04.15.10
Posted in Empowering Women, Gardens, Global Gardens, Making a Difference at 7:10 pm by Administrator
In March 2009, while the First Lady, Michelle Obama was planting the White House Kitchen Garden, I was in Guatemala, building 40 vegetable gardens with women.
Mongolian women with seeds
This weekend seeds were distributed in Mongolia.
We are now expanding the gardens on a global basis. I am organizing an international group to go back to Guatemala in June, and am starting a gardens project in Africa. Mongolia is already in process. India is also on the list.
The pictures you see are the women, distributing the seeds among themselves, and the gardens. This is a self reliance project where we build gardens in each womens home. We do it together as a team and each week tour several gardens to see the fruits of the labor.
Check out the CNN report at: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-431459
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04.04.10
Posted in Central American Adventure, Empowering Women, Gardens, Guatemala at 2:55 pm by Administrator
Join us for a journey to Guatemala – June 19 – July 3!
The Gardens of El Remate
Visit the beautiful village of El Remate where we will work with local women to build and maintain vegetable gardens for the care and feeding of their families. Empowering ourselves while empowering others.
Journey to Tikal, the ancient Mayan pyramids, on summer solstice (June 21) for a daykeeper fire ceremony on this very powerful day in the Mayan Calendar, 13/Transformer.
Experience Lake Peten-Itza where we will swim, relax, and meditate on the unique gifts we each bring to this world and the greatness we have to offer.
Learn, love, and laugh in the spiritual heart of the hemisphere.
Travel Itinerary
Saturday, June 19 Fly to Guatemala City, GUA and to Flores, Peten, Guatemala (FRS), ground transfer to Hotel Gringo Perdido, El Remate
June 20: Travel to Tikal, overnight at the Tikal Inn
June 21: Sunrise and Fire ceremony for Summer Solstice in Tikal, return to Gringo Perdido for the next 5 nights
June 22-29: service in El Remate
June 30: Travel back to Guatemala City for return flight
Central Plaza - Tikal
:
- Gardening, gardening, gardening (morning and late afternoon)
- Yoga and meditation
- Swims in the lake, sunbathing on the dock
- Guided tour of Tikal with visits at sunrise and sunset
- Authentic Mayan teachings, ceremony and cultural anthropology
- Workshops and coaching to identify your soul’s purpose, unique gifts and talents to be given to the world
Dock at Gringo Perdido
Beautiful Hotel Gringo Perdido: quiet, on the lake, great food
Lodging: Double occupancy at El Gringo Perdido eco-lodge on Lake Peten-Itza. http://hotelgringoperdido.com/ - 11 nights.
1 night Tikal Inn, http://www.tikalinn.com/
Solo travelers will be paired. If special needs require single occupancy, an additional $250 fee will be required.
Food and Drink: Large breakfast and dinner provided – 3rd meal and alcohol are available at travelers expense. Bottled drinking water is readily available.
Costs – $1200 per person including accommodations at Gringo Perdido, in and out bound ground transfers, NOT INCLUDING AIRFARES
Deposit: 50% required upon registration by Monday, May 3, 2010
Balance Due: 50% required by Monday, May 31, 2010
Fee does not include airfare, gratuities, or other discretionary expenditures.
REFUNDS WILL ONLY BE MADE IF YOUR SPACE IS FILLED
Other information:
- No visas required
- No shots required
- Tetanus shot suggested since we will be working in the gardens
- Bottled water readily available
- Translators or Spanish speakers available during tours and activities
Hosted by Allison Haynes 714.271-5103 – Allison_Haynes@hotmail.com
Barbara (BJ) Sadtler 630.334.7826 - bjsadtler@breatheinc.com
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03.26.10
Posted in Central American Adventure, Gardens, Guatemala, Making a Difference, Travel at 11:45 pm by Administrator
Today is the 1 year anniversary of building the first garden in El Remate…. That was an amazing day. First, it was my birthday. Then, while working in the garden with one of the fist 15 women, with my hands in the dirt, I realized I was doing something to end hunger – my wildest dream…. And then, when I went up to the bus stop to meet with a new group of women who wanted to work with me…. 25 women showed up, each wanting a garden. It was the beginning of an amazing year. I am so grateful to everyone that has participated in my growth, success, and contributed to my life. Things are moving in interesting directions that I never imagined…. Who knows what I’ll be doing next year, but the journey sure is fun!
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03.21.10
Posted in Central American Adventure, Gardens, Guatemala at 3:05 pm by Administrator
The gardens continue to grow, as we all do in our own way.
I am organizing a trip to El Remate in June 2010. The purpose is to work with the women in the gardens, and to share our lives with them. This is not the rich coming to give to the poor. This is a partnership in which we each learn from the other as we live and share our lives….
The lives of the women of El Remate do not change dramatically from year to year. They may experience a marriage, a death, the birth of a child, but they still live in the same village, and rarely have a sense of where or how they will pay for the next month’s rent, or perhaps even the next meal… Life is different. There is a calm in the routine and slowness to the pace of life. And a basic trust that there will be enough – enough to eat, enough to live.
Don’t get me wrong, they would all love to have the money we work and strive for in the developed world. For me it is a question of what I want versus what I need. Then again, I have the opportunity to make a living and to choose how I want to live. I suppose that having the choice is what makes it possible to have an understanding of the perspective.
At any rate, for the past year since I was last in El Remate and started the 2nd group, Brisas del Itza, the women have continued to meet twice a month, and plant their gardens. The government of Peten, the State in Guatemala (like California in the US) is building a women’s community center near the village. The mayor has dedicated a plot of land where they can have a community garden to grow vegetables for sale. That will create an income stream that they can use to invest in other projects.
One day I was talking with Rose, the other volunteer that started the gardens project 5 years ago. We were discussing how to move both Group 1 and Group 2 forward. An idea emerged to build gardens in each of the villages around the lake. If we can figure out a way to pay the women for the work they do in training the next group of women to build gardens we can create a self-perpetuating cycle that has the potential to take the gardens worldwide…. What an amazing vision!
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06.22.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Gardens, Guatemala, Mayan Calendar, Triathlon, Uncategorized at 11:24 pm by Administrator
I did it!
That is the main thing. I am very happy to just do that… the rest is icing on the cake. And there was plenty (bastante) of that….
When I registered on Saturday afternoon a small crowd had gathered. It is a well run event despite being small. They normally have about 250 entrants, but this year due to the swine flu and economic crisis attendance was about 100. My number was 52 – a magical number in the Mayan Calendar. 52 is 4 x 13. Most things in the calendar are counted in cycles of 13, and 4 is the number of the cardinal directions (North, South, East, West). It was a good sign of things to come.
It was a beautiful day in El Remate. I didn´t sleep much – too much excitement – so I woke up early and went down to the playa about 6am. People were just beginning to arrive. Being blonde, and tall, I stand out, so everyone talked to me to wish me buen suerte (good luck).
At 7am sharp we started the swim. Not wanting to be in the crowd, I hung back a little and took off after the majority had left the beach. The 1km swim seemed a bit longer than I expected since I´d had little opportunity to train. I rounded the first buoy, then the second, completing the triangle in about 25 minutes….
Then onto the bike. Riding through El Remate the women and their families were lining the streets to cheer me on. What a boost to my energy. I did this as much for them as myself. The first 4 miles is a series of BIG hills. I had trained on them twice so I knew what I was facing. I climbed the hills (poco a poco – little by little) finally reaching El Caoba at the top of the hills. The road continues on through small pueblos, farms, and sections of jungle. It is a beautiful ride. Some friends from El Remate drove along with me for the whole ride. It was wonderful to hear them cheering me on. 20 miles later I arrived in Tikal, the great Mayan pyramid center.
Only a 4 mile run to go. I took off into the jungle. It´s a beautiful park in the middle of the rainforest. We ran from Temple G Complex to Temple P on the other side of the park…. Then past Temple 4, the highest in the park at 74meters, and then past El Mundo Perdido, the Lost World, my favorite group of temples. Finally I rounded the corner and could see Temple 2 looming ahead and a big sign indicating I had reached the finish line. It read META….
Meta means goal. My goal had been to finish in under 3hours. I finished in 2 hours 50 minutes. They placed a medal around my neck and called my name. My friends – Alanna, Estella, Erwin, Esmeralda, and Di were there to welcome me to the central plaza. It was very exciting. I achieved my goal to finish. We hung out at the central plaza for awhile just enjoying the positive energy and satisfaction of achieving a goal. Taking time to celebrate the moment.
The group went on to tour the pyramids and I went back with Estella and Esmerelda to collect my bike and shower. Come to find out, there was a celebration luncheon for the participants back at the Tikal entrance… We walked in late, but the timing was absolutely perfect. Just as we walked in they were announcing the winner of the category Women age 40 – 49…. and guess what? I came in 2nd Place behind a professional triathlete! What a surprise! I received a trophy, and a hug from the Los Pinos Cow… (a milk company sponsored the event). Pictures to follow…
It was an incredible day to add to my list of amazing adventures here in Guatemala. I am so happy to have finished and to have shared it with good friends. I can´t wait to show the trophy to the women. I hope to be an example of what can happen when you set a goal and work to achieve it….
One last thing…. when I introduced myself to Eduardo Cofino, the organizer, we had an amazing discussion. We had met in El Remate on my last trip. He remembered me and ask what I am doing back in El Remate. I told him I am here working with the women to plant gardens. He said he can help…. He is in charge of the Guatemalan development bank and allocates funds to non-profits. He said he can help us get legalization, and money…. a lot of money. I almost started to cry…. Wow – was that ever icing!
My incredible journey continues. I just wonder what will be the surprise today!
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04.23.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Gardens, Guatemala, Making a Difference at 10:04 pm by Administrator
It´s been a week since I left El Remate. What a special place. The day before I left, the new group of women had a meeting to discuss their future plans. They will be planting gardens independently for more women who want them, and will be meeting every Saturday to walk the gardens to learn and share from each other. In total we planted 25 gardens with more to come. I have to say I feel like it was a success.
They surprised me with a cake – shaped like a crocodile, fireworks, and presents. I was very touched. They have touched my heart. It was quite emotional – both sad and completely joyful. The seeds have started to grow, and from that a wonderful friendship has also sprouted.
Some of my other friends had another party for me that night. They sang special songs, and held a special ceremony to send me on my way. I can hardly believe that I have made so many good friends in such little time. But this is a special place with special people. in fact….
A surprise for me, I wrote in an earlier post about triathlon training, which at the time was just a title because I was swimming, running and biking. Then I met the organizer of the triathlon in El Remate on June 21. A 400m swim in the wonderful lake, a 34K bike to Tikal and then a 7K run in the ruins ending in the central plaza. I started out saying I am considering it, but by the time it was time to leave I was saying ¨Hasta Pronto¨. I am going back to El Remate in June, just in time to eat some of the first vegetables out of the gardens!
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04.12.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Gardens, Guatemala, Making a Difference, Mayan Calendar, Uncategorized at 9:44 pm by Administrator
A quick update. It´s been a busy week. We have built 24 new gardens and planted another 15 existing gardens as well. Will be planting a few more in the next couple days. 30 gardens in 30 days. Not bad! Check out Lina and Clara´s gardens…
Heidy and her neice Milly taught me to make tortillas in her dirt floor, fire burning stove kitchen. We had the traditional eggs, black beans and tortillas for dinner. It will be nice for them to have vegetables to mix in….
I will be leaving here Wednesday to travel for a couple of weeks in other parts of Guatemala before I come home on April 30th. I will be sad to leave all the friends I have made here in El Remate. Especially the garden women.
This week is a big holiday in Latin America – Semana Santa (Easter). Lots of people are here for the weekend enjoying the lake. A good place to be because it is HOT! Over 100 with lots of humidity. I´m off to swim right now.
Mucho amor,
Alicia
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04.06.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Gardens, Guatemala, Making a Difference at 1:28 am by Administrator
A day of rest. Much needed. I have been building gardens morning and afternoon for 2 weeks. I wore myself out but today I spent the day resting and swimming. It is hot – in the 90s with a fair amount of humidity. Doesn´t sound that hot, but during the day it´s definitely time for siesta.
I am learning so much. Just as the women are. It´s an equal balance of teaching and learning. I´m learning about building square foot gardens, social development, group dynamics, and Guatemaltecos. Everyday I learn something new. It´s an amazing opportunity.
I miss all my friends but have made many new friends here. Here´s a photo of one of the gardens…
Lina´s Garden
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03.30.09
Posted in Gardens, Guatemala, Making a Difference at 10:54 pm by Administrator
In my last post I told you about starting to build gardens…
Well, let me tell you what has transpired now! Wow!!!
On Thursday I met with a new group of women in a neighborhood adjacent to El Remate. I thought there might be a small group that would be interested, but over 25 women showed up, interested in forming a group and building gardens. I have work for the next 10 days building 2 gardens per day. It´s hard work but very rewarding. On Saturday morning a group of 5 women helped build Claudia´s garden, and I must also mention Walter, Claudia´s husband who also made a big difference especially with the maya (fencing we put around the garden to keep out the chickens and dogs). We are all learning. We hammer with planks of wood, sort stones from the earth with our hands and break up dry cow manure to mix in to improve the soil. I´ve even learned how to use a machete….
And what is more amazing… Do you remember MY Wildest Dream? The end of hunger. I definitely feel like I am making a difference!
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03.27.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Gardens, Guatemala, Making a Difference, Uncategorized at 12:18 am by Administrator
For the past 5 years, the women of Ix-Canaan have had square foot gardens in their homes. Rose, a volunteer from Washington D.C has been working with the women to teach them how to grow vegtables and herbs using organic techniques. Unfortunately Rose has been ill the past year and the women haven´t had gardens for awhile. But now, the gardens are back.
Alita (another volunteer who is helping me with translation) and I met with the entire women´s group yesterday and distributed seeds (Radishes, cilantro, chile, pepino, and tomato). We offered to help in getting the gardens ready for planting. The group is slow to warm up, but we finally had a few volunteers. So, this morning I built a garden with Sonia, and this afternoon with Dona Juana. Blanca came by to supervise this morning, and she seemed much more positive – perhaps they didn´t believe that I would actually get down on my hands and knees to work, but work I did. Sonia and I cleared two plots for her and her daughter Deyme, and Juana and I created a whole new garden. Her prior garden is now a computer center. I will be building gardens with Gloria, Blanca, Gregoria, and Betty, and I expect that when word gets around we´ll be asked to help with others.
Today is my birthday. Anne (Director of Project Ix-Canaan) took us to El Gringo Perdido for lunch. Between that and building gardens, I couldn´t have had a better birthday. This is my wildest dream, to contribute toward the end of hunger, and it is happening. I am grateful to the women themselves, as well as Alita, Rose, and Anne for the opportunity to work with them toward the end of hunger in El Remate!
Who knows where I´ll be building gardens next!
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