My story

While at the Dreamer Center, we were fortunate to hear the stories of some of those who work closest with the Nuestros Ahijados. Last year, I had hoped to hear about the lives of those who we came to know, as we spent nearly every hour of our 10-day stay with them, but our time in Antigua simply wasn't enough to solidify relationships open enough to hear such personal stories. This year, however, was different. The men at GCP opened themselves up to our service team. The warm embrace that we felt by them is something that I simply can't describe in words. They compromised their privacy and revealed to us, the lives that they lived and led them to where they are today. While their histories are much too personal and detailed to articulate here, I will suffice it to say that hearing the words that they spoke was incredible, moving and sincere. I felt as if I was in listening to audio from a movie, a novel exposing the atrocities of war and poverty. But, I was hearing, listening to, experiencing, the lives of those who granted entry into these difficult memories. Childhoods cut short by life's events; children assuming far too much responsibility for any adult, little own a child of only 8-10 years.

My students were equally moved and I know that the words that they heard from their build leaders and volunteer coordinators changed their lives. I know this, because they've told me. They wrote about it in their journals; how the openness and willingness of these men to divulge their difficult pasts put a face to the project's name. When they hear the words poverty, abandonment and massacre, they will have faces and memories to associate with those words. They have friends who have experienced these lives. No longer are statistics in a book cold and removed; they have seen the effects of war, death, and violence... and have been forever changed because of it.

Now, after we'd heard some of these stories, I wish I would have done my part to contribute to the discussions. My life story is far less graphic or emotional.. however, I've learned in recent days that it is still a story, and one worth telling. I was given an opportunity to speak to women attending the NEW leadership institute this last week. 50 area women commit to a week-long conference where they learn how to engage in activism and politics. I was a panelist for the community activist component; it was an honor to even stand before such women... and I must say that I felt wholly unsuited for the title of "guest panelist." We were instructed to speak about our journey for 10-15 minutes... at which time I spoke of the life that had led me to the place that I currently call the present. I left out few details and tried to be as open and honest as possible. I included stories about Leidy and my recent journey to Guatemala.... ensuring that I was doing my part to use my voice. When I was completed with the tales of coming into community activism, I felt as if I'd spoken too fast and been somewhat disjointed in my discussion.

After the panel, the 5 panelists were split up into smaller groups with participants. As soon as we sat down, I had women telling me that they were inspired by my story. I was taken aback. I had one women come up to me, nearly immediately and tell me her coming out story; that none of her family knew due to fear of them shunning and disowning her. Another women told me that she had begun to cry while I spoke. Again, I was in disbelief. My story had affected others. The things I've done; the things' I've experienced have the ability to impact people; and to positively impact them at that. While we went around and introduced ourselves, one woman quietly stated that she had appreciated my openness and my willingness to divulge personal components of my journey to where I am today. Her statement caught me off guard and it wasn't until everyone had introduced themselves that I decided to follow up with her. I recounted the stories that I had so recently heard from my friends at the Dreamer Center. The lives that these men had been willing to share. The courage that it must have taken to relive those moments in their past for the hope that it would change the way that others viewed the world. I told her that they inspired me, usually a very private person, to tell how I came to be where I am and how I deal with the things that I've seen every day. How I wake up each morning and continue to tackle issues as enormous as inequality and oppression.

That speaking engagement was a full-circle moment. I discovered that I, too, have something to provide those around me with... and that even though it is uncomfortable, and often emotional it is necessary that we each tell our story. This is where I send my thanks to those who so graciously embraced my plea to share their oral history and ultimately inspired me to use my voice as well. This, to me, is what changing the world one person at a time looks like.