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Mission
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To
organize women into networks of mutual support that foster
transformation.
Vision
- To
create a model of community organizing based on
attributes that have allowed women to survive for centuries
during difficult times. These attributes being the ability
to work together in cooperation and the importance of virtues
and values in healthy families, communities and world.
- We believe in a vision of hope rather than
anger; therefore, we organize our efforts around looking
for opportunities rather than complaining about problems..
Philosophy
- Our
philosophy is guided by the spiritual teachings of our mothers
that strengthen us and give us our resolve. We do not view our
work here as obligatory in the conventional sense of the word,
for our efforts and obligations do not match those of contracted
office workers. We view our work as a call and opportunity to
bring order and purpose to our own lives as well as to the lives
of those with whom we work.
- The
Maya creation story as written in the Pop Wuj informs us of how
two women worked in collaboration to form humans after asking
nature for instructions. This teaches us the value of
working in collaboration.
- We
learn from the new testament the power of women. When the
male apostles had abandoned Christ on the cross, the women
remained. When other doubted, the women were waiting in
the tomb. We learn from this story that women have to find
a way to survive. The we posses a strength to find a
way through difficult times.
- Our
mothers taught us that we have an obligation to serve.
As is written in the Pop
Wuj: “May all be lifted up and no one left behind.”
Transformative Methodology
- Utilizing
small group dynamics
and popular education techniques. Every week, we organize
educational conferences that focus on a range of topics.
Specific examples include, basic and communal health,
self-esteem, changes in local and regional markets, investing,
cooking, knitting. The conferences function within an
atmosphere of mutual support and group consolidation. In
addition, we use these meetings to help develop local
leadership. As we identify local leadership, we provide them
with resources to effective agents of transformation in their
community.
Strategy
-
Organize women into
small circles that function as communal nuclei, or strategic
centers. These communal nuclei are micro-regional building
blocks facilitating regional growth while maintaining small
group dynamics.
Background
- We feel
that a system of dependency fostered by the colonial history of
Guatemala is the greatest obstacle to our development.
Unfortunately many well meaning NGO and government programs
continue this process of dependency through activities that rob
us of our agency to deal with problems. We feel the most
important first step on the long road of transformation is for
us to assume the responsibility and power to improve our own
lives.
General Goals
- To
transform the traditional NGO model from a paternalistic to a
cooperative style.
- To
create economic alternatives that offer opportunities for
proprietorship through the accumulation of individual and
communal capital.
- To
promote a vision of civic participation by taking advantage of
opportunities and finding solutions to problems.
- To
create a policy of love, hope, and consensus that reflects the
feminine spirit.
- Develop
leadership capabilities to break cycles of dependency.
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