Dancing with Criancas (children in Portuguese)

Last week I rode my bike out to visit one of women’s groups that is connected with my organization.  I have kind of taken upon myself to work with these women, providing them support and guidance...as well as just hanging out with them. 

When I arrived at the women’s group there were not that many women but there was a bunch of kids there.  When I sat down the leader of the group told me that these kids wanted to be part of the youth group that I also work with and is also connected to the women’s group.  I asked how old the kids were and she said that most were 9 or 10 years old.  I then turned to the kids and told them that they were too young to be part of the youth group but that we could start a children’s group, which they all seemed to like.  There were a lot of smiles. 

When I asked what they wanted to do in their group.  They told me they wanted to start a dance group.  Now I was the one smiling.  They must have known that I LOVE to dance!   We talked and decided that it would be a Mozambican/American dance group.  I would teach them American dances and they would teach me Mozambican dances.  We would also spend a good amount of time doing activities that will build their self confidence and such. 

Spotted in Quelimane

A teenage boy walking down the street blasting “Dreamlover” by Mariah Carey, from back in the day when she was good. 

Not your typical youth group

Besides the work I am doing with my 2 community organizations (which is still moving at a snails pace) I also have the opportunity to take on what is called “secondary projects”.  There are all kinds of things that I could do as secondary projects.  But Peace Corps Mozambique has 2 national secondary projects, JOMA and REDES, that I have decided to become involved in. 

JOMA, is essentially a youth group, comprised of both guys and girls.  It’s goal is to prevent HIV/AIDS and promote gender equality and healthy living.   JOMA groups often discuss issues of gender, sexual health, HIV/AIDS, violence prevention and community development.  Besides discussing these various issues, my JOMA group will also be trained in theatre and hopefully will use their training to promote gender equality and HIV/AIDS education and prevention in the community. 

REDES, is a group for young girls only.  It’s goal to promote the healthy development of young women in Mozambican society.  REDES groups provide a space for young girls to talk with each other about various issues they may be facing such as: sexual health, HIV/AIDS, violence, gender inequality, etc.  My REDES group is also a dance group.  They will teach me Mozambican dances and I will teach them American dances!

Both of my groups are very strong and excited and I look forward to working with them.  My Mozambican counterpart, the Mozambican working directly with me is also very excited and dedicated.  She also works with me at one of my organizations and is a good friend of mine.  She is very knowledgeable in the areas of HIV/AIDS, gender and facilitation. 

Nevertheless if my experience in working with youth has taught me anything… it is that we will all have a fantastic time and probably all grow to be better people!

Spotted in Quelimane

A grown-ass man, probably in his 50s wearing a button down long-sleeve shirt with pictures of Beyonce all over it!  Literally obsessed!

Power to ALL Women Everywhere!

It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me or those of you following this blog, that I have an extremely strong commitment to social justice and human rights and while I don’t advocate for one issue over another, I do have a special connection to issues of gender and inequality. March 8^th 2011 marked the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day.  A day not only to honor women around the world but a day that aims to expose the gross injustices that women and girls, a 100 years later, still experience. 

The truth is, the world over, that the wellbeing of women has greatly improved in the last 100 years.  In today’s world women hold government positions, run businesses, lead communities, participate in revolutions, are seen and heard, control their money, heal the sick, are educated, have professional careers, have reproductive freedom, receive respect from men and wear what they choose.  But while all this is true and important to honor, it is also important to recognize that this is only the case for SOME women, not ALL women. 

These opportunities and countless others must be afforded to all women everywhere.  Not just to women of a certain class, race, religion, nationality or age.  All women, everywhere, must be provided with opportunities and rights and respect.  All women, everywhere must be given full and true equality.  They must be free from oppression and violence, from discrimination and prejudice and from lower expectations and conventional gender norms. 

Inspiring Women!

In honor of International Women’s Day I thought I would share with you some well known women who have and continue to inspire me.  ps there are many women in my own life, that I know personally that serve as inspiration and support for me.  You know who you are and I love ya…

Harriet Tubman aka “Woman called Mosses”:  freed slave, Abolitionist, feminist and bad ass

Harriet Tubman is one of my all time favorite historical figures.  As a young slave in the American South, she detested slavery and all forms of oppression and violence.  She ran away and then once freed, returned to the South numerous times to help other slaves escape North via the underground railroad.  She was famous for saying to the runaways she was helping escape “Just keep going! When they are coming after you…keep going.  When the dogs are chasing you…keep going.  When they are shooting at you….keep going.  Just keep going!”

Eleanor Roosevelt:  civil rights activist, feminist, lesbian?,..oh yeah and First Lady

Eleanor Roosevelt is another one of my favorites.  She elevated the cause of the poor, women, workers, children and Black Americans to a national level.  She was a strong supporter of civil rights and social justice.  She played an active role in the formation of the United Nations and was the architect of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that expresses basic fundamental human rights.  A document that I believe is a guiding light for peace and justice throughout the world.  

 Jane Addams: social worker, social justice activist, pacifist, rabble rouser

Jane Addams is arguably the most famous and influential social worker ever.  Addams started Hull House, in Chicago.  Hull House was the first ever settlement house in the nation, but was soon replicated all over the country.  Addams and the Hull House provided support and counsel to the poor in the community.  Addams also was a huge figure in the peace movement and was active in fighting for woman’s suffrage, civil rights, workers rights and immigrants rights.  It is her practice of social work, both direct service and activism that inspired me to become a social worker and that I hope to use as a social worker myself.