December 2011 Chiapas trip

Every December I lead a small group in Chiapas. Linda and I went about 5 days early so we could have a meeting with Carmen and I could make sure the trip arrangements were in place.

The group this year consisted of our own Mujeres' director Mary Norton, Pat Gritman, Sandy and Jim Reed, Yvonne Starkey, Zanna Brock and Susanne McCoy, as well as Linda and me. As usual we were there during the annual Guadalupana festival when the Virgin of Guadalupe is honored. The roads are full of people running with torches to honor her, parades of floats and dancers appear regularly, and churches decorate accordingly. The photo here is of the Iglesia de la Virgin de Guadalupe in San Cristóbal de las Casas.

We attended the women´s bi-monthly workshop and were invited to stay for their annual Christmas posada and piñata celebration. Both Mary and Sandy had their turn at whacking the piñata. The following week we had the opportunity to visit our Saturday Children´s Program in Zinacantan as well as have a meal at the house of two of our scholarship recipients.



The week was filled with activities including sightseeing at La Cascada de Chiflon and the ruins of Toniná, hearing talks by Frayba organization, Sergio Castro, Chip Morris (expert on weaving and fashion in Chiapas, author of Living Maya) and Miguel at the Museum of Medicina Maya. Excursions were made to the towns of Chamula, Zinacantan, San Andrés Larraínzar, and Magdalenas. Everyone enjoyed the shopping at the indigenous market and the great food of the region.

As Board Chair of Mujeres, which is a huge privilege and gift, I want to wish all our supporters a heartwarming holiday season. Thank you for all you do to help the wonderful women and girls of the cooperative to have access to education. As we enter our 7th year, we are seeing amazing results.

With gratitude,

Judith