Stories from our May 2008 Delegation

[Michelle Avis]

Hello Everyone,

Myself, my husband and my mother just completed a 2 week delegation with Schools for Chiapas. I maintain a blog and have written about the trip. You can view the first entry from our delegation here: http://www.footstops.com/michellestcyr/blog/4902/
Make sure you scroll forward to see the trip progress. I'm still working on the second week, but should have everything posted by the end of June.... (it's alot of work!!).

Cheers!

Michelle

[Sue Bea]

Hi Michelle.

You have really captured the "feel" and the rhythm of the travel.  In your account, we aren't even out of the Northern zone yet, so there is a lot more to come!  What a great thing.

If anyone out there is thinking of traveling with us and wants to know more, this is an amazingly detailed and well written account.... and a primer on Zapatismo, as well.  We traveled in both the Northern zone (hot zone of Roberto Barrios) and Los Altos (highland zone of Oventic) which is where most of our delegations are based so this account will provide a really good overview of what to expect... especially on those "rustic, camping" trips.

We get a lot of hits on this forum but not too many posts.  I hope reading these accounts will inspire others to write... here or on your own space with a link to us! 

Looking at Michelle's travel log, one realizes that it is a lot of work to put together these accounts but... wow.  This is the kind of thing people are always asking for and what a gift it is to share it with all those who might be wondering what it's like to travel with Schools for Chiapas on a delegation.

Hope to see you soon in Chiapas!

Susan

 

[anarchir]

Hi,
I am new to this web site and forum and thought I should comment.
I am a college student in Wisconsin, USA and I am very interested in the Zapatistas.
An anarchist myself, I have been looking for ways to directly join the revolution
and change the world for the better. In my research it seems that helping out
these people would be a good way to do so. I know what it is like to be a
volunteer or a tourist from my life in the U.S. but I was wondering what you think
about if I were to go to help them directly by living and working there for a while.
My plan so far is roughly as follows:
I book the nearest flight to Mexico City at the beginning of the summer of 2009.
Once in Mexico I take a bus to Chiapas or some other Caracol in the area.
Then I am unsure of the next steps I would take, this is where I definitely need
your advice.
http://www.schoolsforchiapas.org/english/chiapas-travel/travel-faq.html
I am not entirely sure what a "peace observer" is. I get the idea it is someone who
 lives with the Zapatistas or near them and attends any protests they may have?
Would I be able to stay there as a peace observer, and how do I become one?
Or another option is (and this is the preferred one I think) that I go there and
start asking around for work at say the "Junta de Buen Gobierno" or at as a farm
hand . I know a lot about camping, backpacking, etc.
Also I grew up on a farm and was in the Boy Scouts so I know plenty about
agriculture, basic first aid, etc. How likely would it be that I manage to quickly get
a job after arriving and be able to support myself within the community? I can always
pack a tent or something and camp for awhile in a ditch somewhere but I would need
to have some form of income in order to get food.
Would it be a good idea to get there and join a delegation for a week and then just
stay after that week is over?
Thanks for any help in advance.

Anarchir.
emailstephen@rocketmail.com

[Sue Bea]

Hi Anarchir.

If you are unfamiliar with Zapatista's and how to work in Zapatista territory... or if your Spanish is not up to speed, we generally recommend a delegation.  This will provide you an introduction to Zapatismo and perhaps even help you to hone in more specifically on what type of longer term projects you might want to pursue.

That said, everyone is welcome in Zapatista Territory... and participating on a delegation is not a prerequisite. 

In order to qualify to be a peace observer, you would need to be at least 18 years of age, fluent in Spanish and participate in an  training program sponsored by FrayBa.  You would be sited in Zapatista territory where there is some conflict and therefore some need for peace observers.  You would be expected to observe and report back but NOT to undertake any independent action on behalf of the movement.  We recently released a newsletter which contained a general appeal for peace observers and some information on how to qualify.  You may read more by going to: http://www.schoolsforchiapas.org/english/archive/past-newsletters/chiapas-Schools-mexican-human-rights-crisis.html. 

Finally, all work in Zapatista territory is unpaid. This includes all Zapatista positions including all leadership positions and full time promoter positions.  The Zapatistas operate outside of a cash economy and for many people who come on a delegation, this is the single hardest concept around which to wrap your brain.  The Zapatistas will give you a place to stay (to roll out your bedroll or hang a hammock) and (depending on where you stay) may even provide you occasionally with some beans and tortillas, but there is no cash involved.

One local resource you might want to pursue is Andy Kirchmeirer, a professor at Ripon College (in Ripon Wisconsin) who teaches about Chiapas and the Zapatistas and came down on a delegation with us.  His handle on this site is "kirchmeiera" and you can view his profile to see his email address....

Thanks for posting and we hope to hear from you again soon!

Por un  mundo donde quepan todos los mundos,

Susan Beattie, Coordinator
www.schoolsforchiapas.org
Susan@schoolsforchiapas.org