Little Steps in the Right Direction: Peace House Challenges and Achievements
Article written by Colin Bossen
The
Peace House has been fully operational for about a year now, but we
have struggled with the challenges that face all new organizations,
such as sorting out our role here in San Cristobal, creating structures
that ensure the sustainability of the organization and the success of
our volunteers. Very recently we have begun to see the fruits of our
labor. The House has blossomed into thriving collective, full of lively
discussion and exciting projects. The feedback and support we have
received from our volunteers and the organizations we work with has
been truly inspirational. Earlier this month, I
talked with the director of DESMI (an organization with 34 years
experience in training communities in sustainable development
alternatives) about the role of volunteers at DESMI and in Chiapas.
Because they are an organization that also works with communities in
resistance, he mentioned the difficulty of finding committed, capable
volunteers who are also trustworthy in this political climate. He was
impressed and excited about the Peace House application and orientation
process that helps prepare and provide volunteers that are
conscientious, dedicated and skilled.
Likewise, our organizational partner, Sipaz (Sipaz is a well
established human rights and conflict resolution organization),
recently introduced the Peace House in the following way: Before the
Peace House it was very difficult for international volunteers to tap
into the political sphere or find a supportive community. The Peace
House fills that gap for mid to long term volunteers and they do
valuable work for Chiapas organizations and communities.
It is also truly exciting to see the work that our volunteers are
doing. Monica has begun interviewing, researching and sitting in with
task force to prevent violence against women in San Cristobal. Sarah
works with about 50 elementary school children and their teachers on
anti-discrimination and self esteem issues. Kara recently wrote a play
to encourage discussion about movement building which she presented to
the Red de Defensores (human rights organization that trains local
people in human rights law). Lauren is developing a GPS mapping program
for Fray Bartolome Human Rights Center so that human rights data can be
analyzed and tracked spatially. Miles is designing a sustainable
community garden for the Kinal Youth Center. Rachel is organizing a
trip for the Indigenous Photographers Union to Mayan archeological
sites that ironically, often Indigenous people never get to see.
We've also all spent time working with Indigenous communities outside
of San Cristobal, and the way we're welcomed and appreciated there
perhaps justifies our hard work most of all. I recently had the
opportunity to visit the community where I was a human rights observer
in July (I will also be returning this weekend as an election
observer). The children who I was teaching to read and write, greeted
me excitedly, and we were welcomed into families homes so that we could
share the current developments in what is a tense, divided community.
It was heartwarming to discover that one of the Zapatista families
decided to name their new baby Melissa.
Our work is increasingly recognized, valued and sought out by nonprofit
organizations in San Cristobal. And we're developing in some exciting
directions: creating long term relationships with a community,
partnering with immigration rights organizations, being able to accept
greater numbers of long term volunteers and short term delegations.
Unfortunately, one major issue we continue to struggle with is
financial stability. We chose to rely on individual and small
organizational donors because our budget is small (about $700 a month)
and to ensure that grassroots education always remains a key component
to our work. This means, however, that often we are teetering on the
brink, as it were. We would like to be able to offer scholarships to
volunteers and delegates, to ensure solidarity work is not just the
pastime of the wealthy. However currently, we will barely be able to
support present House programs through the winter. If you have
appreciated Peace House bulletins!
, speaking tours, delegations and opportunities and would like to help
our organization continue to grow, please consider donating. Even small
donations go a long way here in Mexico, and would ensure that more
volunteers would be able to learn from and contribute to the exciting
changes taking place in Chiapas.
Donations should be made out to: the Faithful Fools (who are our fiscal
sponsors for 501(c)3 tax exempt status) and should have Chiapas Peace
House Project written in the subject line. They can be mailed to:
Chiapas Peace House Project
C/o the Faithful Fools
230/234 Hyde St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Thank you for your continued support!
The
Peace House has been fully operational for about a year now, but we
have struggled with the challenges that face all new organizations,
such as sorting out our role here in San Cristobal, creating structures
that ensure the sustainability of the organization and the success of
our volunteers. Very recently we have begun to see the fruits of our
labor. The House has blossomed into thriving collective, full of lively
discussion and exciting projects. The feedback and support we have
received from our volunteers and the organizations we work with has
been truly inspirational. Earlier this month, I
talked with the director of DESMI (an organization with 34 years
experience in training communities in sustainable development
alternatives) about the role of volunteers at DESMI and in Chiapas.
Because they are an organization that also works with communities in
resistance, he mentioned the difficulty of finding committed, capable
volunteers who are also trustworthy in this political climate. He was
impressed and excited about the Peace House application and orientation
process that helps prepare and provide volunteers that are
conscientious, dedicated and skilled.
Likewise, our organizational partner, Sipaz (Sipaz is a well
established human rights and conflict resolution organization),
recently introduced the Peace House in the following way: Before the
Peace House it was very difficult for international volunteers to tap
into the political sphere or find a supportive community. The Peace
House fills that gap for mid to long term volunteers and they do
valuable work for Chiapas organizations and communities.
It is also truly exciting to see the work that our volunteers are
doing. Monica has begun interviewing, researching and sitting in with
task force to prevent violence against women in San Cristobal. Sarah
works with about 50 elementary school children and their teachers on
anti-discrimination and self esteem issues. Kara recently wrote a play
to encourage discussion about movement building which she presented to
the Red de Defensores (human rights organization that trains local
people in human rights law). Lauren is developing a GPS mapping program
for Fray Bartolome Human Rights Center so that human rights data can be
analyzed and tracked spatially. Miles is designing a sustainable
community garden for the Kinal Youth Center. Rachel is organizing a
trip for the Indigenous Photographers Union to Mayan archeological
sites that ironically, often Indigenous people never get to see.
We've also all spent time working with Indigenous communities outside
of San Cristobal, and the way we're welcomed and appreciated there
perhaps justifies our hard work most of all. I recently had the
opportunity to visit the community where I was a human rights observer
in July (I will also be returning this weekend as an election
observer). The children who I was teaching to read and write, greeted
me excitedly, and we were welcomed into families homes so that we could
share the current developments in what is a tense, divided community.
It was heartwarming to discover that one of the Zapatista families
decided to name their new baby Melissa.
Our work is increasingly recognized, valued and sought out by nonprofit
organizations in San Cristobal. And we're developing in some exciting
directions: creating long term relationships with a community,
partnering with immigration rights organizations, being able to accept
greater numbers of long term volunteers and short term delegations.
Unfortunately, one major issue we continue to struggle with is
financial stability. We chose to rely on individual and small
organizational donors because our budget is small (about $700 a month)
and to ensure that grassroots education always remains a key component
to our work. This means, however, that often we are teetering on the
brink, as it were. We would like to be able to offer scholarships to
volunteers and delegates, to ensure solidarity work is not just the
pastime of the wealthy. However currently, we will barely be able to
support present House programs through the winter. If you have
appreciated Peace House bulletins!
, speaking tours, delegations and opportunities and would like to help
our organization continue to grow, please consider donating. Even small
donations go a long way here in Mexico, and would ensure that more
volunteers would be able to learn from and contribute to the exciting
changes taking place in Chiapas.
Donations should be made out to: the Faithful Fools (who are our fiscal
sponsors for 501(c)3 tax exempt status) and should have Chiapas Peace
House Project written in the subject line. They can be mailed to:
Chiapas Peace House Project
C/o the Faithful Fools
230/234 Hyde St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Thank you for your continued support!
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