witness
HONOR respect 1
LIVING UNBOUND
summer 2015
SUMMER 2015
IN THIS EDITION
3
ON THE COVER
Come listen to an untold story Expand your world by learning about the reality of others.
12 Beautifying a community
Discover how members of the Unbound community are making their world more beautiful. Dumagat tribal elder Remegia in the Philippines makes a splash with children from her community, including her daughter, sponsored youth Marimar (back row, right).
14 A green initiative See what enterprising members of a community in the Philippines are doing to turn a parasitic plant into something both useful and profitable.
16 Mom recycles for a better future Read about a woman in Mexico who, with energy and ingenuity, is helping to support her family by repurposing discarded items.
18 Creating a bridge for expression, connection Find out how Unbound shows respect for the languages and stories of our communities around the world.
Unbound is an international nonprofit founded by lay Catholics grounded in the Gospel call to put the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable first. We build relationships of mutual respect and support that bridge cultural, religious and economic divides. We invite all people of goodwill to join us. We encourage you to share this publication with family and friends. Contact us at (800) 875-6564 or mail@unbound.org if you would like additional copies.
24 Respect for sponsors
Mary Geisz, director of sponsor experience, reflects on the importance Unbound places on nurturing relationships with our sponsors.
CREDITS PRESIDENT/CEO
EDITORS
CONTRIBUTORS
Scott Wasserman
Veronica Batton
Tristan John Cabrera, Philippines
Jordan Kimbrell
Naresli Calito, El Salvador
DIRECTOR OF SPONSOR EXPERIENCE
Loretta Shea Kline
Luis Coc贸n, Guatemala
Mary Geisz
Larry Livingston
Regina Mburu, Kenya
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
DESIGN
Cara VanNice
April Befort-Neumann
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Anne Peetz
Amanda Burian
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LIVING UNBOUND
Alexandra Stonestreet, U.S.
COME LISTEN TO AN
UNTOLD STORY
One of the greatest gifts a person can give another is to listen to their story. For the materially poor, that is a gift rarely received. They are without power or influence, and it’s easy for those outside their world to ignore them. But while one might expect those living in poverty to become embittered by the relentless disregard of others, the overwhelming experience of Unbound has been that when we do seek to listen — to become gentle companions of those who struggle — the response is one of simple gratitude. (continued on next page) 3
3 L I V I NLGI VUI N N BGOUUNNBDO U N D
Bedan, a sponsored child in Kenya, with his schoolmates at recess. His favorite subjects in school are drawing and reading. 4
LIVING UNBOUND
W
hen we open our hearts and minds to the stories of those whose lives are very different from our own, we grow. Our world becomes larger than just what lies within our reach. We begin to understand ourselves, others and our relationship with creation differently. Respect begins with awareness. When we come to know others and begin to understand the integrity of their lives, we discover how admirable they truly are. We at Unbound are privileged to share the stories of those who, because they live in poverty, often lack the means to speak for themselves. Their stories are no less beautiful for having been untold. Stories of honor in the midst of ugliness, and dignity in the face of struggle. They are stories of perseverance, resilience and ingenuity. They are stories of people close to the earth who show us that all things, even those discarded by others, have value. They remind us of the virtues of simple living and the importance of being good stewards of nature’s gifts. The Unbound model of sponsorship invites both sponsors and sponsored friends to learn more about one another’s reality in ways that engender mutual respect. In the midst of that expansion of mind and heart, the world becomes a gentler place and, perhaps, a bit more loving. With this edition of Living Unbound, we invite you into that gentle and loving world. We hope you enjoy it. 5
LIVING UNBOUND
CHERISHING ELDERS Remegia, a tribal leader, and Mary, a sponsored child, are members of the Dumagat community, an indigenous tribe in the Philippines. Reverence for elders is a common value in the countries where Unbound works. As a traditional Filipino gesture of respect, Mary lifts the hand of Remegia to her forehead.
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LIVING UNBOUND
GUIDING THE YOUNG In Kenya, when a young person greets an elder it is customary for the adult to offer a blessing for the child. Daniel, the father of a boy sponsored through Unbound, blesses Melisa, a young girl of the village.
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EMBRACING INNOCENCE Love and patience go a long way to make life better for children with special needs who also live in poverty. In El Salvador, 9-year-old Ezequiel (center) enjoys playing with older brother Eliazar and Paola. Ezequiel and Paola are sponsored through Unbound. 8
LIVING UNBOUND
HOLDING ON TO JOY Dayani is a 15-year-old girl with Down syndrome living in Honduras. While she requires constant attention, her mother, Carmen, says that caring for her daughter brings her joy. Dayani’s sponsorship through Unbound provides much-needed support for the family.
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LIVING UNBOUND
THE FABRIC OF LIFE Bright, intricately woven textiles characterize the traditional dress of the Mayan people of Guatemala. Each color and shape represents an aspect of life or nature. Mayan clothing reflects a deeply rooted sense of connection to the earth.
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LIVING UNBOUND
WORN WITH PRIDE Khaleel, a 10-yearold sponsored boy, proudly models a kurta pajama, a customary outfit worn by men in India consisting of a long tunic and a pair of loose pants. On his head he wears a topi, the Indian variation of the traditional Muslim taqiyah cap.
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LIVING UNBOUND
Sponsored child Everth and his mother, Carmen, participated in a neighborhood clean-up day organized by Unbound staff in Nicaragua. Along with other families they collected materials from the streets for recycling or proper disposal.
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LIVING UNBOUND
Unbound is R E S P E C T
BEAUTIFYING A COM MUNITY
The city of Estelí, Nicaragua, is a troubled one. Many families served by Unbound live in one of its neighborhoods that is unsafe and run-down.
Unbound hosted the event to create a sense of community involvement and to raise awareness about the effects of environmental pollution.
The neighborhood is underdeveloped. Its dirt roads run with raw sewage. A majority of the sponsored children attend a school on the main road in the neighborhood, an area that has a lot of garbage strewn about.
“We have to make a difference, starting in our community, and encourage preserving the environment,” Keily said. “… We have to make a change [because it] is a serious social problem.”
But the community is trying to make small steps forward, and Unbound is helping residents work toward creating a safer and cleaner neighborhood.
During the morning, sponsored friends and families cleaned up the area around the local school, collecting recyclable materials and properly disposing of the trash. In the afternoon, families split into teams and put their creativity into action. They turned recyclable items they collected in the morning into art.
“We tell the families that every time we use our Unbound T-shirt, we have to honor what we represent,” said Keily Rodríguez, social worker for Unbound in Nicaragua. “We have to reflect the brown, blue and green colors in our logo. Those colors represent that we care about our environment.” More than 200 sponsored friends and their families participated in a clean-up day hosted by Unbound.
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One group made a trash can from recycled plastic bottles and placed it near the school. “We contribute and one day we are going to see the change we wish,” Keily said. “That’s a difference.”
LIVING UNBOUND
Unbound is C R E A T I V I T Y
A GREEN INITIATIVE Water hyacinths, a persistent pest, clog waterways, kill fish and rob sunlight from native aquatic plants in lakes all over the world. A community in the Cardona area of the Philippines, just outside Manila, experienced such an infestation. In 2012, when Charito L. and her family joined the Unbound program, her husband wasn't able to continue his job fishing because of the plant. It became increasingly difficult to support their family. "My source of income way back then was selling fishes but, because of the huge number of water hyacinths in the lake, the fishes died out," she said. That same year, staff from the Unbound program in Antipolo met with parents to discuss livelihood programs they would be interested in starting. Charito A. was among the mothers attending the meeting. "I asked them [the staff members], 'Here in our community there are unlimited numbers of water hyacinth floating in the lake, is there any chance that we can use it and generate income from it?'"
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A few days later, the mothers learned that the Philippine government was offering training in making products out of water hyacinths. Fifteen mothers took part in the training and learned how to turn the plant stalks into large sheets that could be used as a leather substitute. Those mothers have grown to a group of more than 50 parents working together to harvest and process the water hyacinths, generating income to support their families. They have found creative ways to use the water hyacinths to make backpacks, purses, shoes, wallets and other items. Delia has been working on the water hyacinth effort since it started and has seen a big difference for the area. "I grew up here in Cardona; that's why I already witness how the water hyacinth grows this big," she said. "It grew even more as time passed by; it almost covered the lake. But because we are now using it and turning it into a product, it's lessened the number in the lake and fishes came back. "Almost all our husbands are fishermen, so it is good that we are helping them by preventing the water hyacinth from piling up."
L I VL II N VG I NU GNUB N OBUONUDN D
Jolly, a member of the fathers group in Unbound’s Cardona program, cuts water hyacinth stalks to be made into sandals and other wearable goods. Once a fisherman, Jolly has found a new source of income in the water hyacinth initiative. 15
LIVING UNBOUND
Unbound is R E S O U R C E F U L
With the help of her son Maricio (left), a sponsored youth, and her brother Abelardo (right), Maria is able to supplement her family’s income with materials she collects for recycling and repair.
MOM RECYCLES FOR A
BETTER FUTURE The old adage, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” rings true for Maria’s family. She and the other six members of her family work hard reclaiming items from the streets of their Mexican neighborhood. “First, I am a mother. This is my first and most important job,” Maria said. “I enjoy doing overtime mother’s work, even if I don’t get paid for it,” she laughed. But in order to pay the bills, Maria has a very different job — she is a pepenadora or one who searches through trash for a living. 16
“I walk the streets and collect cardboard, bottles, cans, old TVs, old furniture, iron, chairs, bicycles and, well, anything that can be fixed or recycled. I take the recyclable stuff to a center, and my husband fixes some of these things and then we sell them.” Maria begins work around 6 at night and is sometimes gone for five hours, working with her husband. She and her husband pick up items every night and sell them on weekends. She estimated that “on average we earn about $7.50 per week by selling the materials.” This certainly wasn’t enough to support her four
LIVING UNBOUND
children and the other family members living with her. Since becoming part of the Unbound family nearly 13 years ago, sponsorship has changed what the family is capable of achieving.
“Sponsorship has given me the opportunity to interact and get to know the people from my community. We have become very united,” she said.
“Without sponsorship I wouldn’t be able to send my kids to school,” she said. “My kids have been sponsored since they were in kindergarten and now, thanks to sponsorship, they are in high school.”
Maria is grateful for her children’s sponsors and the Unbound program.
Education is one of the most important benefits Maria attributes to Unbound. Equally as important is the sense of community that has developed. 17
“Thank you for helping our family. My children are receiving help for their education,” she said. “Thank you, Unbound, for providing a helping hand for the elderly and children of my community. It means a whole lot to us.”
LIVING UNBOUND
Unbound is D I V E R S I T Y
CREATING A BRIDGE FOR
A
translator waits patiently while a little
“Language identifies who we are,” said Luis Cocón,
boy in El Salvador composes his letter
communications liaison for Unbound in Guatemala.
to his sponsor, even though it’s been three hours. The boy wants so much to
“For example, when I say that I am a native Kaqchikel
express his thoughts well and get every word right.
speaker, people understand where I come from, what part of the country I may have been born or live in.
A sponsor of a child in Bolivia learns some phrases
We talk in our native language at home and while
in Quechua, the language of her sponsored friend,
interacting socially with others in our community.
and puts them in her letter to the child. “When Unbound serves the people in their native A staff member in Guatemala provides workshops,
language, it is a way of saying we respect who you are
tutoring and information in Spanish and in the native
and where you come from. It is a way of saying we
language of the community.
are equal and we want you to feel at home with us.”
These are just some of the ways Unbound around
While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala,
the world shows respect for language.
it’s not universally spoken or understood, Luis said.
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Mayan languages
luganda local
Garifuna
GUATEMALA spanish EL SALVADOR Xinca spanish
various indigenous languages
languages
UGANDA
several dozen indigenous languages
english
BOLIVIA Aymara
This is a small sample of the hundreds of languages spoken in regions where Unbound works.
spanish
Quechua
Guarani
english
kiswahili (swahili)
KENYA local languages spoken by tribes
swahili
42
languages spoken by more than tribes
120
TANZANIA english
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LIVING UNBOUND
EXPRESSION, CONNECTION Luis estimated that at least a dozen languages are
PRESERVING LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
spoken by Unbound staff members in Guatemala. In Bolivia, Spanish is the dominant language with “People feel comfortable when speaking in their
about three-fourths of the people speaking it, said
native language,” Luis said. “They are authentic and
Roxana Paniagua, communications correspondent
are able to express their feelings and are able to tell
in Cochabamba. The other quarter of the population
their personal story with a lot more pride and joy.”
speaks several dozen indigenous languages.
“When Unbound serves the people in their native language, it is a way of saying we respect who you are and where you come from.”
“Staffers mostly speak Spanish because the people we serve are bilingual,” Roxana said. “For example, the child may speak Spanish and also Quechua. But in every project there is at least one native speaker, and usually the coordinator also speaks the native language.” It’s easier for people to tell their stories in their native (continued)
english
hindi english MADAGASCAR
malagasy
French various dialects
Telugu
INDIA various local languages and dialects
Tamil 19
LIVING UNBOUND
PHILIPPINES
tagalog
(filipino)
185 local
languages
english
language. And storytelling is essential in Unbound
based on tribes because we all have our second
— from oral storytelling to stories told through the
names, depending on the tribe we are from,” she said.
written word, music, dance and the visual arts.
LEARNING TO CONNECT Language is an important part of cultural identity and expression, Roxana emphasized.
Marius Wanjiku, coordinator of Unbound’s program in Meru, Kenya, said that while most families in the
“The world has followed the tendencies of globalization,”
regions she serves understand Swahili, not all can
she said. “English and Spanish are also following the
speak the language, particularly the elderly.
globalization trends. So, preserving our culture and our language is important because this is what we
“We [the staff] learn a lot of their language,” she
have to say to the world, who we are and where we
said. “The stories from them, when they are speaking
come from.”
about their life experiences … go more in-depth in their language.”
When people share in another’s culture and language, their connections deepen.
Swahili is also the primary language in Tanzania, where local dialects and English are also spoken.
“It is beautiful when I see a sponsor try to learn a language like Quechua or a staffer trying to learn
“We have more than 120 tribes in our country, each
Aymara because he wants to provide better attention
with its vernacular language,” said Aika Temu,
to the child or aging,” Roxana said.
correspondence staffer in Unbound’s Dar es Salaam program. “Dar es Salaam being a commercial/trade
In Kenya, Kiswahili (Swahili) is the national language,
city, it accommodates most of these tribes and some
though English is mandatory in all Kenyan schools
are among the people we serve.
and children start learning it in nursery school, said Regina Mburu, communications liaison for Unbound in
“Since independence, the government introduced
Africa. There are 42 tribes spread across the country,
Swahili as the official language. The decision to use
each with distinct aspects of language and culture.
it as a medium of instruction in primary school, and English as a medium of instruction from high school,
“In households you will find that people communicate
helped a lot in its spread and being mastered by many.
in three languages: Kiswahili, English and their mother
Also, it helped people to have a common language of
tongue,” Regina said.
communication wherever they went.”
Tribal clashes in recent years prompted the
In Uganda, about a half dozen languages plus English
government to ban local languages in schools so
are spoken in areas served by the Kampala program.
students wouldn’t be identified with their tribes, Regina said.
“The people we serve have different cultures, and each of them can express themselves in their
“This has not really helped in alleviating discrimination 20
language to bring the point home,” Coordinator
LIVING UNBOUND
Teddy Naluwu said. “It’s essential for us who serve
their letters into English, said Liva Rajaonarisina,
the families to be conversant in their languages and
coordinator of Unbound’s Antsirabe program.
culture so as to serve them to the fullest.”
Children in grades 10 and up write in English.
On the island of Madagascar, Malagasy is the national
Vinod K. Dass, coordinator of Unbound’s program
language. Malagasy is rhythmic, with long names and
in Delhi, India, said younger children, or parents
complex spellings.
writing for very young children, enjoy more freedom of expression when writing to their sponsors in their
Children in grades one through nine write their
first language. (continued)
sponsors in Malagasy and the staff translates
Lizbeth, a sponsored youth in El Salvador, concentrates on a letter she is writing to her sponsor in Delaware. The letter will be translated locally from Spanish to English before it’s sent.
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LIVING UNBOUND
Most letters from sponsored children and elders require translation before they can be sent to sponsors, but dedicated staff are always ready to help with this never-ending task.
“If you ask them to write in their own language, they
“Most of our sponsored are very proficient in
keep on writing so many things,” he said.
English and write beautiful letters to sponsors. However, when letters are translated into English,
BUILDING THE BRIDGE
the essence gets slightly distorted.”
Relationships are formed between sponsors and their
Although it can be challenging, Unbound translators
sponsored friends through letters. Many of these
are committed to making sure the spirit of the letters
connections would not happen without the dedicated
is preserved.
translators who work hard to shepherd messages across language barriers.
The complex task of connecting across languages is illustrated in the Philippines, where Tagalog (Filipino)
Sarita Mendanha, coordinator in Hyderabad, India,
is the national language but is among 185 languages
noted the difficulty conveying the fullness of thoughts
or dialects spoken, said Tristan John Cabrera,
and emotions expressed in one language in another.
communications liaison for Unbound in the Philippines.
Finding just the right words to bridge the divide is a complicated task.
In Quezon, the staff listens and tries to learn some of the dialect of families to better understand their
“Indian languages are very expressive, elaborate and
personalities, said Marivic Ihap, coordinator.
intense,” Sarita said.
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LIVING UNBOUND
“Language plays an important role in building
that they express themselves well and freely,”
relationships. It’s where relationships begin,” she said.
Coordinator Gari Olavario said.
Three languages are most prominent among families
Older students are encouraged to write in English as
in the Zamboanga program in the southern Philippines.
preparation for being global conversationalists.
“We usually use the common language, the one used and understood by all,” Coordinator Rhodora “Alan” Partosa said. “For instance, not all Visayan can speak Chavacano but they can comprehend. Tausugs also understand Chavacano and Visayan. In big groups, we have to agree what is the common language
“It is important to respect the language diversity, ... It is one way of valuing the rich culture of the
among the three.” When speaking one-on-one, however, “it is best to use the language that the family uses,” she said.
people of every region.”
The main languages in the Manila program are Tagalog
For children, elders and family members writing in
and English, though other dialects are common.
their own languages, translators serve as the bridge between them and their sponsors.
“It is important to respect the language diversity,” Coordinator Risa Vereña said. “It is one way of
Efraín Martínez, who supervises translators in El
valuing the rich culture of the people of every region.
Salvador, said translators visit communities to stay
Though we have a lot of dialects, what is important
in touch with local realities. In rural areas, children
also is communicating in the common language that
often don’t have the resources to learn and express
everybody understands.”
themselves the way they deserve, he said. They sometimes have to write their letters on top of a big
In the Antipolo program, communication in local
rock, on a wooden bench or on their legs.
languages is encouraged so as “not to stifle creativity, the thinking, imagination and inner powers of the
Translators witness these realities and it changes them.
families we serve,” Coordinator Malou Navio said. “These on-the-spot experiences have improved the way Families in the Legazpi program speak Bicol, the local
the translators do their work,” Efraín said. “Now they
dialect, in addition to Tagalog and English.
are fully aware that they are not just translating words. Instead they are translating feelings and emotions.
“It is in their own language that they can be easily identified and it is also through their own language
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“There is a life behind each line.”
LIVING UNBOUND
respect for sponsors By Mary Geisz Director of Sponsor Experience
R
espectful relationships are central to Unbound’s mission. While many organizations have myriad core values that express the beliefs or principles that guide their daily decisions, Unbound has four. "Respectful relationships" is one of them.
How that gets reflected in our day-to-day work matters. Whether it’s the personal approach we take on the phone, the practices we have in place to keep sponsor information safe, or the diligence we apply in getting the most of each dollar to the families we serve, we aim to have a positive impact in fostering relationships of mutual respect between you and your
Mary Geisz, Unbound director of sponsor experience, met sponsored youth Richard on a recent trip to the Philippines. Here he is holding a letter to his sponsor, who lives in Ohio.
sponsored friend. This is central to Unbound’s mission. Regardless of where you might encounter Unbound, we strive to deliver an experience that embodies respect. More important than hearing the words “we respect you” is the impression we leave when you speak with us by phone, read correspondence from us, visit our website, manage your account online, engage with us on social media, travel with us to visit your sponsored friend, or even visit our Kansas City office. We view ourselves as walking with you on the sponsorship journey. Our goal is that you'll think of your Unbound sponsorship experience as priceless and share it with friends and colleagues. We always welcome your feedback. Thank you for joining the Unbound community and making a difference in the life of someone in need.
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LIVING UNBOUND
LEAVE A LIGHTER FOOTPRINT Many communities served by Unbound are close to the earth and dependent on the natural world in ways that many of us have lost touch with. We can grow in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and become better stewards of creation by making simple changes that can add up to a big impact. Here are eight ways we can be more environmentally friendly.
OPEN WINDOWS
COMPOST
Open-air homes and gathering places are the norm in the developing world, but we have become so accustomed to temperature-controlled environments that we forget how wonderful our homes feel and smell when we let fresh air in. Turn off the AC and open the windows. Take a vacation from recycled air and breathe in the real thing.
An average American household can reduce garbage by up to 30 percent by setting aside fruit and vegetable waste and other organic materials like coffee grounds and egg shells to make compost. Homemade compost is a great, cost-effective and natural way to add nutrients to gardens.
MULCH
MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANING SOLUTIONS
When you mow this summer, set your mower blade to mulch the grass clippings and then leave them to provide natural nutrients for a healthier lawn. In the fall, do the same with the leaves on the ground. (These materials, when mulched, are also good to add to a compost bin.) You’ll save time and effort without the hassle of raking and bagging. 25
Common ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice can be the basis for highly effective and environmentally friendly household cleaners. There are a variety of recipes available on the web. Natural solutions like these also help us be mindful of those who lack the resources to buy chemically based cleaning products.
LIVING UNBOUND
UNPLUG
USE A RAIN BARREL
Even when they’re turned off, electrical items still use electricity when they’re plugged in. Get in the habit of unplugging phone chargers, hair dryers and other small appliances that don’t need a constant flow of juice. It won’t take long before it becomes second nature to disconnect these things from the wall sockets when you’re finished using them.
Millions of people around the world still labor to collect their daily water supply. They remind us that water is a precious gift and not to be wasted. By connecting a rain barrel to a downspout on your home you can collect rainwater to use for gardening and other outdoor purposes while saving on your monthly water bill.
PLAN DAILY ERRANDS
BUY LOCAL
Before you head out to the store, run to Even in the era of the big chain the bank or take the kids to ball practice, store, most communities still sit down and make a plan. Map out your have local retailers. Think first errands to minimize driving. Think about about patronizing merchants in other things you’ll need over the coming your area. Besides being good days, like hardware and groceries, and for the environment because of work those into your route. You can reduced travel, it helps build both save time and gas and come to better community and the local economy. appreciate what life is like for people This is especially true of farmers who live without access to motorized markets, where you get the added transportation. benefits of freshness and flavor. 26 LIVING UNBOUND
FIND SPONSORS. EARN POINTS. BE REWARDED.
Earn points for finding sponsors or raising money for Unbound. You can use the points you earn to travel on awareness trips, get Unbound merchandise or to benefit one of our special programs. It’s our way of thanking you for helping us grow the Unbound community. Learn more at Unbound.org/AmbassadorPoints or call (800) 875-6564.
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