education removes fear

first off, yes, the introduction made me want to burn my passport in hopes of not being identified with the Americans she was talking about. but thankfully Elvia's humble insistence that I hear her story made me realize that I can't always be embarrassed for what our country has done, but instead need to be an ambassador for the country I am a part of (perhaps one where Jesus really is president? eh? eh?)

Sometimes I forget that education is not just this systematic lofty thing to help people read and become "college ready" whatever the hell that means anyway.... but it is the practical means of passing on generational knowledge which helps us learn from other peoples mistakes and successes. I just kept imagining how different, less scary, Elvia's life would have been if she would have had that basic education. Like- sex leads to babies and girls have periods. And then I think of the freedom that comes with choice and how it not only empowers individuals but lets them plan and save instead of living moment by moment and crisis by crisis. If you know how babies are made, you can choose not to have one until you have saved some money to fed it. Then when only some people have the education they become the power-holders and can keep everyone in the cycle of reactionary living.

This is similar to what happens in uganda as well. I think more people have the very basic education but they are frustrated trying to gasp the next step. Like- I know how I get pregnant, I know I don't want to, but I have to get married at age 15, what choice do I have. This is why I think we need to educate people from BOTH the powerless and the powerful. it's just tricky because I have no desire to educate the powerful. hmm...

An intro to a New Friend...

So the first few sections:
Ok. So we've been introduced to both the character/person and history of Elvia and that of recent Honduras...
What do we think of Elvia's "forward" and story thus far (especially how she was brought-up, ignorant of her own sexuality and lacking in access to education)?
Where else do we see stories such as hers? (all over the world maybe?...)
From our perspective Elvia's early story is the same story of hundreds of thousands of poor hondurans and central american campesinas and campesinos.
How do we feel about this situation/story? And how should we feel?

And what are your thoughts about the "Introduction"? (doesn't it just make you love the US' past hand in foreign relations even more?!)

We're looking forward to your thoughts.
peace,
~ Paige & Ty