Ecuador: motherhood than half the world

For: Javier Brandoli (text and photos)
Previous Image
Next Image

info heading

info content

The bus took some time climbing the ground. To my right, out the window, see converted into endless slopes industrial cultivation of flowers. The mountains of Ecuador have the beauty of being plains on slope in this part. We stopped at last at first community center. They are waiting for us there to inaugurate an aid program from the Madrid City Council. Conservatory of Flowers is a working in indigenous. Flowers to be sent to the first world correspondence.

A welcome banner greets us. The media political troupe got off the vehicle. Begin the endless speeches begin by thanking those present and coming politician agradeciéndose also conclude, and on behalf of others, he come. Suddenly, appears behind the makeshift stage a young man who displays a painted cloth which calls for an end to labor exploitation. She yells and screams against labor slavery while a few shocked faces and gestures of others have just pushed her speech.

She yells and screams against labor slavery while a few shocked faces and gestures of others have just pushed her speech

The intended effect had already achieved. Amid official visits with other journalists spoke with some women who tell us that the owners of the valley, call of Flowers, They are American and Dutch companies that pay them very low wages for working long hours without the right to rest or complaint. "He who receives compensation complaint to rest for a month will not be hired", tell us. Hunger greatly facilitates labor relations.

From there we left with the feeling that the beautiful Valley of Flowers has something more than that of Eden cemetery. We headed to another attractive project name: motherhood than half the world, in Cayambe. He then wrote in the report that was published in the press: "The name should be there because life split in two '. But, it is because there goes the line of Ecuador.

The center was financed by the Madrid City Council in the year 2000. The work he does is spectacular in an environment where it is not known whether to go dressed in white or black at births, you never know if after the event awaits a christening or a funeral. There was no coverage in this area before the project and die each year about 150 children. I guess medical death certificates were distributed blank book with family and a wooden urn made incubator.

I guess medical death certificates were distributed blank book with family and a wooden urn made incubator

The visit is friendly, filled with expressions of affection and gratitude. Upon arrival, indigenous women's group makes a mad dance in the live roosters waving over our heads. Their eyes are deep, almost cement, and their skins seem carved with ash. They sing and move their bodies with skill and a certain pride, haughty, of who assumes the defeat calmly. We will see the facilities, clean, neat, with the feeling that morning deliveries are no potties would not disturb. The efforts of these people was to show that our money was invested in clean babies with silk chiffon and bleach. Then, thanks cascading vomit and needs.

They prepared to complete a banquet. We offer a meal in which the pate would be done with their own livers if necessary. Chicken, beans and rice. It looks horrible and declined the invitation because I think that food is to them that they need. The guy insists, disgruntled, that as. I do. I understand that an invitation should always accepted. They are nice people, tender, he knows that is played in this visit a generation of unborn children. We're, Motherhood is just half the world nestled amidst beautiful valleys. Minutes later we are making pictures with a globe and a line indicating north and south. We return to the beautiful Quito.

I found that to cooperate in these projects have to pay a fortune to the local chief

The next morning, although the night was long in a bar run by a Basque in destroying just screams Serrat songs and Perales, abroad one marked the kitsch you want with the outpouring of here no one knows you, go to breakfast early. There I meet a woman, I will not say his name, that was the one that brought more money privately projects. Is cultured, more, intelligent and sympathetic. Lee sees bad guy, I sit at your table and tells me point blank. "I want to go". Why?, asked. Doubt, gives many turns and asks me to not have anything in the newspaper (I did, is the time primea, years after, I tell this story). "I found that to cooperate in these projects have to pay a fortune to local cacique". I detailed the community leader in the area, on me the more data, demands a bribe in order to save his. It is abhorrent, I understand your anger, but what do we do with the Indians of the Valley of Flowers and the children and mothers of motherhood than half of the world?

 

  • Share

Comments (3)

  • Rosa

    |

    Two roads come together. Difficult decision. Media reality is never told or known.

    Answer

  • Adalberto Macondo

    |

    That is the stark reality…

    I remember leaning on a community development project, where community leader demanded X amount of money, as I explained the other members (unconvinced) for the good of the community and was always. But, demand when it should show us that we would spend the money, the leader as an authority replied that he did not owe to anyone.

    No doubt these are the dilemmas of the office of cooperating.

    Answer

  • Javier Brandoli

    |

    A harsh reality with a complicated solution, you are right. Thank you and hug

    Answer

Write a comment