Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Día de Gracias y Sala de Emergencia

Thanksgiving- a time that we Americans get to say THANK YOU for all that we have in our country from infrastructure to diversity to lasting ideals. At a time when I am living so very far from that place, I am awed by just how much there really is to be thankful for. 

I spent my Thanksgiving at a resort outside of Encarnacion with several hundreds of Americans celebrating all that is great about our lives in Paraguay and our home in the United States. Swimming pools and all! It was a serious blast- auctions, competitions, hiking, dancing, and lots of friendly banter amongst close friends. And thank heavens for close friends- because this lovely weekend I also had my first adventure to a Paraguayan emergency room. The final night of our event, I was dancing with a super awesome friend and dance partner when I encountered some broken glass on the floor. Another friend passes by, "Be careful not to step on that glass!" It was already too late. Not realizing how badly I had cut my foot, I tried to continue the dance until realizing that the floor had become quite slippery... I was dancing in a puddle of my own blood. I limped across the dance floor to an area with more light and we quickly realized there was a larger problem at hand, pools of red followed in the wake of each footstep. Realizing the gravity of the situation, people began to mobilize- some of my friends even removing their shirts to stop the spouting blood. Bringing me water and making all the necessary phone calls- a friend smiles and says "Don't worry- this will all be funny tomorrow." I glare back, "Yeah, it's not funny yet." Carried by two of my G-mates still in their swim-trunks having just left the pool, and rushed to the emergency room by the PC security officer- I'm sure the hospital has seen a stranger bunch, but not by much. A little wincing with two friends to hold my hand and cover my eyes (I hate blood)- I was fixed up in no time. Two layers of stitches: one to close the artery I had apparently hit and another for my skin. I get to the waiting room to find my friends asleep, still only half dressed but there to take me home. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you for friends no matter where I am in the world! There is so much to be grateful for this year, but the relationships I have with all of you are at the top of my list.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Debut Radial

Whereas the USA is a highly visual culture with an extensive written record, Paraguay is an auditory culture. History, language, news, and of course the local chisme is based heavily in what is said from one person to another, day to day, generation to generation. As such, in place of local newspapers we've got local RADIO. My small, middle-of-nowhere town has 3 local radio stations with another in one of our suburb communities. The stations are frequently connected to political parties- for example, two of our three stations are owned by the two latest political candidates for mayor of opposing (liberal vs. colorado) parties. Thus, everything from the news to events to local campaigning has its place. And today was my Radio Debut!

I have been in contact with the independent local radio ringleader since practically my first day on site. While I've had several advertisements for my classes and events broadcast thus far during my stay- they've been hankering to get me in to talk for quite some time. Thus, invited by one of my barrios to talk about our proyecto de arbolizacion y limpieza (tree planting and neighborhood clean-up project), my good ole' radio friend jumped on the opportunity to broadcast my ever-questionable Spanish/Guarani to a wider audience. Lovely... My personal fears and public shame aside, I think it went pretty well :-) Plus, my super guapo (hard-working) lider del barrio (neighborhood leader) is amazing and can talk up a storm about the importance of the environment for the community and all the fun things we can do with recycled goods. We even started a new battery collection program right there in the studio in the midst of all the chatter. Not bad for a first go-round. And, looks like we have two more radio shows throughout the week.

Ahhh... one step closer to adapting to a culture so very different from my own.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Dignidad Humana

As always with my community groups and projects, I have been astounded by the topics of discussion we've been able to cover in our first two charlas with the Constructores de la Sociedad on civic education and community action. My impression thus far: the dictatorship has left a lasting legacy both on the record and in the hearts and minds of my community.

On our first theme, human dignity, we worked through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as articles of Paraguay's National Constitution

Check out the Preamble's reference to the role of human dignity in Paraguay:
"The Paraguayan people, through their legitimate representatives convening at the National Constituent Assembly, pleading to God, recognizing human dignity for the purpose of ensuring freedom, equality and justice, reaffirming the principles of a representative, participatory, pluralistic republican democracy, upholding national sovereignty and independence and joining the international community, hereby approve and promulgate this Constitution."

Placed with such prominence in the founding document of modern Paraguay, human dignity is recognized as ensuring several key aforementioned societal values. The big question: where does my community in Paraguay draw the line between dignity and indignity? If only we could begin to give a shape to such an ambiguous term at the foundation of this gaining democracy, perhaps we'll have an insight into the ideals of this society as a whole and the challenges in achieving them. While I cannot say we got anywhere close to achieving this aim, we were able to dish out the group's feelings on poverty, disability, the elderly, state protection, and those institutions (or lack thereof) that work to address these ends. 

This week's second session, we focused on the rights of the child with regards to his/her dignity. Prioritizing the principles of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, we began to break down those rights that are coveted and those that my community finds most difficult to achieve. 

In order of importance:
Right to a name and nationality
Right to food, shelter, adequate medical attention for the child and mother
Right to special protection for the child's physical, mental and social development
Right to understanding and love on the part of parents and society
Right to protection from abandonment and exploitation
Right to equality without distinction of race, creed or nationality
Right to receive free education
Right to build a spirt of solidarity, understanding, friendship, and justice within the community
Right to special education and care for those physically or mentally disabled
Right to be first to receive help in the case of disaster

In order of difficulty to achieve in the community:
Right to understanding and love on the part of parents and society
Right to protection from abandonment and exploitation
Right to build a spirt of solidarity, understanding, friendship, and justice within the community
Right to food, shelter, adequate medical attention for the child and mother
As always with my community groups and projects, I have been astounded by the topics of discussion we've been able to cover in our first two charlas with the Constructores de la Sociedad on civic education and community action. My impression thus far: the dictatorship has left a lasting legacy both on the record and in the hearts and minds of my community.

On our first theme, human dignity, we worked through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as articles of Paraguay's National Constitution

Check out the Preamble's reference to the role of human dignity in Paraguay:
"The Paraguayan people, through their legitimate representatives convening at the National Constituent Assembly, pleading to God, recognizing human dignity for the purpose of ensuring freedom, equality and justice, reaffirming the principles of a representative, participatory, pluralistic republican democracy, upholding national sovereignty and independence and joining the international community, hereby approve and promulgate this Constitution."

Placed with such prominence in the founding document of modern Paraguay, human dignity is recognized as ensuring, reaffirming, and upholding several key aforementioned societal values. The big question: where does my community in Paraguay draw the line between dignity and indignity? If only we could begin to give a shape to such an ambiguous term at the foundation of this strengthening democracy, perhaps we'll have an insight into the ideals of this society as a whole and the challenges in achieving them. While I cannot say we got anywhere close to achieving this aim, we were able to dish out our feelings on poverty, disability, age, state protection, and those institutions (or lack thereof) that work to address these ends. 

This week's second session, we focused on the rights of the child with regards to his/her dignity. Prioritizing the principles of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (simplified), we began to break down those rights that are coveted and those that my community finds most difficult to achieve. 

In order of importance:
Right to a name and nationality
Right to food, shelter, and adequate medical attention for the child and mother
Right to special protection for the child's physical, mental and social development
Right to understanding and love on the part of parents and society
Right to protection from abandonment and exploitation
Right to equality without distinction of race, creed or nationality
Right to receive free education
Right to build a spirit of solidarity, understanding, friendship, and justice within the community
Right to education and care for children with physical or mental disability
Right to be the first to receive disaster aid

In order of difficulty to achieve in my community:
Right to understanding and love on the part of parents and society
Right to protection from abandonment and exploitation
Right to build a spirit of solidarity, understanding, friendship, and justice within the community
Right to food, shelter,  and adequate medical attention for the child and mother
Right to receive free education
Right to equality without distinction of race, creed or nationality
Right to special protection for the child's physical, mental and social development
Right to education and care for children with physical or mental disability
Right to a name and nationality
Right to be the first to receive disaster aid

Looking at these lists, we can see some of the priorities and challenges that my community (and very likely Paraguay nationally) is working with. One can draw his/her individual conclusions, but I see this particular sequence of rights as indicative of how society feels on a deeper and larger level- its values in the former, and its apprehensions in the later. Thinking back on my days in training and learning about the legacy of dictatorships world-wide, it seems fitting. Odd how one little exercise can make lucid a realization only thus far entertained in my mental musings.

If the aim here is to "build a society," (as signified by the group's name Constructores de la Soceidad) a clear understanding of the foundation upon which one is building is necessary. Little by little, we are re-discovering the bricks to build upon.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Construyendo una Soceidad

Elections are over and my work in the civic education sector is in full swing- open for charlas (facilitated sessions), discussion, debate, and community action. To get the ball rolling, my contact and I sat down for a lengthy chat about what the Constructores de la Sociedad want to do based on our work in September (vision and mission have been established), the groups guiding principals (many established through the Catholic Church's Social Doctrine), and an organizational structure we can build upon. Here's what we've decided on: 

TRIPLE TASK:
1.     Profética- Enseñanza (Formación)
2.     Pastoral- Servicio (Acción)
3.     Sacerdotal- Santificación (Celebración)

1.     Formation
2.     Action
3.    Celebration

METHOD:
Ver --> Juzgar --> Actuar

Observe --> Judge --> Act

PRINCIPLES:
§  Dignidad Humana
§  Bien Común
§  Solidaridad
§  Subsidiariedad
§  Participación
§  Destino Universal de los Bienes

§  Human Dignity
§  Common Good
§  Solidarity
§  Subsidiarity
§  Participation
§  Universal Property

VALUES:
Fraternidad
Verdad
Libertad
Justicia
Caridad

Fraternity
Truth
Liberty
Justice
Caring

STRUCTURE:
Urban Community Meetings every 1st and 3rd Friday
Neighborhood Action every 2nd and 4th week
Solidarity Event every 3rd Saturday

We are kicking things off this week with a bang! Official invites and brochures are being sent to all the barrios. Full-steam ahead on my favorite project yet in Paraguay.