learn how to make Chinese food…no clue why!)
My “baby” this next year is a project with Grameen Bank – I want to organize an association of artisans in Nahuala and build an exhibition for their products. Nahualá is well-known in Guatemala for its unique weavings and wood furniture. However, for both tourists and nationals alike, it is very difficult to find these products to purchase because Nahualá does not have a central location or sufficient number of businesses that sell these products. Most people who produce local products sell out of their homes. In order to bring more to the local economy, it is important to provide an exhibition of products in a location that is easily accessible to both tourists and nationals. In addition, it is important that the multitude of groups that reside in Nahualá work together to produce quality products, find new markets, and sell as one. With my 8 women’s weaving groups in Nahualá, each one is doing the same type of work, encountering the same type of problems, and working with the same local organizations. To maintain a stable amount of work and achieve the required production levels for future clients, it is preferable that these groups work together to represent Nahualá products. In order to begin this process, we will be forming an Association of Artisans that are interested in selling their products at a central location. With the help of Grameen, it is proposed that this Association is in place by January 2008. We are in the process of completing a list of persons interested in joining the association. We will elect a Board of Directors and the respective Committees in October, and then build a strategic plan and calendar of activities in November and December. A second step in the project is finding a central location to sell their products; preferably at the entrance of Nahualá next to the highway, or in the center of town close to the local plaza. An exhibition of local Nahualá products is necessary to not only maintain the local identity and culture, but to also provide a way of selling products directly through Nahualá, instead of always having to look for markets elsewhere in Guatemala. This allows both the customer and supplier to come directly to the producer, and eliminates the middle-men who sell Nahualá products to both tourists and nationals. In addition, an Association is a great marketing tool, with a united front, and will inevitably increase traffic and tourism to the town of Nahualá. Who knows, in the future, we could also add other services to attract passersby – internet service, restaurant, etc. Yes, this is a huge project, and probably one that I won’t see the end result – but it’s worth a try!
Lastly, I have been working on a grant for the past two months to get money for the Office for Women, a branch of the local government. The paperwork has been pretty extensive, and the requirements are exhaustive. With the help of a local NGO, we should be able to send in the forms within the next couple of weeks…we are just waiting on some cost estimates. We want to use the money to buy computer and materials for the office (because right now it is empty and the local mayor will give us nothing!) and also fund workshops to strengthen the group and its functioning – to basically develop and sustain a voice for women in the local government. Poco a poco!
Brought back a couple of exercise videos from the U.S. for my exercise class in Nahuala! This month we will be doing a Hip-Hop Beginners Workout, Latin Rhythm Workout, and Red Hot Salsa. Should be interesting…not sure how a bunch of indigenous women will react to sexy dance moves:) I expect some mouths to drop…
Alright, I’ve gone on long enough, and hopefully I will write soon so that I don’t have to write such a long post next time. Have a great Halloween…my favorite holiday of the whole year. But no worries, I will be dressing up in Guatemala regardless!
Love always,
Carin
posted by Carin Robinson @ 8:15 AM
