By Alejandra Rosado | CEO
You and we, understand that impacting the link between youth and their territory is a priority for the world. The livelihoods of the territory where we live are under constant threat by the megaprojects that are driven through the interoceanic corridor, in addition to all the natural and social events that have emerged since the earthquake of 2017 and that increased with the health emergency by COVID-19. We have realized that crises and emergencies have consequently increased the violence and neglect to which children are exposed, weakening the ties they have for their community and territory, their sense of belonging and therefore their mental health and well-being.
We want to tell you that this month we began participatory diagnostics with children and adolescents in the community of Chihuitán, a community in the Istmo region, very close to where we live. In this community we will implement the project "Strengthening the Zapotec Identity" coordinated by our colleague Sara who shared with us what inspires her to be part of this social cause:
Working with children and adolescents is impacted by our own experiences as Zapotec girls and now as adults. Which has allowed us to observe and identify shortcomings and first hand needs during our childhoods, as well as threats to our ways of life and therefore to the possibility, for the new generations, to enjoy a dignified and respectful life towards our [their] identity.
Although our childhoods were not perfect, they were developed in daily spaces where community ties were strengthened and values that strengthen cultural roots and love for our territory were learned. We learned from the community the forms of organization, values, but also how to live in harmony in the space we inhabit, we learned by seeing, listening, living in it, where we come from. Each member of the community was an open book that protects the knowledge that builds our collective cultural identity.
In this context, I think it is a priority to strengthen the identity of the children of our communities, giving them back their daily community spaces and the possibility of developing healthily in them, revaluing the local knowledge that forms our identity to sow other possibilities for their future and sow the seed of cooperation and not competition; strengthen their self-esteem in safe spaces where they can discover and develop their skills through the resignification of traditional trades and above all feel listened to. All this is what we do with the accompaniment of our educational program".
Thanks to Sara and thanks to you who read us and accompany us to promote this project, soon we will have more news of what happened in Chihuitán and how we can share more safe spaces.
Best regards,
Alejandra Rosado
By Alejandra Rosado | CEO
By Alejandra Rosado | CEO
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