Building Dreams

Maria Pacheco and a Wakami business owner.

Today we volunteered with Wakami. The founder, Maria Pacheco, an environmentalist, and her staff members Flor and Eduardo took us to Patulul, a Wakami village. Wakami's website says, "Wakami Villages combine education and access to lifestyle improvements, so that people in rural villages can invest in the future of their families and communities. Our platform also serves as a mentorship program, on money management, community development, nutrition and education for children."

We were greeted by approximately 30 women, who produce high quality accessories sold in 24 countries. We began the day by introducing ourselves and sharing our dreams. Maria shared, "When you give a man a fish it is charity, when you teach someone to fish it's development, but when you learn new ways to fish together it is transformation." Most of the women's dreams focused on economic stability and supporting their children- allowing them to continue their education, have better lives and avoid working in the fields.

Next, we went to see Alejandra's home. Alejandra is a Wakami business owner. She demonstrated her new clay water filter, which she invested in over the cheaper plastic version so that the water would be fresher. Her teenage daughter, Wendy, was thankful for the water filter as before it was her job to boil the water and it was smoky and dangerous over the open flame.

Wendy and her 3 mischievous brothers.

While everyone else was checking out the kitchen, I struck up a conversation with Wendy, who just finished our equivalent of Jr. High. She said her mother wanted her to study accounting but then she began to animatedly explain how her dream is to study medicine. Although she would enjoy general practice, her eyes sparkled when she talked about pediatrics. She passionately explained how much she would love to take care of babies and children. When someone told her that she should come to the U.S., she said that she had to learn English first. She further explained that it is important to not have a translator; that only through direct communication could you truly express yourself and share with others.

White-washing the walls of the new kitchen area.

After a trip to the rural school and community garden, we began our nutrition and sanitation presentations. I was pleased to translate and was doing pretty well until I translated preservatives as "preservativos".  I was gently reminded that preservativos also means prophylactics. We all enjoyed a communal hearty laugh. I guess it's true that things are going to get a little weird whenever you put a large group of women together- no matter the differences in language or culture.

We enjoyed a meal prepared by Allina team members and Wakami women. The Wakami women were entertained by our Allina men cooking and serving them.

To end the day, we went to woman's house. As an award for top production, she received a new energy efficient wood-burning stove and some banana trees. We all split up and got to work. We tried to improve the new kitchen area with some white paint, and the planting turned in to a whole clean-up and landscaping project- leaving the home and backyard more beautiful.

Landscaping and new banana trees.

As we ride back to Antigua and reflect on the day, I am grateful for the time we shared cooking, eating and learning with these women. More than anything, how a smile and laughter never have to be translated and how everyone has a dream.

By Alissa Jones
Research Manager for the LifeCourse research project