Some history…
For the last three years, the Social Justice Team explored
how to create a lasting partnership in the Highlands of Guatemala. Our work began with a member, Jodie Kacer,
who joined our congregation in 2010.
Jodie was a longtime UU from Wisconsin who knew the power and presence
of international ministry. Shortly after
she joined our community, she wanted to know what international outreach we
were conducting. We didn’t have any
international outreach! Jodie slowly
introduced us to the work she was engaged with in Guatemala. Jodie passed away in 2012, but her work lived
on as we held a congregational trip in 2013 and then submitted a project
proposal to the Board of Trustees.
As we have deepened our understanding of social justice
ministry in an international context a few important values emerged. We wanted any project to be sustainable and
empowering. We did not want to simply
engage in toxic charity where we gave away stuff that would not change
systems. We also wanted to ensure that
the least empowered and most vulnerable in the Highlands of Guatemala felt the
greatest positive impact. Last, we
wanted to ensure that our work was responsive and collaborative. We hoped for a project that met the desires
and dreams of those living in Guatemala.
After exploring several organizations, we confirmed our
desire to work with Maria Pacheco and her organization Wakami. Maria has created a model in which Guatemalan
women become business owners in a jewelry making business. In addition to providing training, living
wages and initial supplies, Maria also works with the family unit to help
provide educational opportunities and healthcare for the children. It’s a holistic model that is not a handout
but an empowering hand-up. Eventually,
the women become owners of their own business.
Maria works with international designers to ensure that there is a
consistent market for the products produced.
In addition, she fosters community and collaboration between the women
creating Wakami “villages” across the Highlands.
We have been hoping for some time to plant a new Wakami
village in Chuk Muk, a particularly resource strapped and isolated
community. Maria began exploring if Chuk
Muk had the dynamics to sustain a Wakami village and community members eager to
participate. This past fall, Maria
confirmed that a Wakami village will be possible in Chuk Muk.
How does this
reflect our values?
As Unitarian Universalists we affirm and promote the
interconnected web of all existence. In this modern world, hands from around
the world make our daily lives possible from our clothing, food to even our
homes. With this connection, comes a great responsibility. The World Neighbors
Project seeks to balance our social justice ministry and fulfill our
responsibility as world neighbors.
So what’s next?
We are partnering with several other organizations in order
to cultivate a Wakami village in Chuk Muk.
We have put forth a goal of raising 7,000 in the next year for the
village. After two years, Maria’s
business model allows the Wakami villages to be self-sustaining. We intend to raise these funds through the
plate collection, private donations and an art auction. The art auction will be co-planned with Amy
Hartman, the Social Justice Chair at the UU Fellowship of Lake Norman, the
Sinapi Foundation, and some members from Holy Covenant, United Church of Christ
who traveled with us to Guatemala last year.
How can I help?
You can make a donation to this project by writing or check
or utilizing our PayPal button found here Please write Global Neighbors Project in the
memo line. If you are interested in
learning more, please be in touch with Amy Hartman at amyhartman@bellsouth.net or Rev.
Robin at robin@puuc.org
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