And to Central America I will go

Last week I had a wonderful interview with an avid micro financing organization that I am extremely passionate about. The role would involve a four month fellowship in, potentially, the mother land. Africa.

For the first time (maybe in my life!) I thought really long and hard about the position. I have decided to hold back on that one because I am not sure that going away for four months and coming home again with no plan, no vision, just overwhelming feelings and (of course) many lessons learned, is right for me.

Karen (another friend), Jim & I

Over the past year, I've created a great friendship with a minister in town. He and his wife are along the lines of people you want to enjoy dinner with; there are many laughs and good stories. He is a character and a great speaker who always seems to know which little saying to throw at you that fits with exactly what you were thinking. They are not those who think of religion as the be-all-end-all. Instead, religion means love, kindness and helping your neighbour. They don't care that I'm not a "religious" person. They want to know if you have a kind, good heart and if you want to contribute to your world. That's it.

They have now spent 14 years as a part of a community near Ahuachapan, El Salvador. They have worked building houses, chicken coops, gardens, kitchens, testing to improve eyecare and various health conditions, educating children and setting up women's economic programs. They lived there for five years and have visited for eight more. They have come to have a family there. And since they have moved around so much (40+ times in their lives!) and don't feel like they necessarily 'belong' anywhere, it's become quite clear exactly where they do belong. However, in growing older they've realized they no longer have the mental stamina to live there year round - speaking a second language and working in the exhausting heat.

Right now they are in the middle of receiving a large grant to go towards a sustainable agriculture "Food Security" project that could feed dozens, hundreds or potentially thousands of families over time. It would teach them how to do the growing on their own (rather than simply handing out aid). There is an Agronomist on board who will do the training and follow up for the established crops. For ongoing development and management of the project, there are two pastors who will visit the fields each week to ensure everything is running smoothly and that any improvements to be made are done quickly and efficiently. But there is no one with proper project management skills to manage the overall picture. SO, it could be subject to running on El Salvador time..

 -- Enter one passionate Canadian character who knows a little (lot) about project management and who wants to work on a sustainable international asset-based development project?

One of the greatest nights this year was the night that Jim & Brenda showed me a presentation on their past projects with this community and asked me if I would consider helping with the project management of this newest endeavor - with the opportunity to contribute to the other projects using their vast network of resources (they personally know the Director of the IMU: Instituto de Mujer a.k.a. El Salvador's Women's Equality & Rights NGO).

It's a new area for me, but I did know I wanted to go to Central America already. I have had a passion and one College course towards learning Spanish and now it's a must. And I think nutrition and nourishment first will lead the way to bigger and better development goals being met. It takes care of that basic need, that once fulfilled, will go on to bring true hope and empowerment to the community.

I want sustainability. I want to learn more about all facets of asset-based development...not just micro-financing or education and empowerment conversations (although I love these), but about how we can successfully plan sustainable programs while also being in the field. This is important to me. I feel best sitting among the people. I want there to be a plan that will sustain whatever progress I make (if any). I want to make asset-based development and social change a sustainable initiative for myself and those I reach.

And I have so much to learn if this is my goal. So when an opportunity such as the one above presents itself, you take it.

This summer's trip is simply Step One.

1) I will first study in Guatemala, living among a completely Spanish speaking family in Quezaltenango (my Spanish's teachers hometown nonetheless) learning Latin American culture and estudiando mucho español at Casa Xelaju.

2) I will then move on to El Salvador where I'll get to meet all of the people involved in this project to date, including the Agronomist, an ex Rebel Commander of the Salvadoran troops, the Director for IMU and many others who have been integral in housing, medical, education, agriculture, and women's projects for the past 14 years.

Then I choose if I can truly help this project with the skills I have. Nothing lost, everything to gain?

Step Two would be a bigger step. It would mean figuring out how to have an ongoing relationship with the project in order to be able to manage it. Does this mean moving there in the future? It could. It could also mean something less drastic than that, but we will see.

For now, Tamara, one step at a time!

¡Vamos!