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| Pearl Cays. Atlantic Photo Tours. |
The whiteboard hanging on the back wall showing diagrams, graphs, matrices and lines colored in blue, green, black and shining by the last rays of sun in the white room, permeating light poster paper hung on the side walls with tape. Chairs disordered around the table, empty coffee cups, ashtrays full, bins full of crumpled sheets and desks clustered at one end were witnesses of what happened. To inhale the aroma into dense, mixed snuff, coffee and alcohol ink, the wealth of the talks is still perceived in the small space, drowned by desires.
I said good afternoon and there was no response. Attracted by the board walked to the back and watched carefully the richness of detail. Names of communities that had forgotten Halouver, Brown Bank, Raitipura, Kakabila, Orinoco, Marshall Point, Tasbapounie-ordered numerically combined with dates, activities, personnel and budget guaranteed. Mesmerized, I turned my gaze to the walls for discovering the order of the flip charts with the communities listed on the board and the breakdown at the level of details, planting of pineapple, preschool building, well, pedestrian bridges, latrines, repair of wharves, workshops training and community meetings. What delicacy! I and the uncertainty was gone, the plan was developed. I had the feeling of invading alien space, I left quickly and went down the stairs, I heard my name from behind the patio.
- 're just in time, brother! "Carlos said. We are waiting!
- You know how the journey, first by land and then had to take two pangas replied to shake hands.
- Come ahead. The meeting with community leaders is about to begin, "he said and walked to school.
Before the meeting I was introduced to the field team, again to meet Johnny and Dolen after many years. Immediately I was welcomed with Caribbean heat to the expectant eyes and Chepe Carlos Leon. Community members were sitting on desks around the classroom and, as Carlos explained the work of the organization - we work to build a just world through solidarity, children are the main subject, promote comprehensive community development, our commitment is long term, do not invent our work because it stems from you prioritize needs in their communities, the commitment must be mutual, Johnny translated into English to facilitate communication, adding their own words the environment.
- is the first time I hear those encouraging words, I like the way your organization works, "said one of the leaders in English.
The atmosphere became tense, the smiles on the faces surfaced, boiling tempers became immediately wants to begin work in communities and at the end of the session, they parted with the hope to turn their dreams into reality.
lodge at Lodge Green captivated me the warmth of Wesley and his wife, the desired taste of homemade Caribbean food, open and honest treatment as old friends who reunite. After dinner we went to the patio, we sat on the benches placed in the sand under the shady trees of avocado and talked late into the night.
At seven o'clock we started with Ray to the Pearl Cays. We went by Set Net Point of the Caribbean Sea and an hour later we were in paradise Keys, an archipelago majestic, unspoilt, a haven for fishermen who get in their white sands for thousands of turtles that nest in them. Equal to the Utila Keys, I thought. Turquoise calm waters inviting to plunge into them. The tanks and food for the occasion were arranged under the shade of coconut and rum drinks with coconut water did not wait.
With the warm water above the waist made a circle where the board plans and flip charts were exposed, the best way to share, dialogue and exchange ideas for the future to renew commitments. Canal, pangueros, was transformed into a beach waiter carefully stuffed the empty glasses.
- But the issue of child malnutrition? Asked Charles in his capacity as a doctor.
- Child malnutrition is not here, "said Ray, with Carlos Leon and Chepe exchanged glances in surprise.
- Tell us, "said Carlos.
- Look, the people of the communities planting cassava, plantain, rice and eat fish, "said Ray sipping his drink and said - That's the best food, the most nutritious.
- Are you sure? 'Said Carlos.
- Yeah man, lad eat fish and shrimp. Households consume enough fish, "he reasoned, adding Ray - Here's another kind of hunger.
- What kind? Chepe asked Leon.
- Man, people are hungry for freedom, "said Ray safely.
- But how can we remove it? Asked Carlos.
- Working for the rights of the peoples of the coast, supporting autonomy, "said Ray.
That conversation in the waters of the Pearl Cays forever marked our relationship and allowed me to discover, after visiting several times each of the communities, the desire for freedom of the inhabitants of the basin of Laguna de Perlas.
Ronald A. Hill
Hill
New Guinea, RAAS.
New Guinea, RAAS.
Friday, April 15, 2011
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