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Published: September 28th 2009
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This is a completely unique experience that not many "tourists" get to live. I am very grateful for this opportunity to really make a difference.
Our schedule for my first day was starting early, as always, to avoid some heat. Even though I walked as slow as I could, I was still completely sweaty when arriving at the harbour where we were going to take the boat to the island where we are going to work.
Of course the Colombians, Edel the teacher och co volunteer, Angela a friend and Juana another friend, were late, I should have known better... :o)
They arrived at 7h30 and we sat down in the mini-boat-taxi to wait until it was full. Past 8 something we left for the 15 min journey to Tierrabomba, the island where the project is happening.
Tierra Bomba and the village Bocachica is very poor. It is another world for me. A stupid thing like drinking coke becomes different here. The recycling money for the bottle is the most expensive part of the coke you buy and therefore they distribute small, long, plastic bags that you ppor the coke in and give back the bottle right away. Then
The cooperative
These are most of the women in the cooperative, plus me and Edel. Behind us you can see the house for selling fish and juice that is under construction. you just have to figure out how to work the plastic bag...
Of course there are no real roads, there are dogs and pigs and some cats... and lots of children... running around everywhere.. There are only black inhabitants and many lack the skills of writing and reading. Most families live from fishing and some agruculture, if the weather conditions allow it, which was not the case this year.
Actually, I am working in a small part of a big project, involving women empowerment. The big project also manages a sea aquarium and fish breeding, and placing the fish in a place where the fishermen can catch it.
Eight men started a cooperative together and obtained enough funds to buy a boat together. They leave for fishing 3-4 days at a time (in a very very small boat) and in the meanwhile their wifes stay at home, doing nothing that gives them any income... and chatting and creating intrigues.
In these poor places, it is very common that the man in the house brings in all the money, but usually takes a tour to the pub when having been paid, drinking up a week's worth of money, leaving
nothing to feed the family. Tierra Bomba is no exception in this matter. Therefore the women entered the cooperation and got help to obtain funds for building a small house, and buying an ice machine - giving them the opportunity to commercialize the fish and selling juice - AND being in charge of the money.
Right now is the very beginning of the project and my role is to teach: accounting, what is profit, do we need a reserve, how to price things etc. But before that I need to start with the basics - read and write, at least the numbers.
I also have an antropological role, supposed to carefully be observing the women and make a social network pattern description.
It is a very interesting project, and coming from the country that is supposed to be the most equal in the world, women empowerment is a topic that is very close to my heart.
The people on the island are quite harsh and loud, but at the same time they are very expressive and with big hearts.
I am really looking forward to this job, and if it works out it will really make
a difference - maybe these families don't have to starve during the year...
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