Time to say adios…
November 30, 2011
Claudia Binet

One month ago, I was so excited about the idea of going back to Canada, to the beginning of a new life chapter. Seeing my friends and family, moving into my new apartment and getting a new job seemed exactly like what I wanted to do. I had no idea that I would feel so sad when the last few days came.

The last few weeks have been very busy, and I think that’s what I was missing. I spent most of my time in the communities, talking to participants, distributing savings match, doing literacy evaluations and sharing delicious, huge fresh meals with them. And then, one night, I started having regrets. I started regretting all the time that I spent in the office when I could have been in the communities with those amazing women. I feel like I missed out on a few things, and now I really wish I could have stayed a couple more months in Todos Santos.

People in Todos Santos really touched me deeply. The women in the communities inspired me with their hard work, their dedication, their amazing sense of community. Men, women, children and elderly all brought me something special that I can’t describe into words, but that I will never ever forget. I could not have enough fascinating conversations about politics, war, daily life and challenges, Mam culture and so much more. I learned tremendously from them and they really made me want to work harder towards equity and justice.

Also, I recently met a lot of new people that I really got along with and who I will dearly miss. I opened Facebook accounts to a couple of them, I’m just hoping they will use it! This morning I said goodbye to staff, neighbors, friends and the dog I adopted, and I really had to hold back my tears. I might have only shared a few months with them, but they were such rich moments that it felt like I had known them for a much longer period of time.

Todos Santos is probably one of my favorite places on this planet. When people asked me: ‘’So, when are you coming back?’’, my answer was, ‘’Maybe in 10 years, with my future husband and kids, because I would love them to know this special place.’’ And I truly meant it.

This internship has come to an end, and I am so thankful for all the good and bad experiences it brought me and all the lessons I have learned. I don’t think I am a totally changed person, but it definitely opened my eyes to a complex reality and I feel a much stronger urge to help.  To all Mam people of Guatemala and to CAUSE Canada, Chjonte tey!