Commentary

When you wake up in the morning and you turn on you shower, think about what it’s like when nothing comes out, make a pledge to use less water.

That’s solidarity.

When you get dressed each morning and it’s easy for you to fit into “girl” (or “boy”) clothing, think about those who are excluded by the gender system and make a pledge to challenge your own privilege.

That’s solidarity.

What Role can PML play?

My January trip to León this year, was exhilarating, exhausting and worrisome. This visit was my first as PML’s Executive Director, but most readers know I have a long history with the people of León and with the work of PML. From that perspective, I have a good sense that we’ll be facing an exciting year ahead.

Dear PML Community,

I feel honored to be able to address you, our valued supporters. It has been an exciting first new months of my tenure as Executive Director. We have now officially moved, and our new office is housed in the Resource Center of the Americas! 3019 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis. You are welcome to stop by and visit me during regular office hours – Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

PML’s Board is entering the beginning stages of an organizational development process. I am enthusiastic about the possibilities of better focusing our vision and strengthening our work, both in León and Minnesota. A few months ago we were presented with the opportunity to raise $10,000 to match two $5,000 pledges. These funds will be used to expand our already well established community development and advocacy programs in León, and increase our outreach efforts in Minnesota.

The free trade protesters that descended on Miami last November were all young, pierced and tattooed, right?

A few. But most were much more luscious.

Some carried puppets or giant flowers, some dressed as tomatoes and many chanted slogans against the Free Trade Area of the Americas, or FTAA, and a globalized economy. Now and then a guitar serenaded the eclectic and powerful group.

Some wore a "gapatista" sash over a white T-shirt bearing the word "Crap" in letters like those used by the Gap logo. During the demonstration, organized to highlight what protesters said was the Gap's poor labor and environmental record, many sang songs to the crowd and did what activists try to do -- educate people.

Editors Note: The Central American Free Trade Agreetment (CAFTA) is a serious problem for Nicaragua. Colleen Gilbert, a U of M student is currently a PML volunteer in León. Here is the first of several reports from Colleen featuring interviews with Nicaraguans to inform and guide us to assist our legislators in fashioning an appropriate agreement."

Yaniree, an extremely intelligent lawyer here in León, joked about a time she talked to a group of women about Trato Libre Comercial, ‘the Free Trade business.’ When she first asked the women if they knew what Free Trade was about, they sat in silence, pondering. Finally one of the women lit up with excitement and declared, "I know, TLC is a popular music group from the United States!" That woman, sadly, is just one of the many Nicaraguans who remain unaware of a policy that will greatly affect their country.

As my two years in León come to an end, I have many positive feelings and only a few concerns.

I am grateful to know Nicaragua and thus have a more objective view than before, of my country and myself. I appreciate the personal growth this experience has allowed. I recognize how North American culture values action and rapid decision-making over contemplation and consultation with the broadest communities. Our wealth and materialistic lifestyle facilitates a fast-paced life which precludes enjoyment of the potential richness of our community life; precludes enjoyment of our neighbors and the spiritual dimension that life in community brings. I am concerned how I will bring what I have learned here, home with me. What creative alternatives are there for creating the same community values and authentic life I have learned to live here?

Since my first experience with PML as a member of a delegation in 1997, I have had a very high opinion of the organization. This prompted me to take a year off between high school and college to work in León as a volunteer and return again this past summer for two months. This time, however, I was doing research about non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the Program in Latin American Studies at my school, Johns Hopkins University. My goal was to look at a variety of organizations, including PML, to learn about their history and their methods of work to try to get an idea of what people in León actually thought of them.

I have spent the past three months rediscovering traffic that doesn’t stop for pedestrians or stop signs, the presence of at least four rocking chairs in every home and "Nica-time" (meaning most meetings start about one hour later than scheduled)! In Nicaragua, the letter “S” will not be heard in spoken Spanish and people point with their lips instead of a finger. I wake up at 5:30 am to the sun shining on my face, lizards running across the walls, and cockroaches staring at me in the shower. I am treated to a kiss and a handshake with every greeting.

I'm convinced life is cyclical. Everywhere there are cycles. There are the big ones: seasons, birth, life, death -- but the smaller ones mimic the larger cycles. During my past year in Nicaragua I realize I passed through cycles in my work, in my relationships and in my spirit, too.

Leaving Nicaragua, it seemed so much had changed! Yet, in arriving back home, I realize that things are still mostly the same. I think cycles help us to understand the phenomenal tension between what seems to be "so much change" in life vs. life seeming to be the "same old-same old," over and over again.

Hello friends from sunny, rainy, sunny León, Nicaragua!

Today Amati attended school without mom, an event that has brought the typical mix of emotions of both relief and anxiety (for me). I have been attending with him since he started; can you imagine a parent whispering in your ear for six hours a day, "write, tie your shoe, take out your science notebook, all papers need to go into folders, she asked if you understand, he asked if you speak Spanish, they said ... she said ... say this ..."? Chances are good he's quite happy with my lips detached from his earlobes. And, if you can believe it, I was happy being able to wash my clothes at 6:15 (by hand) rather than the typical 2pm when the sun is so hot. (Mom, you are right...one can wear some things twice in a row before washing them.)