LIVING AND SHARING, OUR MISSION
“Meeting the artisans who weave our backpacks: an experience that filled my soul.”
The day finally arrived. February 17th was a day I'd been looking forward to with great excitement. It was a dream come true: getting to know La Guajira, and even better, getting to know the Wayuu communities up close as part of the Sacred Thread school kit distribution mission.
Sun, culture, camaraderie, anticipation, knitting, backpacks, and collaboration would be the perfect description of this adventure that I experienced and that filled my soul completely.
How did it start?
As soon as I arrived in Riohacha, I met up with Monica, my mission partner. We didn't know each other, but we formed a wonderful friendship and a great team. As soon as I arrived, our entire schedule changed, and everything we had planned in Bogotá had to be modified because that weekend there was a national strike, and the kits didn't arrive when we had expected. So we had to improvise and make decisions on the fly. I was a little stressed, but at Hilo Sagrado, I've learned that no matter the difficulties, we're all one team and we work toward the same goal: empowering women and communities.
First approach
The next day, we met with the leaders of each artisan community the foundation works with for an empowerment workshop. I was very excited because this was my first exposure to the Wayuu community. I loved learning about their way of seeing the world, understanding the dynamics of their lives, and realizing that their pace of life is completely different from ours.
During this session, we did a meditation exercise. It was a completely new activity for most of them, and it was very gratifying to see how they became aware of the present and felt the calm that meditation brings. Even though we are from two different cultures and lead different lifestyles, meditation is a practice that benefits us all.
Our mission
The next day was one of the most exciting of the week because I visited one of the communities for the first time. We were in Jaririmana, located very close to Riohacha. I was delighted because the welcome was so warm and friendly. I loved seeing the unity among the women of the community, their desire to learn, to be part of the foundation, and to continue weaving quality backpacks filled with love.
That day, amidst the drifting sand mists that interrupted the quality workshop we were conducting, we managed to raise awareness of the importance for us as the Sacred Thread of promoting education and how it can positively transform communities.
Afterwards, we went to Uyaraipa to share a quality workshop with them. This is a community located in the middle of the desert. It's a beautiful community, full of joy, and an indescribable tranquility. It was wonderful to see the unity among them, their willingness to learn, and for the first time, I felt lost when they spoke in Wayuunaiki, but I understood that a smile is the universal language.
That afternoon, the kits finally arrived. So, we got everything ready and headed out early the next day to Ciruelakat, the largest community the foundation works with. We shared the backpack-quality workshop with them and delivered the kits. It was exciting to be part of the change and gratifying to see how they appreciate and value every contribution we can make. It was also a way to convey that message of empowerment, of the importance and value of each artisan's work. And, above all, to emphasize the importance of education in community development.
The next day was the activity in the community of Los Cabritos. This time, it was the most special community for me, as they welcomed me to stay there. Amalfi, the leader of this community, is the best host I've ever had. She and her family made me feel at home, part of the family. I love the family unity in the communities, the way they gather in their hammocks to share their day. This made me reflect on the importance of this family unity and what we've lost in big cities due to the hustle and bustle.
Here we also distributed school kits, and once again everyone was extremely grateful. We also began sharing a fantastic moringa project, which brought joy to many families, as it will have health and nutritional benefits for the children.
On the last day we got up early to the last community we had left to visit, Urrachikat. They welcomed us again with open arms and showed us their commitment to the foundation. Afterwards, we returned to Jarijirimana and Uyaraipa to deliver the school kits, which filled us with joy to see all these children receiving the kits.
Weaving stories
This experience that Sacred Thread offered me was truly enriching. It's a win-win approach where we realize we all have something to learn from each other. Sacred Thread is a partner for communities so they can achieve their goals and dreams.
