POST SCRIPT PROJECT

P.S. REFLECTIONS

Coco The Transformer

by Jim Coe

We arrived in Xela in a familiar fashion, stretching as we unpacked ourselves from the van after the long drive up through the Western Highlands. While we lingered around the entrance of the COFA center, waiting for our rooms to be assigned, the energy of our team was mixed. There was the noticeable travel weary look on all our faces and a desire to settle in somewhere after a couple days of traveling.

Our team in many ways was a team of strangers. We were composed of college and high school students, as well as career adults. Many of us hadn't met before. Dinner together brought conversation and laughter. The excitement rose as we began to get to know each other, but tomorrow was the first day of work and our beds awaited us. A night mixed with rest and anxiety was in front of us. We found our beds and entered the night. Morning brought a new energy and we were ready to get dirty. Breakfast was energetic and quick. We were ready to go! The ride to the village of Espunpuja was polarized. Some of the riders were full of chatter while others silent in thought and observation. The land was unfolding in front of us and we found our way out of the city.

My partners in our project were Coco, a student from The University of Virginia and Ruben, the young and strong son of our hosts Lupe and Ben. We gathered our supplies, looked over our plans and started working.

Now, I had built stoves last summer so I was careful to give Coco the opportunity to have her own transformational experience. I intentionally stepped back from the process when I could in order to let Coco take the lead.

"Machismo told these girls (quite against their traditional Mayan culture) that they had no value and their role in society was reduced to general labor. By doing skilled work, Coco was going against those imposed values placed on Mayan women and these girls were being transformed just by watching."

As Coco mixed concrete, laid bricks and checked the level of the stove, there were a few girls – daughters who lived in this house we worked at – watching curiously. Machismo told these girls (quite against their traditional Mayan culture) that they had no value and their role in society was reduced to general labor. By doing skilled work, Coco was going against those imposed values placed on Mayan women and these girls were being transformed just by watching. I know this is true because of a powerful moment during our second day of work.

Coco was mixing more cement as the girls looked on from the wall of the house. Coco waved over the oldest one, a high school aged girl named Victorina. She was reluctant at first. Her head was lowered and her arms were folded in front of her, but Coco managed to coax Victorina away from the wall. She began to mix the concrete as Coco looked on with a smile. This was a triumphant moment.

"This is transformation. This is why we build stoves."

This is transformation. This is why we build stoves. After some careful reflection, I realized that I went back to Guatemala a second time not because I wanted to feel good about the work I was doing, but because the work needed to be done. More moments like the one between Coco and Victorina need to happen. They are vital to the future of a people - of all people.

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