hello! i hope you all are well. i’m writing to ask advice in regards to a few things i mentioned in my last email update.
a few people have seeked me out and suggested that CHILA inc. avoid getting too involved in supporting the activities of the women’s group (Q’ana Tz’uul Taq’a) that we have partnered with on the ground in Chisec, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. i mentioned that when we went this past Christmas, they had prepared a contract, and among its items were a few important things regarding the funds that we are working to raise here in the U.S. with activities like our calendar sales, shirt sales, concert events, and online donations. the womens group wanted to make sure that their main mission/vision remains a part of our partnership, which includes cultivation of medicinal plants, farming, production of natural Mayan medicines, weekly consults with the Mayan medicine man, and continuing education relating to these activities. i wanted to consult with all of you before making any decisions because you all have played a role in getting us where we are today. i signed the contract, but only for 3 months, with a plan for re-negotiations in March when we return to install electric and water facilities in the clinic.
i believe that the partnership forged between CHILA inc. and Asociacion Q’ana Tz’uul Taq’a is a unique one, and although we have different missions, it is a valuable partnership that needs to be nurtured and is capable of achieving things we don’t often see with the numerous “non-profit” organizations and their often overlapping missions. empowering a local indigenous womens group and the promoting ideals that they have set forth as priorities, (priorities that i think are also inherently good) can only help CHILA inc. and our diverse goals for improving the health of the Q’eqchi people of Chisec. maintaining and encouraging the rich culture and history of the people, i believe, will help future patients take responsibility for their own health. we will certainly be basing our medical work on a western medical tradition, but working alongside a Mayan medicine model and helping empower local women leaders will only help our “credibility” and effectiveness in the region. the warnings i received from several people here in the U.S. were basically reminding us that we not give in to demands for money and maintenance of a paternalistic relationship with local Guatemalan organizations, because that philosophy of development never works.
basically, part of the money we raise may eventually go to help this womens group with their goals and activities, while the majority will still be directed towards furthering CHILA inc.’s goals with health in the area.
if you have anything to say on the matter, i’d love to hear it. thanks again for all your support and i hope to see you all at some point down in Chisec!
