UAM (Union de Agricultures Minifundistas) is a Guatemalan NGO and works in association with ten different community development organisations - offering assistance and advice to 3,500 rural families and small growers (minifundistas).
Women project coordinator and data controller
- Training and workshops on women and gender issues, participation and education
- Following up the work done with women groups in production programmes
- Helping with administrative tasks in the office
- Developing a database system for credit data control and management
I planned this trip with 2Way Development to begin as soon as I finished my diploma in Development Studies at Birkbeck University. This way, I would get invaluable, hands-on experience of what I had learned in the classroom, in heavy books and in reports. I do believe you need experience of working in the field if you want to claim you’re dedicated to lifting communities out of poverty. I was offered the placement of Coordinator of the Gender Equity Program at UAM (Union de Agricultores Minifundistas).
I knew before stepping on the plane that there would be a Before and an After Genevieve; the latter being completely unrecognisable. Boy, was I right. My time in Guatemala was the most memorable – the experience has left such a print on my life that I’m sure I’ll still be talking passionately about it for decades.
I would very strongly advise anyone to experience something like this. Professionally and personally, it was absolutely amazing. I learned about development every day, and I learned about myself and others every second.
My stay got off to a great start as a couple of days after I arrived I attended a three-day workshop on masculinity with UAM. People came from Nicaragua, Mexico as well as different parts of the country. Needless to say I added an exotic touch to the place just by being there. This was only a taste of what my life was going to be and how I would be perceived: refreshing, exciting, knowledgeable and unforgettable.
My level of Spanish was about intermediate but I studied in one of the best Spanish schools for two weeks as a refresher. The lessons were one-to-one, five hours every day, and there were different types of activities – visits, trips, talks, etc. When I finished, I was “graduated” at the school party.
The first couple of months I spent doing lots of reading, thinking, analysing, research and a bit of dreaming too. Then I realised I really was living the dream, loving every minute of it! I used to play football with regular friends; we would always invite a newcomer in town to join the fun. I soon got used to the laid-back lifestyle – I felt even making a cup of tea could be scheduled for the next day and actually carried out the following week.
The artificial people of the infamous “telenovelas” displayed all day long on TV screens were fortunately not the people you come across in real
life. Guatemalan people are lovely. Hugs and kisses are given in plenty - although not everybody shows so much affection. The family I lived with during the first month were really nice and my colleagues were angels on earth. I was even given the key to my own office! They treated me like a Queen. Whenever there was someone new, I was always introduced to them in such an admiring way. People are so genuine there. Marcela, the cleaning lady, became my cherished friend.
And Guatemalan nature is wonderful. I couldn't help but watch the landscape in total awe whenever I was on the road. I visited many tourist places, including the famous market of Chichicastenango; the majestic Mayan ruins in Tikal; the magnificent Lake Atitlan or the breath-taking pools and river of Semuc Champey (do go there!).
The job with UAM went well. There were difficulties that, undoubtedly, made me a bigger person; more enriched and experienced. It was amazing how much I learned every day, including how to communicate with ferocious dogs! (In my case, it involved a lot of yelling and running, while others stuck with the more popular rock-throwing style)
I made presentations, and prepared and hosted workshops with the groups in the communities. I also participated in internal and external meetings, for example with CARE International, who we were partnering on two proposals. I went on field trips that could last from one to three days to monitor the income-generating or training projects we coordinated with the ten associations that formed the union. Most of the time I travelled with colleagues in the organisation’s truck – that’s if we weren’t stopped by the side of the road eating fresh coconut or other local treats.
I also visited the beneficiaries’ secluded houses. It was really enriching to meet them in person and be able to talk to them and hear their views. They showed so much appreciation, and I could feel their motivation and hope rising knowing that someone had come so far to support them. They showed a lot of respect even though they were intimidated. That's when I felt that what I was doing was worthwhile; it was just so fulfilling and encouraging. It wasn’t easy at all, there were many things that had discouraged me, but it got to be about realising that no hurdle should be allowed to prevent us helping them.
This is why I can’t wait to create another opportunity to do something similar. It will never be the same but it will certainly be about bringing myself the same joy.