Workshops in the Field

January has marked the month that we have started workshops in the field with the people the organization is working for. The development of the workshops is being led by my co-worker from Canada, Nick, who has a degree in developmental studies and skills aimed at more of the “softer / social” side of the work that I’m doing down here. A man, Waldo, has been hired to lead the workshops due to his language strengths: he is fluent in both Spanish and Quechwa, a local language of the Andes… and most often the language of the poorest people of this area.

The rural office I’m working out of has around 80 “community groups”. When they are initially formed, each group is led through workshops to increase capacity with their business, accounting, etc. skills. From them on, they are expected to be self-managed, developing further skills along the way.

The workshops that are going on this month bring a few people from each group together, to exchange experiences, learn from each other on what has worked or hasn’t worked for them, and to troubleshoot problems together. Overall, it has been fascinating, and truly enriching to watch someone from one community discuss a problem they’ve been having with someone from another community that has had success in that area.

One “break-out” group, discussing issues:


A few other “break-out” groups using pictures to illustrate where they feel they’ve benefited from their involvement with the organization I’m working with:



On average, there are around 8 different groups / communities represented at each workshop. The groups attending each workshop have been arranged based on proximity to each other. That being said, in the workshop attended this week in a rural area I visited a few months ago, some of the women walked 25km to be there (in their big skirts and sandals no less!... in the middle of the rainy season!). It is no wonder the plates of food for lunch are heaped about twice as high as I would be able to eat!

Lunch time:

Even though they are all there participating in the workshop, their “regular” work does not end. At any time looking around the room, you’ll see at least a quarter of the women at any one time crocheting, knitting, or sewing something.

And, there is no such things as daycare. As the women go about their work, they carry their youngest off-spring on their backs. If the child has an older sibling of about 4 years, once they are able to walk, that sibling is then responsible for them while their mother is away. Otherwise, they are a shadow behind their mother, the workshops being no different.

There is no such thing as a “snuggly” here. All babies, until they can walk, are slug from their mother’s shoulders as seen here:


These kids (tag-alongs at the workshop with their mother) were fascinated with my camera, and loved seeing themselves after we took some pictures:


The cloaks on these two kids, from what I could understand, were donated by a family in Orlando (their mother had a shawl with the words: “With love, from Orlando” embroidered on it. Unfortunately, the cost of the shawl in the USA and the cost to ship it down would have probably bought 10 equivalent shawls here.):


I love getting out into the field and seeing first hand the results of the work going on. But still, I recognize that my skills are perhaps better put to use in the office, helping the people working directly for the organization with their skills, so that they might be able to better help the people like those attending this workshop. However, all work requires understanding of the final outcome. And, being able to participate and see these workshops first hand gives me not only understanding, but also more motivation...