May 25, 2007
Grameen Bank Zinacantan Flower Grower
The proud and successful receipient of a micro-credt loan from the Grameen Bank to grow flowers.
Grameen Bank Zinacantan Green House
We enter the flower green house of a Grameen Bank micro- credit loan receipient.
Zinacantan Shrine
It is common to find shrines in homes and businesses. This one is in the house of the weavers.
Tortillas
We are offered home made tortillas cooked over an open flame and beans.....delicious.
Grameen Bank Zinacantan Embroiderers
Women who embroider also receive Grameen Bank micro-credit loans.
Our LES girls love the children!
Grameen Bank Zinacantan
In Zinacantan, we are visiting weavers who receive micro-credit loans from the Grameen Trust of Chiapas. Our work will culminate in the creation of a promotional documentary for the Grameen Bank.
The Director, Marcela Gamboa de Alba accompanies us.
Somos Hermanas!!!! Opening
The photography show was very well attended. It was an exciting event for all of us! We thank all of the girl photographers who have contributed to this exhibition. More of their work can be seen on this blog by clicking on CLUB BALAM IN CHIAPAS which appears under the heading, WHAT WE'RE DOING.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
A ribbon cutting ceremony opens the show and the girls pour in!
This is a Mexican tradition.
The show consists of photos and writings of the LES Girls Club in New York and Club Balam, here in Mexico.
Club Balam Families
Club Balam girls with their families attended the photography opening.
We were very happy to meet them.
LES Girls Club meets Club Balam
LES Girls Club meets Club Balam, our sister program here in San Cristobal.
Our photography show, SOMOS HERMANAS!!! opened at Na Bolom May 19th.
Blogging From Chiapas
The girls upload photos and blog every day. Enjoy their posts!
Na Bolom Garden Walk
The gardens are beautiful in Na Bolom, a museum and a guest house, in San Cristobal de las Casas, where we are staying.
Chamulan Crosses
We walked up to the huge Chamulam Crosses and enjoyed the running sheep.
The Kitchen
These girls don't miss a thing! Here they are documenting the weavers' kitchen.
Weavers of Tenejapa
The media has descended! Everyone has a camera!
The girls are documenting a weavers' collective in a home in Tenejapa.
The women use back strap looms.
Tenejapa Mural
The Girls Club has arrived, all 10 of us! Here we are in Tenejapa, Mexico in front of a favorite mural.
May 24, 2007
Micheleluce-Chiapas-Catedral
This is the beatiful cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas. After a long busy day, it is relaxing to sit in the Plaza while marimba bands play traditional Chiapas "chasons"
Luna- Chiapas
We went to a nursery today. Linda fell in love and didn't want to leave. This particular nursery caters to the children of the Mayans who got displaced for political, economical, and religious reasons. All these people have to work hard to get out of poverty, and they needed a safe haven to leave their children. So cute!!
May 23, 2007
Micheleluce-Chiapas-Ojos Inocentes
I took this picture thinking about the inoncence and purity of this child. Since my arrival to Chiapas, I have not stopped looking at every children I encounter and who does not have the priviledges young children have in the United States.
Here is a picture of Pablito, a two year old, whose mother is an artisan in Amatenango.
The artisans of Amatenango, Chiapas, have also asked for micro-credit loans at the Grameen Bank. Here two artisan women are listening to a Grameen Bank community representative who talks about interest rates and loyalty of payment.
Micheleluce-Grameen Bank- Chiapas
This is a picture at the Grameen Bank branch in Teopisca, Chiapas. The Grameen Bank has been around in Mexico for quite a long time. Here, people come from neighbooring communities to apply to get the micro-credit loans.
The people of Teopisca expressed how beneficial the Grameen loans have been to their local businesses. If the loan is approved, the local artisans are able to invest in prime materials that they use to make their arts and crafts which they later sale in local markets. However, not only the Grameen Bank loan helps improve their businesses, but also time and effort that the artisan itself makes to sell its product.
We were explained that in case of problems with repaying or knowing how to invest in the loan, the Grameen Bank also provides workshops that guide people to a better economic future.
The Grameen Bank in Mexico already operates in several states including: Chiapas with 16 of 20 branches in the nation, Aguascalientes, and Tabasco. It has also been planned to expand to others states of Mexico and in the future operate in the entire nation.
Linda-Zinacantan
THIS IS MS FUZZY PANTS!
We saw this dog in Zinacantan and immediatly after taking this picture i got very emotional. I wanted to take her home. It's very sad seeing all the stray dogs around the streets of Chiapas. They have no one to care for them, feed them or even show them love.
I try to do whatever i can like bringing cookies, tortillas and water to the dogs outside of Na Bolom.
If i had the chance, i'd take them all home with me.
Renée-Comitán
So, today I went to Comitán de Domínguez, Chiapas, Mexico. It was very, very, VERY HOT! We went on more site visits with the Grameen Trust Bank. We visited a resturant, a pottery artisan, and a pottery maker compound.
The ladies at the compound were a little startled when we showed. When we started taking pictures, they started to cover their faces. It was very interesting. The pottery was fabulous. I bought a few pieces because they were so well-made. I hope their business continues to flourish.
Luna- Chiapas
This picture was taken yesterday at a field where this woman grows flowers to sell. She was given a loan by the Grameen bank and she has made a good business out of it. She was so proud when she was talking about her flowers.
I loved Zinacantan, the town we went to. One of the representatives from Grameen bank, Maricela, took us around showing us the type of work they make loans to. She is fantastic, I love her.
Tomorrow is another big day, sheesh, I need a nap.
May 22, 2007
Renée-Zinacantan
Today I was in Zinacantan. I went on site visits with Grameen Trust. Grameen Trust is a microcreditor that was started in Bangladesh. It was founded to slowly rid the World of poverty by supplying loans to people, (MOSTLY WOMEN, YEA!!) to start their own businesses. I think that is totally awsome. The site visits were very interesting. We visited two weaving and embroidery compounds and several gardens.
The thing that stuck out the most to me was the amount of stray dogs in Chiapas. At one of the compounds, there were three little dogs. One of them Linda named Mrs. Fuzzy Pants. They were they cutest lttle things! I started to feel kind of strange. I've never actually cared about a stray but for some reason, I wanted to help the poor little guys. They just touched my heart. I think I will have to adopt a puppy now. Besides the fact that they are SOOO CUTE, its just that I will feel a lot better and a lot less helpless when it comes to saving a life and providing a better one. I guess thats just me.
May 21, 2007
Miriam- Chiapas
I took this photo outside the cathedral in Chamula. Lou takes photos of the kids in Chamula and then brings them copies of the photos. As soon as the kids see Lou word spreads around town and she is immediately surrounded by a swarm of children. It was amazing to watch this process. The kids all know her name even though she only comes down to Chiapas a few times per year. They were so excited to get portraits of themselves and take new photos.
It struck me how big of a deal of it was for these kids to have a photo of themself. Nowadays photography is so accessible for many people due to digital cameras and cell phone cameras; we are saturated with images. The overwhelming enthusiasm of the children in Chamula reaffirmed the power and magic of photography, the importance of documentation, and the value of The Girls Club's work with photography and youth both in Mexico and New York City.
Micheleluce- CHIAPAS
San Juan Chamula, México. Today, the LES Girls Club visited San Juan Chamula -a little village located outside of San Cristóbal de las Casas. In this village, children start working at a young age to bring some money to help feed their families and to buy school supplies.
As soon as we stepped out of "The Combi" (mini-van) several children rushed to us to sell us everything from candy, gum and bracelets. "Comprame una pulsera": "buy a bracelet from me" all of them said. I felt extremely moved by them.
When you find yourself surrounded by little children trying to desperatetly sell you things, you appreciate how lucky you are for what you have and all the opportunities you are exposed to.
Here is a photo of Andrés, one of the many children working on the streets of San Juan Chamula.
Luna- Chiapas
Yesterday we went to Chamula. We went to a church that doesn't allow us to take photos, for religious reasons. I'm glad, photography would have driven me crazy, would have overwhelmed me. I was already overwhelmed, I couldn't stop crying, it was beautiful. There is no way I could explain what it was. There were grasses all over and walls lined with saints in glass cases. People were strewn about improvising their prayers, chanting. Incense filled the air. I could not stop crying, I wanted to wail but I still felt too self conscious. We are going back next week. Linda and I are going to improvise our own service, we need cleansing. I think I need to wail, let all my emotions out, feel free.
This picture is after, we weren't really supposed to take pictures of people, but I saw a whole mob of men in costume and I couldn't help myself.
Renée-Chiapas
This is my first time in Chiapas, Mexico. I am having a GREAT time! On Sunday, I got to travel to Chamula. I had my expectations but, Chamula exceeded them all. I loved the church San Juan Chamula. I grew up a Baptist Christian, so going to a Catholic church, in another country was pretty powerful. It reminded me of how the people in my church are dedicated to serving God. I can really respect that.
The first people we met when we step out of the Cambies (its a van), were the girls from Chamula. They were asking for pictures from Lou. Thats how we are allowed to take their pictures. We either pay them or do a trade. It was awsome.
The picture I chose, I took in Chamula of one of the girls after I told them that we would be back next week with more pictures. Her response reminds me of the type I would've given at that age. She cracked me up! She made my day! I will never forget her.
Chelsea- Chiapas
This is our sixth day in Chiapas, and everyone is having a wonderful time. I have met so many interesting people, but am most amazed by all of the children we have met. In this photo, I am walking with a girl from Chamula who had approached us while we were visiting the church. All the people in the church seemed so curious about us; it was strange to have so much attention focused on us. The girls were trying to cover up the parts of our bodies that were exposed with the pine needles that covered the floor. The girl I am with in the photograph made me a braided bracelet, also from the pine needles. The children here are so curious, outgoing, and independent at such a young age. It is very different from the way we treat children in the United States.
Linda-Chiapas
We finally met the girls from Club Balam! They were very sweet and fun to be around. We sat in a circle, introduced ourself and said our favorite ice cream. After introductions, we got right to sketching for the banner that was gonna be in our show later on. The girls were laughing and making fun of my horrible drawing of a jaguar. :(
Later on that night we had our gallery opening and Renee and i were showing the girls how to dance to hip hop music.
It was fun and i love the girls. I wanna take them back home to New York
Qushema- Chiapas
When I took this photo I was thinking about how our worlds are so different but still the same. I wanted to take her underneath my wing and teach her everything I know. This picture was taken at Na Bolom at our photography opening. After we finished walking we sat there at the lab top computer looking at photos and translating from english to spanish. I realized that our worlds are the same.
May 18, 2007
Luna Chiapas-5- 18
Today was a laid back kinda day. As you see above, we started on our way to town. (That's a picture of Jenny and Chelsea walking away from Lyn's house). We walked around a bit and went to a cool paper making place, where I met a guy who had been working there for 13 years, since he was 12!
Then we went to town and walked around. We went to the market and bought some things, (a nice pair of pants for me, that I will be giving to my mom). We came back and ate delicious food prepared by Chip's cook. We are going to go to his place later and watch a slide show.
I didn't really take many pictures today. I mostly took pictures of the local graffitti. Apparently, there is an artist here that uses stencils. He reminds me of De La Vega, in New York. Some are political, and some are not understandable by me. I hope I get to see more examples of his work during my stay here.
Tomorrow we will be preparing for our photo opening, which is tomorrow as well. I am excited to meet the Club Balam girls. We will be painting a canvas and putting the photos up. I'm so glad I got to be apart of this project back from the begining, back home and now here in Chiapas. I wish you could all see how fantastic it is going to be!!
May 17, 2007
Luna Chiapas-5-17
Today we went to Tenejapa. It was beautiful!! We took a long and windy road through the clouds. Once we got there, we took photos of murals and a church. This is the first time I have been in a country where I didn't understand the language. It felt very surreal. Very pretty.
After that we went to a cemetary near Chiapas. There were sheep tied up every where. One got loose and ran all over the place. There are huge crosses lined up. Very wierd to know we were walking over the dead. We took many many pictures.
We then came back to Chiapas and had lunch at a place called Casa de Pan. Delicious veggie food.
After a debacle with the downloading, we are done for the day.
May 09, 2007
Miriam- Cascading Leadership
Hello Girls,
My name is Miriam and I am the director of a program for the eldest girls of The Lower Eastside Girls Club. I am very excited to meet you! I have been in Mexico 3 times before but I have yet to visit Chiapas. I have wanted to go to Chiapas for many years and am very happy to finally realize this dream. I am also a photographer like you!! I hope to be able to see some of your photos. We will see each other soon...
Hugs,
Miriam
Hola Chicas,
Me llamo Miriam y soy la directora de un programa para las miembras majores de The Lower Eastside Girls Club. Estoy muy emocionada para conocerlas! He estado en Mexico 3 otras veces pero todavia no conozco Chiapas. Yo he querido venir a Chiapas hace muchos anos y estoy muy contenta para finalmente realizar este sueno! Soy una fotografa tambien como ustedes!! Espero que pueda ver algunas de sus fotos. Nos vemos pronto...
Un abrazo,
Miriam
Renée- Cascading Leadership
Saludos! My name is Renée. I am 21 years old. I am so excited to meet you all. I am part of the Cascading Leadership Program at the L.E.S. Girls Club. This will be my first time traveling to Mexico. I know we will have lots of fun. See you soon.
Saludos! Mi nombre es Renée. Yo tengo 21 años. yo estoy tan excitada a conocerlas a todas. Yo soy parte del programa Cascading Leadership en el L.E.S. Girls Club. Esta va ser mi primera vec vajando a Mexico. Yo se que vamos a gozar mucho. Las veo pronto!!
Qushema- Cascading Leadership
Hi. My name is Qushema. I can’t wait to come down and meet you guys, I so am thrilled. I know this journey is going to be so much fun. I am 24 years old and I am one of the first members of the Girls Club. I have gone down there before in 2003, and I am so glad to meet the new generation of photographers!
Hola. Mi nombre es Qushema. No puedo esperar a ir y a conocerlas. Estoy tan emocionada. Yo se que este viaje va ser tan divertido. Yo tengo 24 años y soy unas de las primeras del Girls Club. Yo he viajado alla antes en el año 2003, y estoy tan feliz a conocerlas!!
May 08, 2007
Linda- Cascading Leadership
Hey!
My name is Linda, and I am 18 years old. I'm a member of The Cascading Leadership program at the L.E.S. Girls Club. I love eating, listening to music and the color pink. I'm excited about coming down to Club Balam to meet everyone. We're going to have lots of fun!
Hola!
Mi nombre es Linda y yo tengo 18 años. Yo soy un miembro de el programa Cascading Leaders en el L.E.S. Girls Club. Me encanta comer, escuchar musica, y el color rosado. Estoy muy excitada de ir a Club Balam a conocerlas a todas. Vamos a divertirnos mucho!!
Luna- Cascading Leader
Hello Ladies!! You may already know me from my work with the girls in the photography class, but I am going to refresh your memory. My name is Packysha, but everyone calls me Luna. It is a name I gave myself because I think it better fits my personality. I am 25 years young and I am one of the oldest and longest running members of the Girls Club. This will be my first time in Mexico and I am so excited to meet you and to see your country! See you soon!!
Hola Muchachas!! Es possible que ustedes ya me conocen de mi trabajo con las niñas de la classe de fotografia pero les voy a resfrescar la memoria. Mi nombre es Packysha pero todos me llaman Luna. Ese es el nombre que yo me di a mi misma porque me queda mas a la personalidad. Yo tengo 25 añitos y soy unas de las majores y mas veija de los miembros del Girls Club. Esta seria mi primera ves en Mexico y estoy muy excitada a conocerlas y su país! Las veo pronto!
Sydney- Girls Club
Dear Juana,
Hi my name is Sydney. I am 11 years old. I live in the East Village. I have a dog named Pelussa. She is 1 year old. I have 1 sister and 1 brother. My sister is 7 years old and my brither is 15. My parennts have a house in PA.
I like o go swimming and ride my bicycle. My favorite color is blue.
Querida Juana,
Hola mi nombre es Sydney. Yo tengo 11 años. Yo vivo en el barrio llamado East Village. Yo tengo una perrita llamada Pelussa. Ella tiene un año. Yo tengo una hermana y un hermano. Mi hermana tiene 7 años y mi hermano tiene 15 años. Mis padres tienen una casa en PA.
A mi me gusta ir nadando y andar en mi bicicleta. Mi color favorito es azul.
Christy- Girls Club
Dear Reyna and Paty,
Hi my name is Christy. I am 11 years old. I go to school in the neighborhood. I love dogs. I have a brother that is 2 years older. He is 14 years old. I love the colors blue and black. I live in New York. I love to draw. I like spring. Do you have a pet? I have a bird.
Queridas Reyna y Paty,
Hola mi nombre es Christy. Yo tengo 11 años. Yo voy a una escuela en el vecindario. Me encantan los perros. Yo tengo un hermano que tiene 2 años mas que mi. El tiene 14 años. Me gustan los colores azuly negro. Yo vivo en Nueva York. Me gusta dibujar. Me gusta la primavera. Tienen ustedes mascotas? Yo tengo un pajaro.
Sierra- Girls Club
Dear Yolanda,
My name is Sierra. My favorite colors are black, gray, gold and pink. My best friends are Nathalie, Teresa and Jordan (that's a girl). I love to dance, sing, and act. When I grow up I want to be a singer.
Adios Yolanda.
Querida Yolanda,
Mi nombre es Sierra. Mi colores favoritos son negro, gris, oro y rosado. Mi mejores amigas son Nathalie, Teresa, y Jordan (es una niña). Me encanta bailar, cantar, y actuar. Cuando yo sea major yo quiero ser cantante.
Adios Yolanda