Henry Morales, Mike Ramos and Rene Quiñonez

Guatemala, 2007

 

Resistance & Hope: A Partnership Blossoms Across Borders and Barrios

When Nancy Hernandez of the San Francisco-based group HOMEY SF contacted World Bridges last year with the idea of sending 3 HOMEY representatives abroad, we immediately thought of setting up an exchange with a Guatemalan group called HIJOS. Both HOMEY and HIJOS work at the grassroots level, engaging Latino/a youth in community organizing, learning about their cultural roots, and resisting oppression through artistic expression. HOMEY (www.homeysf.org) has recently garnered much media attention and a prestigious Agape Peace Award for its innovative work in preventing violence and offering alternatives to street life. Its staff is made up of former and would-be gang members, talented artists, entrepreneurs and activists who grew up in the SF Mission district.

We thought that the members of HIJOS—young people whose relatives are known as the “desaparecidos” because they were “disappeared” under horrific military and police repression—would benefit from learning about HOMEY’s model of organizing and micro-enterprise, while the HOMEY folks would gain new insight from HIJOS into the global nature of poverty, oppression and militarization.  There was risk involved in setting up this exchange. HIJOS members are understandably skeptical of “student exchange” groups coming from the North to peer into their difficult lives. Moreover, HIJOS warned the HOMEY visitors that they would be targeted by police in Guatemala City if they showed tattoos or had long hair. The HOMEY delegates had both! Nevertheless, in October, after months of preparation, World Bridges workshops, and fundraising, Henry Morales, Rene Quiñonez and Mike Ramos of HOMEY traveled to Guatemala. Following are some of their post-trip reflections which shed light on how powerful this journey was for them.

“Guatemaya. A country of many extremes and contradictions. Home of two Nobel Peace Prize winners, yet the majority of its people are illiterate. Tremendous natural resources, yet the poorest country in Central America. A people who have a long history of tragedy yet who find joy and happiness in their ability to resist and persevere. They have succeeded in preserving a love, a culture and a humanity in the face of so much loss and destruction. The experience will undeniably change who I am, will forever be a part of me. Guatemaya, Land of Resistance and home of hope.” –Rene Quiñonez

“My experience was mind blowing and life changing. The experience and training that World Bridges gave us before our trip prepared us for the cultural shock and understanding of the conditions we were arriving to.  Seeing the social hardships that the people in Guatemala went through everyday was eye opening.  Living it was a huge learning piece. I’d like to thank the World Bridges program for understanding the people and showing us love and support. I’d love to stay involved and be a part of World Bridges in the future.” -Henry Morales

“When I filled out the application for World Bridges, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. When I got to know the WB staff and the other participants, I knew it was the beginning of something that would have an effect on my life forever. The experience in Guatemala was more than words can explain. The people we met there were some of the nicest and most dedicated people I have ever met in my life. I’ll definitely be going back some time in the future.” –Mike Ramos

Now back home, Rene, Mike and Henry have quickly become immersed again in their daily work and struggles to bring justice to their community. They have expressed interest in having World Bridges create and lead global education workshops for the high school classes that HOMEY teaches in San Francisco. We are excited to explore this idea further, and to continue strengthening the partnership with HIJOS. Nancy says she already has several HOMEY members in mind for 2008!