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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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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08.27.09
Posted in China, Empowering Women, Making a Difference at 3:29 pm by Administrator
I’ve been asked by many if I’ve given up the blog, and the answer is NO! I’ve just been a bit distracted this summer and didn’t know where I was heading next. Now I know.
I have been invited to be a Founding Facilitator at the World Academy for the Future of Women at SIAS University in Henan, China. I’m heading there in September, and will be facilitating the very first session in a series of 8 modules that will take place over the next 9 months. I will be co-facilitating and partnering for future business opportunities in China with Patty Vogan, founder of Victory Coaching. We’ll be in China September 18 – October 24.
In route to China I’m going to Moscow and Budapest to teach a couple of workshops for Microsoft. I’m thankful to have an opportunity to work all over the world and make money doing it. The opportunity in China continues my journey this year to make a difference. That’s what I set out to do in Guatemala, and the experience was way beyond my expectations. There are a lot of unknowns since this is the inaugural year of the academy, but that was the case when I went to Guatemala. In fact, I didn’t know what I was doing at all and it turned out beautifully. When I get back from China it will be time to figure out what I’m going to do next. So far, things have always worked out and I am trusting that this will be the same!
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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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03.25.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Guatemala, Making a Difference at 7:36 pm by Administrator
I swam in the lake 3 times yesterday – morning, afternoon, and one last time under the stars. The water is crystal clear, a perfect temperature – I think about 80 or maybe warmer. It´s so clean and fresh I don´t even need a shower when I get out.
Today I ventured out for a half mile swim after a 5 mile run down the lake shoreline. I am using an old mountain bike to get around town. I wish I could say I am keeping my weight down, but the food is good and I´ve been enjoying the local beer Gallo which is just as cheap as water.
I work with the women in the afternoons and today we are handing out seeds. I´ll be helping them plant their gardens for the next week. It´s definitely a wonderful experience!
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03.23.09
Posted in Central American Adventure, Guatemala, Making a Difference, Mayan Calendar, Tikal at 5:43 pm by Administrator
This past weekend I went to Tikal, and ancient Mayan city of pyramid temples, 3 acropolis, quarries and resevoirs. It was built between 300BC and 900AD, when it was deserted for an unknown reason. It was then covered by rainforest jungle, until rediscovered by the western world in the 1800’s.
It is a place with a lot of spiritual energy. The Mayans are now allowed to perform ceremonies here which were banned during the civil war and prior governments. We climbed the highest pyramid to watch the sunrise over the jungle on the Spring Equinox.
Even more faciniating is the Mayan Calendar. I am just learing about it, but essentially the Mayans were great astronomers who developed a sophisticated calendar system and also were the first in the Western Hemishere to identify the concept of Zero. The calendar predicts a shift of conciousness taking place over the next several years culminating in a significant change in 2012. In fact, the calendar actually resets back to zero in December 2012 when 5 of our planets will be in alignment. I am reading a book to learn more and will write another post with more details. It is facinating given the turbulent times we are living in and the changes in consciousness and values that may result from the economic crisis.
This morning I went for a run, and then a swim in the lake before heading off to a project kickoff at the local school. They are building bathrooms and teaching the kids construction. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to learn a trade. This afternoon I meet with the women’s group to finalize the plans for what we will be doing for the next couple of weeks – planting gardens in their homes. Needless to say, I am pretty busy!
I miss you all and would love to hear from you if you get a moment to comment or send me an email.
Love,
Allison
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