Dear Friends of Atzin and Tlamacazapa, |
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One thing that we at Atzin have learned over time: the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” story rarely happens. Emerging from the quagmire of poverty, violence and marginalization requires more than personal determination. For children living in difficult circumstances, hard work alone will not overcome the many obstacles to achievement of an education and decent living. We recognize that the building of self-reliance often means sustained effort by an individual combined with a reliance on others at critical points in time. This is a world of mutual interconnections, and our focus is the creation of opportunity – opportunities that will allow the unleashing of potential and the possibility of change. So far in 2021, in addition to a myriad of administrative affairs, the Atzin team focused on these notable opportunities: - Eight days of intensive participatory training about: development milestones for children under six years; better nutrition using the traffic light technique (green, yellow and red foods) and identification of higher nutrient foods; active listening; yoga for children and meditation; making oral rehydration solution at home for early treatment of dehydration, and cost-comparisons with purchased solutions.
- Organizing and restarting the Tihueliske Early Stimulation program for children 2-6 years with registration of 41 children in September 2021, organized in two groups, each for two afternoons per week. Orientation for three new educators and promoters. Incorporation of four small children with special needs.
- Continuation of prenatal clinic and newborn home visits.
- Condolence visits to bereaved families and continuation of registry of deaths with data analysis in process.
- Attention and visits to children and adults with special needs – a very necessary service-oriented program.
- Start-up of a demo garden at the Atzin House in Cuernavaca.
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A tidbit of good news: our recent video, Returning to Strength - the Long Road from Conquest to Discovery Lessons about Development from Tlamacazapa, Mexico, has now been selected for five – repeat, five! - international film festivals: Cannes Indies Cinema Awards; Berlin International Art Film Festival; Boston Independent Film Awards; IndieFEST Film Awards; and, to our great pleasure, Returning to Strength was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Toronto International Women Film Festival. Produced during the covid19 pandemic on a shoestring budget, and allowing us to creatively tell our story (and in the process, serving to release pent-up emotions), Returning to Strength captures our approach to community development and social change - admittedly an uphill labour, one that is faced by everyone, everywhere. |
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On June 15, 2021, the village reeled with acute grief as five young men were assassinated by “narcos”, drug dealers without conscience sending a brutal message of intimidation to innocent people in a battle for control of territory. We work to actively support the widows and eight small children left fatherless - this was new ground for the Atzin team, requiring plenty of footwork, visits and phone calls. Promoters and others organized to put forward long-time colleague, Bertha Garcia Castro, as an independent candidate for the position of village comisario (municipal representative) in the elections held on 30 October 2021. With only three days to prepare, Bertha lost by a narrow margin (less than 30 votes) but made history as the first woman to run for office in Tlamacazapa. In times of covid and violence, in moments of despair and fearfulness, we each can be a beacon of hope, extending ourselves to others in courageous kindness. We stand up and step out into the arena of life, doing our best against tough odds, pressing on with the creation of better times and a return to strength. Please remember that this year, GIVING TUESDAY is on 30 NOVEMBER 2021 – we will send out more information on donations closer to that date. With your generous support, we carry on with the unleashing of people’s potential through the creation of opportunity. |
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Susan Smith
Director, Atzin |
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