26 abril 2012

Mila, “Luz, if you are going to cancel the program, you need to make sure that everyone knows it wasn’t you taking the program away. That it was the Municipality that was at fault.”

Me, “Seriously? But, everyone knows what happened with the Municipality backing out on their commitment.”

Mila, “Right now they do, but after you go… in time, with talk, reality changes.”

I have been too much of a coward to work on the project in Madrigal.

Being there, knowing I have failed these kids, their hands reaching up to me to pick them up tortures me.

I have escaped to the comfort of my friends during the days in a neighboring town helping with projects here. Keeping myself busy and distracted with other work.

I told the women of the Madrigal community that it is in their hands now, I will be back on the project soon, but I need to see that the community is stepping up to the corruption without me, I can’t do it on my own.

This morning I got an ecstatic call from my host mother, “They said they want to do the program and they want to talk to you!!!”

Her voice so joyous, as if we won.  “Mamai, they are lying to make you think that they are going to do what it takes to make the program continue. Did they tell you they would pay their 30%? Did you see a contract?”

Silence

“Tell you what, I will call the mayor right now to set up a meeting to receive the contract.”

“yeah!” then I hear here cover up the phone and ask her husband, “Juan, did they say they would pay?”

Silence

I call the mayor’s cell phone to set up a meeting.

He doesn’t answer.

 I leave a message, “Good morning, Mr. Mayor. I wanted to set up a meeting with you and my bosses to discuss the VALE program options. They will be in the canyon the 22^nd or 23^rd of May. Please call me as soon as possible so that we can coordinate.”