INTERCAMBIO by Asociación de Organismos No Gubernamentales de Honduras

“Voces de los interiores de las mujeres sus experiencias, sus historias y sus propósitos”.

“Intercambio de mujeres” Santa Rosa de Copán - Hamilton 2010-2011

Introducción Este libro es la segunda parte de "A través de las voces de las mujeres: nuestras historias, nuestras historias y nuestros propósitos", la continuación de una experiencia que comenzó hace seis meses en Hamilton, Ontario, Canadá. Desde entonces, el contexto ha cambiado. Ahora estamos en Santa Rosa de Copán, una pequeña ciudad en la parte occidental de Honduras. La estructura del programa no ha variado; dieciséis mujeres jóvenes tratando de evolucionar y crecer mientras se enfrenta a una nueva realidad, una nueva cultura, un nuevo estilo de vida y un montón de nuevos retos a alcanzar. Desde 1971, Canadá Mundial de la Juventud (CWY) ha creado programas en conjunto con más de sesenta países de Asia, África, Europa del Este, el Caribe y América Latina. Somos el grupo Canadá-Honduras Jóvenes Líderes en Acción de 2010-2011, junto ASONOG (Asociación de Organizaciones no Gubernamentales). Nuestro programa es único porque se centra en las mujeres y también por las mujeres. Entender los desafíos de la equidad de género y la búsqueda de soluciones a las desigualdades en los países donde la sociedad se basa en el patriarcado es un reto muy grande que requiere mucha paciencia y una mente abierta. Nuestros días de actividad educativa, en la que participamos todos los viernes y discutir diferentes temas que impactan la salud de la mujer, nos ayudan a cumplir con nuestro trabajo voluntario con más conciencia y conocimiento. 2

Uno de los grandes componentes de nuestro voluntariado en esta segunda fase del intercambio es trabajar en el proyecto del sector con ASONOG. Con nuestro grupo, es sólo el comienzo de un proyecto de tres años. El objetivo del proyecto de sector es mejorar las formas de salud de las mujeres y la de su familia. La atención se centra en la prevención de la violencia contra la mujer y el VIH / SIDA. Por lo tanto, nuestro equipo tuvo la oportunidad de visitar diversas zonas de Santa Rosa a las mujeres entrevistadas. No es común que estas mujeres de las comunidades pequeñas de América Central tiene la oportunidad de ser escuchado. Hacer estas entrevistas ha sido una experiencia increíble para nosotros porque realmente estas mujeres generosamente nos aceptaron y abrieron las puertas a su vida íntima y personal. También sabemos que estamos participando en el primer paso de algo que continuará desarrollando más de 3 años después de nuestra partida.

Este libro es el resultado de dieciséis puntos de vista diferentes, dieciséis pares de ojos en la misma aventura, una aventura que probablemente nos ha transformado para el resto de nuestras vida. Esperamos que usted disfrute de su lectura y se sienten fortalecidos por nuestra historia.

Introduction This book is part two of “Through women's voices: Our stories, our histories and our purpose.” It is the continuation of an experience that started a six months ago in Hamilton Ontario, Canada. However, since then, the context has changed and we are now in Santa Rosa de Copan -a small town in the western part of Honduras. The structure of the program is still unchanged: sixteen young women trying to evolve and grow while facing a new reality, a new culture, and a new life style with a lot of new challenges to achieve. Since 1971, Canada World Youth (CWY) has created programs in conjunction with more than sixty countries in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. We are the Canada-Honduras Youth Leader's in Action program of 2010-2011 in conjunction with CWY's partner organization, ASONOG (Association of Non-Governmental Organizations). Our program is unique because it focuses on women‟s issues while, at the same time, the program‟s participants are only women. Understanding the challenges of gender equity and looking for solutions to the inequities in countries where society is based on patriarchy is a really big challenge that requires a lot of patience and open-mindedness. 4

The objective of our educational activity days, which we participate in every Friday, is to discuss the different topics that impact women's health and to help us to accomplish our volunteer work with more awareness and knowledge. One of the big components of our volunteering in this second phase of the exchange is to work on the sector project with ASONOG. Beginning with our group, the sector project is the start of a three year project. The objective is to improve the knowledge and understanding that women in some sectors of Honduran society have of their health and the health of their families with a focus on the prevention of violence against women and HIV/AIDS. Therefore, our team had the opportunity to visit various areas of Santa Rosa to interview women. It is not too often that these women from small communities in Central America have the opportunity to be listened to. Doing these interviews has been an amazing experience for us because we truly connected with the women who generously accepted us and opened the door for us to their intimate and personal lives. We also know that what we are participating in is the first step of something that will continue to develop over 3 years after our departure. This book is the result of sixteen different perspectives and sixteen different pairs of eyes on the same adventure- an adventure that has probably transformed us for the rest of our life. We hope you will enjoy your reading and feel empowered by our story.

LA POBREZA La pobreza es una situación o forma de vida que surge como producto de la imposibilidad de acceso o carencia de los recursos para satisfacer las necesidades físicas y psíquicas básicas humanas que inciden en un desgaste del nivel y calidad de vida de las personas, tales como la alimentación, la vivienda, la educación, la asistencia sanitaria o el acceso al agua potable. También se suelen considerar la falta de medios para poder acceder a tales recursos, como el desempleo, la falta de ingresos o un nivel bajo de los mismos. También puede ser el resultado de procesos de segregación social o marginación. En muchos países del tercer mundo, se dice que uno está en situación de pobreza cuando su salario (si es que tiene un salario), no alcanza para cubrir las necesidades que incluye la canasta básica de alimento. En nuestro día educativo tuvimos la oportunidad de conocer de cerca la realidad de las mujeres de Santa Rosa de Copan a través de unas entrevistas que realizamos respecto. A lo que pensaban y viven en su casa, familia y trabajo de acuerdo a sus realidades…. Las preguntas y respuestas que obtuvimos de dicho trabajo son las que a continuación describimos:

1.. ¿Qué piensa que es la pobreza? R// La pobreza no solo es no tener dinero, sino no utilizar la mente para hacerlo 2… ¿Usted se considera pobre? R//Si porque no me encuentro en el nivel social que me gustaría estar 3… ¿Quiénes son las personas que aportan dinero en su casa? R//Mi esposo, algunas veces mis hijos ya que soy ama de casa y no tuve la oportunidad de estudiar 4.. ¿De qué material es la mayor parte de su casa? R// Es de adobe pero me gustaría hacerlo de otro material pero no cuento con los recursos necesarios. 5.. ¿Qué piensa que se puede hacer para erradicar la pobreza? R// Tal vez que haya más fuentes de empleo para generar más dinero, y de esta forma tener las necesidades básicas en nuestras casas. Erica Villalta y Nicole Tourangeau

Experiencia de entrevistas de las mujeres Ser parte de un intercambio de mujeres nos dio la oportunidad de trabajar en inicio de proyecto de tres años dentro del programa “Jóvenes Líderes en Acción”. No ayudo a abrir nuestros ojos a ver la realidad de la situación de las mujeres en Santa Rosa de Copan. Esta primera parte del proyecto la desarrollamos como grupo visitando las casas de las mujeres y haciendo unas encuestas con preguntas generales sobre su salud, que hacen para mantenerse sanas, conocer sus actitudes ante situaciones de la vida cotidiana. Estas mujeres fueron de áreas de pobres, algunas de ellas no tenían baños, electricidad ni mucho dinero para su propio sostén. Tuvimos la oportunidad de acercarnos a las mujeres y hacerlas sentir en confianza, ellas fueron muy abiertas a todas las preguntas. Una de las partes de la encuesta más difícil de contestar fueron la parte de Sexualidad ya que la mayoría tenia pena al hablar de su vida sexual; la segunda fue la parte de Violencia en contra de las mujeres y asumimos que fue difícil contestar esta parte porque algunas de ellas están siendo abusadas física o sexualmente. Algunas veces fue difícil para nosotros mantener una postura natural ante las respuestas que nos llamaron atención, por ejemplo al conocer mujeres solteras pero con hijos de la misma edad de nosotras pero llevando una

vida muy diferentes con muchas dificultades, incluso para ellas fue difícil poder compartir sus vidas y demostrarnos que todo estaba bien y que eran felices pero a la vez era duro aceptar sus realidades. Realizamos este trabajo con mucha alegría y emoción al saber que estarías tan cercanas a las mujeres y nos hizo sentir que verdaderamente vale la pena estar en un intercambio de mujeres, ya que somos mujeres que conociendo la realidad poder influir en el cambio. Por Sarah Van Asselt & Analy Flores Tara Green & Erica Villalta

Nutrición Nutrición La nutrición también es la ciencia que estudia la relación que existe entre los alimentos y la salud, especialmente en la determinación de una dieta. Dieta. Una dieta es la pauta que una persona sigue en el consumo habitual de alimentos. Etimológicamente la palabra «dieta» proviene del griego dayta, que significa „régimen de vida‟. Se acepta como sinónimo de régimen alimenticio, que alude al „conjunto y cantidades de los alimentos o mezclas de alimentos que se consumen habitualmente. La dieta humana se considera equilibrada si aporta los nutrientes y energía en cantidades tales que permiten mantener las funciones del organismo en un contexto de salud física y mental. Esta dieta equilibrada es particular de cada individuo y se adapta a su sexo, edad y situación de salud. Tipos de dietas contemporáneas Desde el punto de vista cultural, y en función del origen biológico de los alimentos, las dietas humanas contemporáneas pueden ser:  dieta vegetariana: cuando no se consume carne. Los motivos por los que se sigue una dieta vegetariana pueden ser económicos, religiosos, ideológicos, éticos, ecológicos y de salud. Hay diferentes tipos de vegetarianismo. Entre ellos, el en que no se consume ningun producto procedente de un animal, y el en que solo se evita carne.  dieta omnívora: cuando se consumen alimentos de origen animal y vegetal. Es el tipo de dieta más frecuente en la especie humana. 11

dieta carnívora: si los alimentos de procedencia animal son los predominantes. No es común en la especie humana. La dieta saludable y equilibrada Un aspecto que hay que señalar respecto a la dieta es que esta es individual, es decir, adaptada a las necesidades y a las características de cada persona. Pero en cada cultura se sigue un patrón regular que es común a casi todos los individuos, de tal manera que se configura una dieta típica de una sociedad o cultura. Proteína. Las proteínas son macromoléculas formadas por cadenas lineales de aminoácidos. El nombre proteína proviene de la palabra griega πρώτα ("proteios"), que significa "primario" o del dios Proteo, por la cantidad de formas que pueden tomar. Las proteínas desempeñan un papel fundamental para la vida y son las biomoléculas más versátiles y más diversas. Son imprescindibles para el crecimiento del organismo Las proteínas están formadas por aminoácidos. Las proteínas de todos los seres vivos están determinadas mayoritariamente por su genética (con excepción de algunos péptidos antimicrobianos de síntesis no ribosomal), es decir, la información genética determina en gran medida qué proteínas tiene una célula, un tejido y un organismo. Las proteínas se sintetizan dependiendo de cómo se encuentren regulados los genes que las codifican. Por lo tanto, son susceptibles a señales o factores externos. 

Historias de Mujeres en Hamilton

Stories of professional women that make history Throughout Canada‟s history women have been looked down upon, ignored, misunderstood, demoralized and often discriminated against. They have been stepped on and pushed aside as men work their way to the top of the ladder. It is evident that men have been offered different privileges over the course of history. For example, women did not enjoy the right to an advanced education, to hold public office, to vote or to sit on a jury. They could not own property or claim custody of their children, among many other things. However, this trend has dramatically changed in the past 400 years. Some of the greatest accomplishments of women can be seen in Hamilton, Ontario as individuals strive to bring a balance between our roles in society. Canada has been named a country of freedom and equality, a place where individuals can come to escape the harsh realities of this world and feel empowered, especially for women. Examples of this can be seen throughout Hamilton‟s history, bringing strength and hope to women‟s lives. These women include, Helen Alice Kinnear, who became a Canadian lawyer and was the first federally appointed woman judge in Canada. In 1977, Mary Wong of Hamilton became the first Canadian of Chinese descent to be appointed as a Citizenship Court Judge. Ellen Fairclough, was the first female member of the Canadian Cabinet. The Ellen Fairclough Building in Hamilton was named after her. Eileen Vollick was fascinated by aviation from childhood. Inspired, this daring young woman enrolled in a 14

Hamilton, Ontario, flying school and on March 13, 1928 she passed the federal aviation test and become the first Canadian woman to earn a private pilot's certificate. Finally, Lititia Youmans proved womenâ&#x20AC;&#x;s determination by finding the Women's Christian Temperance Union in Canada. She became the first president and remained, after 1889, its honorary president for the rest of her life. It is apparent that there is much work to be done but these women have helped clear the path. These strong willed and courageous women, among many others, prove that the sky is the limit and anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Their stories inspire us to fight for our dreams and constantly remind us of the battle for equality and liberation.

By Sarah van Asselt and Eliana Diaz

Janet Hill Aboriginal women story. My aboriginal background is Iroquoian, (Onondaga). Within the Iroquois Confederacy there are six nations. Onondaga, Mohawk, Cayuga, Tuscarora, Oneida and Seneca. These nations were at war with one another and there was a lot of violence and even stories of cannibalism. It is said that a prophet was sent by the Creator who went by the name of the “Peacemaker”. This prophet travelled through their territories bringing with him a message of peace and love. He was able to convince them to lay down their weapons of war and live in peace and harmony by providing teachings and ceremonies which instructed them to use what is called “Ganikwio” or the Good Mind. The Iroquois Confederacy influenced Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Constitution of the United States. I grew up on the Six Nations reserve near Brantford, but also lived in Buffalo, NY for about 20 years. I grew up in the 1950’s so growing up on the reserve in my childhood meant that we didn’t have electricity or running water like most of the world. Some families did but we didn’t. Our toilets were little outhouses and our source of light at night was kerosene lamps. Heat was provided by a wood stove which we had to gather wood for daily. My school was about 2 miles down the road which meant we had to walk to school rain/shine or snow. At the time it didn’t seem like a particular hardship because most families lived in the same conditions so I didn’t know any different. My mother tried to raise us traditionally while my father was more Christian. After my parents split up we moved to the states with my mother. That meant that we finally had electricity and running water.

I was in residential school (The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Musholeâ&#x20AC;? or Mohawk Institute) for 2 years. I was fairly young (8) and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize at the time why I had to be there. I only knew that I missed the hugs and kisses I used to get from my parents. I was given a number (26), and every time that number was called out I knew it had something to do with me. I was only allowed to bathe once per week. We did get 3 square meals a day but a lot of the time it was not anything I would eat today! One time my mother came to visit and she noticed that my hands were badly chapped from all the scrubbing and cleaning they made us do. She went home and sent me a care package with lotions for my hands. Little did I know that the people who watched over us, (we used to call them supervisors), took the lotions from me and used them for themselves so they had nice soft hands while mine stayed sore and chapped. I think that residential schools were something that was thought up by someone who was not so bright. To intentionally strip a race of people of their earthly identities and imprison them in a foreign environment where they lose their language and spirituality does not come from intelligence but ignorance and arrogance. It has left profoundly devastating generational affects that are still prevalent in native communities. The government has realized what a huge miscarriage of justice residential schools were and has apologized to aboriginal people and tried to do the right thing. As a residential school survivor myself, I can honestly say that the only way to heal from the devastating legacy is through forgiveness...forgiveness is the only way to freedom from the past. Years ago I lived in an apartment house in the city and I had neighbors who would dress up like Indians and wait for me to come home from 17

work. When they would see me they would start whopping it up and trying to dance like us. I guess they thought it would upset me but I just started laughing at them because it made them look so stupid. When they realized that they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x;t going to upset me they quit doing it. They never understood that I was laughing at their ignorance. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x;ve worked here for about 10 years. My job entails co-coordinating traditional healing services to our patients and clients in the native community of Hamilton and Brantford. Those services include Healing Circles, Sweat Lodge ceremonies, Traditional Teachings, and facilitating Grief Recovery and Attitudinal Healing Circles. I have to book the healers and take care of their travel and accommodations and make sure they get paid. I also am called upon to do presentations on Traditional healing in the community. These I do along with the administrative stuff that comes along with the job, i.e., filing statistical reports, managing my budget, keeping my own files updated, answering phone calls, writing letters, answering e-mails, attending staff meetings and other committee meetings Traditional medicine is the oldest form of medicine. It was around way before the westernized way of practicing medicine came along and it is the medicine from which all later medicines developed. It comes from a profound knowledge of natural (nature) laws and the understanding of how these laws influence and affect all living things. This is shared by all Traditional Healers though the methods may differ from country to country, nation to nation. Traditional Healers can be found in most aboriginal cultures around the world, whether you are in Canada or Africa or Honduras. Historically, aboriginals were left out of history books, but with a new awareness on the horizon I think that may be changing. Teachers who are 18

aware do teach native history. Language and culture classes in mainstream education are already being done in the states. I worked in a city school where there were culture and language classes that were provided to the native students of that school. If there were non-native children who wanted to take native culture and language they were allowed to do so. On my reserve we have immersion schools where the culture and language are taught and spoken...no English. My personal hopes for the future are to be a peaceful loving human being and to truly know myself. I hope for aboriginals to accomplish in the future that we give up the victimhood mentality, heal from the injustices through forgiveness and move forward in our lives. To become free from dependence on the government and recreate ourselves where we are not always referring to the past to tell us what we are about in the present.

By Billie Breton and Julieta Turcios

The story of a refugee woman Here is Afafâ&#x20AC;&#x;s story, a woman from Kuwait who moved to Canada ten years ago as a refugee woman. She decided to share her experience for the realization of this book about Hamilton communityâ&#x20AC;&#x;s great women. Afaf immigrated to Canada as a refugee when she was 26 years old. In Kuwait, the law says that as soon as you turn 18 years old, you have to be employed. If you are 18 years old and not employed, you become an illegal resident and you expose yourself to be arrested by the police, even though you are borne in Kuwait. Also, you cannot access health care and all the privileges that normally come with citizenship. Moreover, you are not allowed to travel in the countries around. When she was 26 years old, for the first time since she was 18, Afaf lost her job and found herself unemployed Because she had already traveled to the United-States in the past, she had a valid visa for this country. With her father and her brother, she went to the United-States. Her father and her brother did not have the same unemployment problem as her but they had no choice to go with her because of their religion. Afaf and her family are Muslim, and this religion does not allow women to travel and live by themselves. As soon as they arrive to the United-Sates, they applied for refugee status in Canada. By the time they were waiting to be accepted, Afafâ&#x20AC;&#x;s father decided to go back to Kuwait because he did not enjoy life in the United-States and would probably not enjoy it in Canada as well. The immigration process for 20

Afaf and her brother took one entire year and has been very complicated. They applied to the English area, which sent their papers to the French area, which sent back their papers to the English area. Nobody wanted to be in charge of their records. Finally, they were accepted to the English area and moved to Hamilton, Ontario. Afaf really enjoyed her first months in Canada. She appreciated the freedom here. She could wear jeans and normal clothes which would be unthinkable in her original country. Like many other newcomers, she experienced the so-called “ honeymoon effect ”. Also, it was easier for her than for a lot of other newcomers because she already spoke English when she arrived to Canada. She had learnt English when she was at school back home.

After the first months had elapsed and the “ honeymoon effect ” was gone, she realized that everything was not as perfect as she had thought at the beginning. Quite rapidly, she noticed the lack of support for refugee people. If she needed something, she had to hire a lawyer and often she did not have enough money to do so. She also realized that her studies did not have the same value here as they did in her original country. Having your high school degree and a few computer skills is something very basic in Canada and is almost worth nothing when you start looking for a job. However, in Kuwait, the situation was different. 21

Rapidly, the issues stemming from to cultural differences started to appear. It took her a long time to get used to peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x;s mentality and their way of treating her just because she was different due to her religion among other reasons. The Canadian government did not help her in any kinds of issues she faced. She just tried hard to understand that Canada was not back home and that if she wanted to live here, she had to make an effort to understand others and tried not to take anything personal. Now, Afaf has her Canadian citizenship. She has been living here for ten years but she still faces some of the immigrant issues. Some people are unconsciously mean sometimes with immigrants. However, it does not affect her anymore. Because of her experience as a refugee woman, Afaf thinks it is harder for women than for men to be refugee. In her case, she has been judged by some people for her way of dressing. When she was looking for a job, she felt that her scarf was decreasing her chance of getting the job she was applying for. Also, when you are not perfectly fluent in English, people judge you for that. Stereotypes against refugees are very present in society; people feel sorry for them because they think they did something bad. In conclusion, Afaf thinks that the Canadian government should take more consideration into the fact that being a refugee is hard, not only because refugees have been forced to leave their country, but also because they basically have to give up part of what they are in order to live in this new land. Now that she is a Canadian citizen, she is allowed to go in her country of origin anytime, but only for visits. By: GeneviĂ¨ve Proulx-Masson and Madellyn Baquedano 22

A Story of an Educational Woman Rosmery Baptista My education has helped shape me into a more confident, courageous person. I learnt at a very young age that we have the ability to conquer and accomplish our dreams and that we can reach for the stars, as long as we focus, surround ourselves with like-minded people and work hard, and with passion, the result produced will always be ultimate success! My education has helped me to understand that if we change the way we look at things, they will ultimately change. Education to me means higher learning from an intellectual, psychological, emotional and spiritual perspective. Education presents an array of opportunities, allowing me to walk through doors that nobody has ever dared to venture. As a woman it empowers me because in order to perform a job properly, we, meaning both men and women need to know our stuff and that was taught throughout history. In history this was transmitted by osmosis, from mother to daughter. One cannot function effectively and at their best without knowledge. Education is a non ending and everlasting process because we encounter situations on a daily basis where we play and unconsciously switch the role of student and teacher to assist in our own personal development. I resonate with the following Chinese proverb â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself." 23

When I look back in history, I realized that women were leaders in the community even then. Perhaps not in teaching and educating, but they were always leaders of many organizations that helped in the community, like helping the sick or the poor, or helping people to get married or in any way or fashion, women were leaders. As a former flight attendant I realize the positive impact and tremendous change that one woman, Ellen Church made to the aviation industry. Although Heinrich Kubis was the world's (and Germany's) first flight attendant, in 1912, Ellen Church, and American registered nurse changed that profession forever in 1930 by being the first to envision nurses on aircrafts. Although Ellen was also a pilot, Air Transit (the Predecessor to United Airlines) did not hire her as a pilot but took her suggestion to hire nurses as stewardesses in order to calm passengers' fear of flight and made her head stewardess and was out in charge of hiring. The primary role of a flight attendant is to ensure passenger safety. Although in recent years men have also occupied that role efficiently and effectively the vast majority of the population continues to be women. I was raised by my mother and her parents on Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x;s Island in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I have never met anyone that valued education and had a hunger for knowledge like my paternal grandfather. He was a native of Portugal and later became a Brazilian citizen. HE carried his Brazilian citizenship with love, honor, loyalty, respect and gratitude. I was truly blessed to have such a role model as my grandfather and surrogate father. My grandfather, Manoel Baptista, was an innovative entrepreneur, a fireball, a philosopher, self taught musician and a genius. I recall him telling me that the saddest day of his life was when his mother took him out of school at the age of 10 to help work the land. He resented that because he knew 24

financially there was no need. They were well to do farmers, but she was following the traditions implemented by her community. His parents later immigrated to the US but he chose Brazil because it shared the same language as Portugal, so language barrier would not be an issue. An intrepid spirit, he moved to Brazil at 18 years old with his cousin from France. Although my grandfather had never been to France he spoke better French than his cousin who grew up there. He was self taught in French. At 18 he continued his studies in Brazil. He formed the first association to protect fishermen, similar to Canada‟s WSIB. He was elected President of the that organization and elected Treasurer of our neighborhood. He also recreated a more cost effective, long lasting, high quality and environmentally friendly fish net buoys “pandulho” to improve the fishing industry and the lives of many fishermen. He decided to immigrate to the US in his late 40‟s. My grandfather taught me that it is never too late to start new projects and that education and wisdom is our most valuable possessions, and the best gift we can give ourselves, but something not to be locked up but shared for the betterment of our human race and our own evolution. Although I‟ve always been very independent and an initiator in all my endeavors, my mother and my grandfather were very supportive and definitely the greatest influence in my education. I‟ve always met new ideas with curiosity and fascination, but I was taught to stand strong on my own two feet at a very early age. My grandfather taught me to become resourceful in every aspect to prepare for a rainy day. Although I must have been between 3 and 4 years old, I recall this particular event vividly, as clear as water. My grandfather was teaching my 2 older brothers, about tools and their uses such as hammer, 25

saw, etc. He delicately sat me on a bench and said in a living voice, “Mansa (that was his nickname for me – “Quiet”) although you‟re too young to participate physically in this lesson today I‟d like you to sit there and observe what we‟re doing because you never know when this may come in handy for you later in your life, okay?” My grandfather ensured that my time was filled with constructive and educational and physical activities. I recall my childhood in Brazil, and first years of school. Physical activity was the fist activity on our agenda. We would get up at 6 am go swimming at Yatch Club, to then start school at 7 am. School was from Monday to Friday from 7am-3pm. However every night there were hours of homework and private lessons. My brothers and I also had private academic lessons on Saturday mornings. It was a very strict and regimented system but fun I hope my story stimulates women to come out and study and further their education.You cannot do your job as a mother, as a wife, or if you‟re single, as a member of a community, and live properly if you‟re not inspired yourself to become the best that you can be. It is import that women get a formal education to empower themselves so they have more to contribute to society. I grew up in a culture and an era where women were treated on a petal stall. The women‟s role in a household was one of educator, mother and beauty queen. 44 years have passed and that role has changed dramatically. Women are more independent, sole parent, sole bread winner. Currently a woman is the favourite candidate to undertake the presidency role in my country of birth: Brazil. It is important that as women we feel comfortable in our own skins. 26

I myself, although I grew up with conservative traditions all my life, like my grandfather I always knew the value of an education and higher learning. As someone that has worn many hats in her professional career, until finding her true passion, it is important that we take the time out for exploration to really get to know ourselves, our desires and choose as a career what we really love to do, use our inherited abilities to its fullest capacity because as the chinese thinker and social philosopher Confucius said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your lifeâ&#x20AC;? Although it is important that we empower ourselves as women, it is equally important that we respect the significant role that men play in our society and in our lives, treat them as equals and work side by side to make this a better world for all in unison. By: Lauren Brewer and Tania Velasquez

Krista‟s Story Krista Warnke is the Public Education Coordinator at the Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton & Area). Krista‟s involvement with the Centre began in 1979 when she began volunteering on their 24-hour crisis/support telephone line. After 13 years of various volunteer positions, she was hired as the Public Education Coordinator in 1992. She has eighteen years of public education experience and has spoken to both small and large groups. As a feminist woman with life experiences and work experience in the women area, she talks to us about issues women encountered through their life, such as safety, violence, assaults and sexism. According to her, when people usually think about safety, they think about „‟stranger danger‟‟. However, most women experience violence by men that they know. Due to this false belief, women are not well prepared to face situations where they know the offenders and to detect warning signs. But first, why would we have to take all those precautions or even stay alert most of the time? Why is there violence against women? The answer is easy. It is all about power, domination, hierarchy and patriarchy. Krista knows what she is talking about, to have heard and seen a multitude of survivors of sexual abuse, harassment and violence, she knows when she says rapists are not crazy people or sex addicts or whatever other prejudices we have about them. They often are people like one and other who have been raised in a society with standards, believes and a male culture; a thing lots of people still aren‟t ready to admit. It was an amazing opportunity to have her talk 28

to us about women‟s safety and sharing her knowledge and experience to help us in our daily lives or even family and friend‟s lives. We feel blessed to have heard and learned from a really awesome and empowered woman such as Krista and truly believe there should be more education like this to all human beings for the human rights to be respected and to live free of violence. One part of Krista‟s work as a Public Education Coordinator in Hamilton, is to talk to different groups about woman abuse and to help people understanding it. Woman abuse may involve physical or sexual assault, emotional abuse and/or control of finances and access to family, friends and community. Therefore, woman abuse hurts, damages, humiliates, isolates, intimidates, traps and sometimes kills. In her work, Krista also explains people‟s power regarding differences. As a matter of fact, being a woman is having less power in our society but being a woman of different race, a poor or older woman, a disabled or deaf woman, a lesbian, an immigrant or refugee woman, and a geographically isolated woman, is being possibly even more vulnerable to abuse. Those women also experience more barriers to seeking and receiving supporting services. There are many factors in the woman abuse social context as to gender role stereotypes which often compel men to be tough and controlling, and women to be passive and obedient. Plus, there is the socialization of girls and boys that include all the messages we have learned and received as children who can be really harmful because they teach a child that being a male is more desirable and more valued than being a female. Moreover, there is the violence in the media that also supports gendered stereotypes for both men and women because when media messages portrays harmful myths or 29

sexist attitudes about women and men, it normalizes women as powerless and supports women abuse. There are many other important factors in our society on which we could be discussing and talking about for a while but one of the main points of this writing is to acknowledge Kristaâ&#x20AC;&#x;s really important work that has positive impacts on communities, in this case Hamilton and to also realize the lack of education or misinformation people have on women issues. We definitely need more people like Krista.

By: Sarah Paquin and Analy Flores

Introducci贸n del Grupo

Mujer Mujer, sigue siendo así, no cambies. Yo te voy a decir por qué: porque sabes que la libertad no consiste en salir por las noches, a tomar y en no darte a respetar. Porque no necesitas ejecutar actos libertinos para llamar la atención. Con tu personalidad, pureza, inocencia y fineza, tumbas a cualquiera. Porque sabes que no debes de cambiar solo porque el mundo lo está haciendo: sabes que esos cambios van en contra de la moral y no conducen a nada bueno. Porque no aceptas los abusos del hombre, te defiendes y exiges respeto. Porque sabes que la fidelidad no es solo una simple palabra, sino un valor digno de los humanos que si se incumple, rompe el alma y hace caer miles de lágrimas. Porque eres tierna y cariñosa, femenina y espontanea. Porque tus ojos reflejan pureza, y tú esencia acompaña en los momentos más tristes y más felices. Porque tú inteligencia te hace actuar con prudencia ante la gente. Porque sabes que la belleza interior importa más que la exterior. Porque siempre has sido buena hija, hermana y amiga. Porque tus valores morales están por encima de los materiales, y te preocupas por ser tu misma y no por el que dirán. Porque amas a Dios y lo llevas en ti como principal motivación en todos tus actos. Porque sabes que, en algún lugar del cielo, la Virgen te esta sonriendo, porque esta en ti esa luz natural que contagia tu alegría. Porque eres una mujer fuerte… completa. Siéntete segura, va a haber muchas oportunidades para ti, te descubrirán porque el brillo del oro no se puede ocultar y tú brillas como éste. Anónimo

Edad: 23 Lugar: Ocotepeque, Honduras Contraparte: Geneva Sky Marie Stowell Lugar de trabajo: Foro SIDA

Agradezco en primer lugar a Dios nuestro señor y a la virgen María por esta segunda fase del intercambio ya que fue la mejor fase que pude vivir. A mis padres y hermanas por ser mi pilar, mi soporte en esta aventura y por demostrarme a cada instante su amor a pesar de la distancia. A mis amigas y amigos por sus consejos, su apoyo y por su verdadera amistad. A mi familia anfitriona, Karla Torres de Duarte, Nain Duarte, Nain, Carlitos Gabriela y Fernando duarte torres por todo su cariño confianza y hospitalidad. los quiero mucho. Agradezco a cada una de las chicas del intercambio que formaron parte de esta gran aventura durante seis meses, gracias por hacer de esto algo inolvidable. A las supervisoras del programa por su disposición y entrega A mi centro de trabajo Foro SIDA, especialmente a Edar Jahaziel Mejía por aceptarme como voluntaria, por ser una persona muy especial y poder convertirnos en buenos amigos. frase: Es necesario aprender lo que necesitamos y no únicamente lo que queremos. (Paulo Coelho) 33

Edad: 21 Lugar: British Columbia, Canada Contraparte: Grecia Murcia Lugar de trabajo: ADELSAR

Edad: 21 Lugar: Teupasenti , Honduras Contraparte: Nicole Tourangeau Lugar de trabajo: ASONOG Agradezco infinitamente a Dios por permitirme vivir esta segunda fase de el intercambio En Santa Rosa de Copan un lugar donde las personas son muy amables y buenos hospedantes de sus visitantes. Mi familia que me dio su apoyo incondicional en esta experiencia como lo es el intercambio de Mujeres.... A mi familia anfitriona Mirza y Gustavo por haberme abierto las puertas de su casa, brindándome su confianza, les agradezco cada pequeño detalle que tuvieron conmigo, cada uno de esos momentos siempre estarán en mis pensamientos...,mi lugar de trabajo ASONOG, mi contraparte Nicole por el tiempo que compartí con ella, mis amigas y cada una de las chicas por estar compartiendo esta inolvidable experiencia...... Mis supervisoras Heidy y Nisha Es un placer culminar este proyecto sabiendo que he obtenido un muy buen aprendizaje, en mi vida me servirá mucho en el presente y en el futuro Los Quiero mucho... Siempre estarán en mi corazón.... Cada día hay algo nuevo que aprender..... 35

Abigail Adams wrote that Â¨Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardour and attended to with dilligence.Â¨ For myself, to always continue learning no matter what obstacles you face is of the utmost value. However, we must acknowledge that learning comes in many forms and the time we have spent in our new families, workplaces, and countries is invaluable to our learning and growing as people. Thank you to all the amazing women I met and to the great friendships I have made along the way. This expierience is one for which I will never forget.

Edad: 24 Lugar: British Columbia Contraparte: Erica Villaltra Lugar de trabajo: ETAOO 36

El Intercambio Canada World Youth / Asonog significo mucho en vida, te marca tu vida, y te hace pensar en la realidad de tu país: Fueron muchos momentos alegres, tristes y hasta de ira, mas sin embargo la experiencia fuera del país y de tu casa te trae muchas responsabilidades ya que estas lejos de las personas que te quieren y cuidan, lejos de tu familia. Pero esto es sumamente positivo porque ayuda en la construcción de la independencia, capacidad de adaptación y madurez. Simplemente puedo decir que estoy muy feliz con este intercambio tuve la oportunidad de conocer lugares y personas maravillosas. Gracias a todas la personas que me ayudaron en esos momentos de tristeza y de angustia y me dieron palabras muy sabias cuando quería renunciar al programa. Hoy por hoy me siento alegre que puede concluir este programa, gracias a Dios por ser mi fortaleza.

Edad: 25 Lugar: San Pedro Sula, Honduras Contrapartes: Sarah van Asselt, Eliana Diaz y Billie Brereton Lugar de trabajo: ETAOO

Edad: 19 Lugar: Choloma, Honduras Contrapartes: Sarah van Asselt y Julieta Turcios Lugar de trabajo: ADELSAR Antes que nada quiero agradecer a Dios por darme esta gran oportunidad de poder ser parte de esta gran experiencia, agradecer a mi madre que fue la que me dio apollo ,valor para seguir cada etapa del programa, a mi familia anfitriona Prfa. Antonieta y Saida mi sister, gracias por todo son muy especiales para mi, mi lugar de trabajo a las personas que siempre me dieron ese gran apollo Aurora Pérez, Ramón Prado, Hugo López, Wilmer Landaverry, y aquellas que abrieron las puertas para que yo estuviera ahí Gerente general Osman ordones y Lic. Claudia Tabora.Sarah mi hermana ,cada mañana de estos 6 meses era la primera cara que miraba al despertar, por su apollo compañía, comprensión , quien hiso mas grandes mis fuerzas love u VAMBI!! . Julieta ´contraparte´un gran apoyo para mi mas que una amiga mi hermana, Erika,,Medellyn, Ximena, Analy, Grecia,chicas Jams olvidare los maravillosos momentos que compartimoses taran siempre en mi corazon las amo!!Tara,Lauren, Nicole, Genvieve Geneva‟‟contraparte´´Sarah p. no importa la distancia siempre estaran precente en mi corazon las quiero mucho. Heidy Gracias por su apoyo, es una persona maravillosa, lkm, Nisha siempre la recordare gracias por todo su gran apoyo lkm.. Hoy puedo decir que puedo ser una persona emprendedora y con una visión futurista, el programa fue un éxito, para mi y para las voluntarias fue una experiencia Maravillosa, con momentos lindos como tristes pero todos esos momentos me ayudaron que esto fuera un éxito ahora. Para las cosas grandes y arduas se necesitan combinación sosegada, voluntad decidida, acción vigorosa, cabeza de hielo, corazón de fuego y mano de hierro. 38

Edad: 19 Lugar: British Columbia, Canada Contrapartes: Eliana Diaz y Julieta Turcios Lugar de trabajo: ASONOG Like Hamilton, Santa Rosa has been a stomping ground for learning, adventure, and personal reflection. The second phase of this program has allowed each volunteer to grow individually while at the same time, make a difference in the world. Simply put, we have succeeded. To succeed is â&#x20AC;&#x153;to laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.â&#x20AC;? Throughout the last 6 months we have grown together, shared memories, explored the unfamiliar and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. This experience has changed my life and I will never forget any minute of it. 39

Quiero agradecer primeramente a Dios por esta bella y linda experiencia; la cual me ha ayudado a ser mejor persona y a conocerme más a mí misma. A mis padres Heriberto Baquedano y Rosa Moncada por ser los pioneros de mi vida y darme su apoyo en todo momento comprendiéndome y siendo mis mejores amigos al igual que mis hermanos Sanders y Nicolle. A todas las personas a lo largo de este proceso como Karla sparrow, Nisha Metha, Heidy Ramírez, Familias anfitrionas tanto de Canadá como de Honduras, y lugares de trabajo por apoyarme en los momentos necesarios. También a ASONOG Y CWY por brindarnos esta increíble oportunidad y a todas las chicas del intercambio por hacer de todo esto algo mejor. Finalmente a Geneviève mí querida contraparte porque en estos 6 meses he aprendido mucho de ella y más que una contraparte es y será una buena amiga y hermana que siempre llevare en mi corazón. Gracias a Todos!!!!!

Edad: 22 Lugar: Tegucigalpa , Honduras Contrapartes: Geneviève ProulxMasson y Lauren Brewer-Palhazi Lugar de trabajo: Centro de la Mujer Copaneca y CIPRODEH

Edad: 19 Lugar: Québec, Canada Contrapartes: Madellyn Baquedano y Lauren Brewer-Palhazi Lugar de trabajo: Region de Salud del Occidente “Three months in Honduras: an unknown adventure, new learning, new challenges, growing up a little bit more everyday…but not without effort.” I want to thank my two host families: Doña Carmelina, Don Manuel and Rocio (the first one), Doña Lorena, Don Smelyn, Lorena Ivette and Faviola (the second one) for having welcomed me and taken care of me. I also want to thank all the girls who are part of this incredible group, who have made it so awesome. Thank you to the supervisors Heidy and Nisha who always succeeded leading this exchange even in the hardest moments. I also want to make a shout out to my friend Sarah, who has always been by my side. I cannot conclude this little message without a special mention of Madellyn, my counterpart, my friend, my sister. She is the most important element of this exchange for me. I've learnt so much from our long conversations and while our relationship has had it's ups and downs, it has only helped solidify our relationship. The time we have shared together will forever remain precious memories in my heart. I 41 love you Madellyn.

This has definitely been a crazy journey. Fortunately for me along the way, I have had many new and interesting experiences, been able to meet fascinating people and make wonderful friends. Although it hasn‟t always been easy, I wouldn‟t take back this experience back for anything in the world. Special thanks for my host family: Don Esmelyn, Doña Lorena, Lorena Ivette and Faviola, for all your love and support. Tania, my counterpart, you‟re family. I love and miss you. To the lovely ladies in the group, thank you for being so wonderful and making this experience what it was. Love you all! Edad: 21 Lugar: British Columbia, Canada Contrapartes: Madellyn Baquedano, y Genevieve Proulx-Masson, Lugar de trabajo: FOROSIDA 42

Ha sido largo el camino pero el más emociónate de mi vida. Dios me regalo esta experiencia la cual he disfrutado en todas las maneras posibles. El valor más importante que conocí fue la amistad confianza y apoyo mutuo al tener a la más lindas personas a mi lado SARAH PAQUIN y SARAH VAN, aprendí mucho de ellas; al compartir con 23 grandes mujeres las cuales me dieron un espacio en sus corazones y en el mío ganaron uno. Mi familia ante todo ha estado presente mostrándome su amor y apoyo algo que jamás nada ni nadie cambiara. Mi vida ha cambiado más positivamente, quiero correr a mostrarles a todos los que he aprendido, soy una mujer dispuesta demostrar el lugar que merezco. Con el lema de toda mi vida y viéndolo realidad cada día, digo: Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece. Fil. 4:13

Edad: 21 Lugar :Choloma, Honduras Contraparte: Sarah Paquin Lugar de trabajo: ASONOG 43

Edad: 19 Lugar: Québec, Canada Contraparte: Analy Flores Lugar de trabajo: Centro de Mujer Copáneca

Santa Rosa me ha aprendido a vivir sin expectativas y a apreciar cada momento que la vida nos da. Nada es permanente, excepto el cambio. Nunca olvidaria todo lo que apprendi aqui en Honduras, este permanecerá conmigo para siempre, las personas muy especiales que he conocido, los nuevos aprendizajes y valores que son ahora partes de mí.

Edad: 24 Lugar: Tegucigalpa, Honduras Contraparte: Tara Green Lugar de trabajo: Region de Salud del Occidente

Santa Rosa fue un experiencia diferente a lo que me imagine! En el transcurso de esta segunda etapa conocí a mi hermana Tara que marco mi vida desde el principio sin un final por qué ya es parte de mi vida! Este nunca va ser un adiós es un hasta luego te amo sissy. Pero a la misma vez tuve que decirles adiós a dos personas muy especiales que conocí desde el principio, gracias por estar ahí siempre, aunque la distancia nos separe siempre están y estarán conmigo (Tania y Billie). A Nicole que también me dio la oportunidad de conocerla mejor en esta etapa y darme cuenta la grandiosa amiga y mujer que es, Love You “ Jonas Brother Rules”.Y a mi hermosa mamá que sin ella en esta etapa nunca hubiera sido igual. A Dios por darme fuerzas cada día. A cada una de las cipotas que ya son parte de mi familia y cada una lleva una gran parte de mi corazón. A Julieta, a Eliana, Analy, Grecita y Erica las quiero mucho.Y a las canadienses también gracias por cada momento que vivimos, reímos, y cada uno de los momentos difíciles salimos adelante y es una amistad que perdurara por siempre: Ginebra, Sarah P., Sarah V, Gen, Lauren “I Love You Girls”. Una etapa más concluida en nuestras vidas, con un experiencia significativa de crecimiento personal que influirá en nuestras vidas por siempre! Felicidades por llegar al final y éxitos en su futuro. 45

Since arriving in Honduras my outlook on life changed a lot. I have learned to appreciate the smallest things that we take for granted in Canada, like hot showers, being able to flush toilet paper down the toilet, and feeling safe while walking the streets after dark. My eyes are now open to the realities of the world. Back in Canada we are so blessed with all the things our government has to offer. Like free health care, social assistance, foster care, and so much more. I had an opportunity to visit a family of nine who live in extreme poverty. Though they don't have a lot to live off you can still see the joy and love in their eyes. I also visited an orphanage for babies and toddlers, all they wanted to do was be held and feel loved. It was so touching, and brought me to tears later when I reflected on my day spent there. I am very grateful for this opportunity Canada world youth gave me, and I will go back to Canada more educated, stronger, and I will go back to Canada with a greater appreciation for my country. For each new morning with it's light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything thy goodness sends. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Edad: 21 Lugar: Nunavut, Canada Contraparte: Ximena Valladares Lugar de trabajo: ASONOG 46

Nisha Mehta & Heidy Ramirez “Nuestra recompensa se encuentra en el esfuerzo y no en el resultado. Un esfuerzo total es una victoria completa”“Our reward is in the effort, not outcome. A total effort is full victory” -Mahatma Gandhi

Seamos Agradecidos Quien no se siente agradecido por las cosas buenas que tiene, tampoco se sentirá satisfecho con las cosas que desearía tener. El que no aprende el idioma de la gratitud no podrá dialogar con la felicidad. La felicidad empieza cuando uno deja de lamentarse por los problemas que no tiene. El Dr. Alexander Whyte, de Edimburgo, era famoso por sus oraciones en el pulpito. Siempre encontraba algo por lo cual agradecer a Dios, aun en la épocas más difíciles. Un día tormentoso, un feligrés se puso a pensar: “No creo que el pastor tenga nada que agradecer a Dios en un día como este”. Pero Whyte empezó su oración de la siguiente manera: Te damos gracias, Señor, que no todos los días son como éste”. Las bendiciones más hermosas son las que se obtienen con oración y se lucen con gratitud. Imagina que sólo contarás con este momento presente. Muy pocas son aburridas en sí mismas. Somos nosotros que, con el correr de los años, dejamos de apreciarlas como se debe. El que está agradecido por lo poco, disfruta lo mucho. La mejor evidencia de que clase de persona es nuestra capacidad para expresar gratitud. Anónimo. 48

Mid-Project Camp

D铆a Internacional de la Eliminaci贸n de la Violencia contra la Mujer

Garbage Pick up

Orphanages

Peace Walk

Volunteering at the Market

Lugares de trabajo en Santa Rosa

Centro de la Mujer Copeneca

Palacio Municipal

FOROSIDA

ASONOG

Centro de Salud Vicente Fernรกndez

ADELSAR

ETAOO Centro de Salud Pineda Escalante

Lugares de trabajo en Hamilton

Welcome Inn Center

SISO

Inmigrant Women Centre

SASHA

Hamilton Urban Core

Aboriginal Health Centre 59

Conclusión Con este libro estamos aquí de nuevo compartiendo con ustedes las experiencias e historias de las mujeres que hemos ido conociendo a lo largo del camino, en la segunda parte de nuestro viaje de Canadá-Hamilton. Las mujeres que han cambiado en sus comunidades y han dejado un cambio notable en nuestros corazones y en nuestras mentes. A medida que usted vaya leyendo este libro usted entenderá la importancia de hacer cambios en sus propias comunidades, pero a una escala mayor, esperamos que se hará más consciente de la importancia de la inequidad de género, el cual tiene un efecto profundo sobre la mujeres tanto en sí mismas como en su salud mental. El documento de este libro y la recopilación de las historias sin duda han impactado de tal manera que las personas miren de otra manera el mundo. Para terminar, nos gustaría dar un enorme gracias a nuestros centros de trabajo y la gente que trabaja allí que nos han dado orientación tanto, el apoyo y el tiempo. En diversas maneras ustedes nos enseñaron muchas habilidades y nos ha dado experiencias que nunca habríamos tenido sin su participación. A nuestras familias, decimos gracias por su amor incondicional y apoyo-no sólo para abrir sus hogares para nosotros, pero sus corazones también. Ustedes han sido un apoyo tremendo para nosotros. Decimos adiós a los últimos seis meses, despidiéndonos de nuestras familias hospedantes y nuestros lugares de trabajo, de igual manera las personas que nos han dado su amistad y apoyo en los últimos seis meses en las nuevas circunstancias y nuevos retos.

Este programa ha sido un gran reto, pero nos ha abierto a una realidad totalmente nueva y ha contribuido a un cambio en la forma de ver el mundo. circunstancias y nuevos retos. Este programa ha sido un gran reto, pero nos ha abierto a una realidad totalmente nueva y ha contribuido a un cambio en la forma de ver el mundo. ¡Gracias a nuestros lugares de trabajo, las familias hospedantes y amigos. Pero sobre todo, gracias a todas las mujeres que han contribuido con sus historias para esta colección y su tiempo. En conclusión, como William Arthur Ward escribió una vez, ¨ La enseñanza es algo más que impartir conocimientos, es inspirar el cambio. El aprendizaje es más de absorción de los hechos, es la comprensión. ¨ Espero que podamos seguir creciendo y siendo ciudadanos comprometidos, ya que tenemos la capacidad para cambiar el mundo, aprendiendo siempre y contribuyendo a nuestro propio crecimiento y desarrollo personal.

Conclusion So here you have it, with this book we are here, once again, sharing with you the experiences and stories of the women we have met along the way, in part two of our Canada-Hamilton journey. These women have changed their communities and left a remarkable change in our hearts and in our minds.

As we leave you for the last time we hope that in reading this book you will understand the importance of enacting change not only in your own communities but on a larger scale as well. We hope that you will become more aware of how gender inequity has a profound effect on womenÂ´s health globally. The writing of this book and the collecting of these stories have certainly impacted the way we see the world and we hope it does the same for you. In closing, we would like to give a tremendous thank you to our work placements and the people who work there who have given us so much guidance, support, and time. In many ways you taught us skills and have given us experiences that we never would have had without your participation. To our families, we say thank you for your unconditional love and support- for not only opening your homes to us, but your hearts as well. You have

been a tremendous comfort to the many of us whom have left our homes and countries behind for the very first time. As we say good bye to the last six months we say goodbye to more than just our families and our workplaces but also to each other- the very same people who have given us friendship and remarkable support over the last six months. This program has been challenging at times but has opened us up to a whole new reality and has contributed to a change in the way we see the world. Thank you to our work placements, families, and friends. But most of all, thank you to all of the women who have contributed their stories to this collection and their time. In conclusion, as William Arthur Ward once wrote, Â¨Teaching is more than imparting knowledge, it is inspiring change. Learning is more than absorbing facts, it is understanding.Â¨ My hope is that we continue to grow and remain engaged citizens who have the capacity to change the world while always learning and contributing to our own growth and development.

You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be! There is inside you all of the potential to be whatever you want to be, all of the energy to do whatever you want to do. Imagine yourself as you would like to be, doing what you want to do, and each day, take one step towards your dream. And though at times it may seem too difficult to continue, hold on to your dream. One morning you will awake to find that you are the person you dreamed of, doing what you wanted to do, simply because you had the courage to believe in your potential and to hold on to your dream. ~ Donna Levine ~ 64

“Un hasta luego cambia nada, un adiós lo cambia todo.”