It’s been a while since my last blog, but a bunch has
happened since then. I’ll just make this easy and give it all to you at once: I
finally moved into my own house, which does not have a bathroom; I have
well-functioning health projects; I had a mild eye infection for 2.5 weeks; I
flirted with a bus driver to get a cheaper fare because I was absolutely broke
(this one actually worked 3 times since my last post!); I bathed with the same
bucket I use the bathroom in; I was ignored by numerous high school directors
and staff members because they thought I was Dominican; yup, I’m still being
insulted because of my hair; and I even skinny-dipped for the first time. When
I put it like that, my life seems very adventurous, huh? I guess it is in some
ways. However, once I realize that I’ve already watched every episode of
Scandal that is on my hard drive and that I read the Bible more than people in
jail, I snap back into reality and laying in my bed under my mosquito with
nothing but my thoughts- has become my new pastime. Thanks to living alone
without a ton of distractions, I literally think about everything!
Three nights ago, I reflected on my girl’s empowerment group
(Chicas Brillantes) and my women’s health group, “Hogares Saludables (Healthy
Homes),” and I analyzed what went well and what can be improved. In my opinion,
reflection is something that we should do in all areas of our life so that we
are constantly giving our best efforts and producing the maximum results. I
realized that sometimes I’m excited and proud of the work I’m doing and other
times I hate it because it seems like a complete waste of time. In short, I
train a group of about 30 women to make healthy and informed decisions to
improve the physical, mental, and sexual wellbeing of their families and
communities with the hope of developing them into Health Promoters. It sounds
cool, but in actuality there are days when I dread preparing the sessions.
There have even been times when I tell myself, “This is retarded!... I’m
teaching women how to use less sugar and oil when they don’t even care!... This
project is pointless!” But yesterday when I stretched out on my rock hard bed and
began thinking, something changed…
I realized that by taking away the power of this project, I
diminished the influence of education. When I think about the pregnancy rate in
this country and compare it to the fact that only 2 of the participants have
heard of “Abstinence,” I see that people make decisions based on their knowledge
or lack thereof. Education has the authority to change the livelihood of
someone and it is the bridge between what we know and what we are taught to
believe. Sometimes we take it for granted because for us Americans, it is a
normal part of everyday life. Education has the ability to liberate, empower,
inspire, and transform! Of course I would say that women are naturally greater
and have the capacity to do more than any man in this world, but then you’d get
mad and call me a Feminist. However, I will say this- when you educate a woman,
you educate an entire family! We have the Malala Yousafzai's of Pakistan who are willing to die, the Shabana Basij-Rasikh's of Afghanistan who are praying, and the Djénébou Diallo's of Mali who are fighting for the right
and privilege to education. Yet, here I was, reducing its value to the simplest
form of nothing and forgetting that education may not be the only answer, but
it sure is a solution!
I thought it was important to share this because sometimes
it is easy to forget that not everyone in the world is afforded the same
opportunities as us and although something may seem “retarded,” there is always
room for learning. People want to do and be better, but first it is vital that
we know better! Education is the light to combat what keeps us hidden in the
dark. EDUCATION SAVES!
