Ramblings - a different look

This was originally part of my "Familiarity" post, but it got quite long!  My mind started to wander after talking about the "cottage industry" type business' in Momostenango...and these meanderings are part of my experience.  I am not good at thinking objectively, and my thoughts are rough and quick, still if you have insight or wisdom, I would be interested in hearing (gaining!) it!



There is an opportunity for students to work in a women's prision, here in Xela, with the idea that the students can teach something to the women that will help them when they leave. Another opportunity is working in a local school as a teacher (although in two weeks school is over). I was trying to think of skills that I could teach. I have a high quality education, but as I stood in my room, looking at my clock, I could remember anything. It could be that my education is so engrained, that it is a part of me, or perhaps it would come back if I reviewed. I don't know. It is justs interesting that I am so priviledged, and yet have little "easily accessible" knowledge or skills to offer. I am not complaining, and I am so glad that I went to school, even if I don't remember the facts; it is just interesting, the contrast between hands-on (Momostenango) and the desk-focused learning that I experienced. Both are important, although I think that one sometimes dominates, depending on where you live.
...and some children don't have school at all. Public school exists in Guatemala, but parents still have to pay for supplies and uniforms, and the quality of education is not high, even though the teachers are paid well. Many parents send their children to a colegio which can get expensive, but the education is better. In my classes, there is often a large "conversation" component. This week, my maestra and I talked a bit about child-exploitation in Guatemala as I asked her about her take on buying from children in the park. It was interesting to hear a Guatemalteco's perspective, and she was very blunt about the existence of this issue. Obviously generalizations are just that, general ideas - not 100% accurate. It seems that parents love their children, but sometimes there just isn't enough money if the children don't work. For this reason, you will see children set up in the park with a basket full of gum, chocolate bars, and ciagrettes. No school. My maestra says that she buys if she needs what they are selling. Other children will simply ask for money, which she said is a "red flag" for exploitation. Just the other day, a boy (maybe 7 years old), came up to us in a restaurant, introduced himself and asked us our names...that doesn't really happen in Tofield. I went to the Feria in Totonicapan (45 min) on Wednesday and saw many children and older gentlemen with disabilities. One man was pushing a stroller with two young girls (with disabilities) asking for money. There is a feria in Xela this week as well to celebrate the patron saint. I saw him here as well. My maestra said that the only way things are going to change is for the government to do something. It makes you think though, what part Canada has to play as well. Between language schools, clothing, coca-cola, mcdonalds, coffee, hot chocolate, bananas ... the western world is not far separated from Guatemala or its citizens. This isn't a lecture. It just is. I knew it before I came, but a change (improving living standards here) is going to need more than the GUATEMALA government passing a law. oops. sorry. really, not a lecture...just observations. The sad part is that I am not sure that I am ready to give up my Canadian lifestyle, be it in Canada or elsewhere.
Humans need connections...I think about how exciting it is to meet someone from your own country while abroad, yet while in your country, it doesn't really matter. Values are based on needs; in our own country, we do not "need" Canadian strangers or people from other countries; we "need" things, and thus our connection with other countries isn't often based on human relationships but rather commodities.

And isn't it is kind of absurd how we divide people according to geographical location, and some places have and some do not; some are treated like animals, and others like diamonds (which are really just rocks), and yet each person has a life (intertwined with everyone elses), and each is really - human.  Eek...Sounds cheesy, but in reality, I don't think it is.  (Being helpless in globalization scheme?  hmm.)  Perhaps I think that it may be easier just to live and not to think.