Interact Autumn 2007 Contents Editorial 6 3 First Person: Growing Together

interact The magazine of

Seeds of change How agroecology is improving the quality of life in Ecuador

Also in this issue: Say No to Terminator Technology Vocational training in Somaliland Keeping the promise on HIV and AIDS

ISSN 1816-045X Autumn 2007 interact Autumn 2007 Contents editorial 6 3 first person: growing together

Seeds of change 4 news: speaking out on Zimbabwe

I hope you will read this issue of Interact and be 6 agenda: the quality of life inspired. Because I was. By the people of Ecuador who are standing up to the colonisation of their insight: seeds of change country – their natural resources, their culture and traditions – by multinational companies, A better living from the land international institutions and global capital. By the 7 Alternatives for food security in Ecuador 10 Progressio development workers like José Jiménez, Alex Amézquita, Rogasian Massue and Chris Nyamandi, whose commitment to their 10 You are what you eat Changing the way food is produced work – and to the people they work with – shines through in the articles they have written for you voices to read.

Back to their roots But most of all, I hope that what you read here 12 Farmers in Ecuador talk about agroecology will inspire you to action. Because the people throughout the world struggling to take control action of their lives, in the face of the challenges of poverty, need our support. Whether it is practical 14 Say No to Terminator Technology action such as adding your voice to Progressio’s Join Progressio’s seedsaver campaign campaign against Terminator technology, or financial support for the Progressio development viewpoint workers in countries from East Timor to Ecuador, what you do can make – and does make – a real difference. Training for life 15 16 Vocational training in Somaliland

16 Turning experience into knowledge A radio soap opera for young people in Ecuador

19 17 reflection: open eyes, open mind

Cover picture: Nelson Ramon Mamallacta Alvarado, 18 action: keep the promise from Lushian Mariposa in Archidona province in Ecuador, grinding leaves to make a natural insect repellent. Photo: Michelle Lowe 19 reflection: another colonisation

Published October 2007 by Progressio Progressio Ireland Editor Alastair Whitson Unit 3, Canonbury Yard c/o CORI, Bloomfield Avenue Executive Director Christine Allen 190a New North Road, Off Morehampton Road Design Twenty-Five Educational London N1 7BJ Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland Printing APG (ISO 14001 accreditation for tel +44 (0)20 7354 0883 tel +353 (0)1 6144966 international environmental standards). fax +44 (0)20 7359 0017 e-mail [email protected] Printed on REVIVE 100% chlorine free e-mail [email protected] Charity reg. in Ireland no. CHY 14451 recycled paper. website www.progressio.org.uk Company reg. no. 385465 Recycle this magazine!

Progressio is the working name of the Catholic Institute for International Relations Charity reg. in the UK no. 294329 Company reg. no. 2002500 The views and opinions in Interact are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect Progressio policy. first person

Growing together

BEGAN WORKING WITH PROGRESSIO in the and promotion of organic products, and organisations have received international Dominican Republic in January 2005, the awarding of small credits, helps certification for the organic production Isupporting the agroecology work of finance the socio-organisational and on their farms. This has enabled the two partner organisations: JUNACAS environmental work. farmers to increase their incomes, (The Salcedo Committee of Farming All the work includes a focus on particularly through the sale of coffee Associations) and CAFESA (Affiliated gender equality – seeking to revalue the and cocoa with an organic stamp. Farmers of Salcedo). I now also support presence of women farmers and Farmers have also been successful at COOPASOL (The Soliman Agroecological establish equal relationships between targeting niche markets for organic and Production and Multiple Services male and female farmers – and relies on fair trade produce. Cooperative). These organisations are participation. This promotes a critical The future vision of these farmers’ made up of male and female farmers in presence and decision-making within the organisations is to develop distribution the northern mountain range of the organisations, and so aims to ensure that channels for the products that bear their Dominican Republic. the agroecological approach is own agroecological stamp. They hope The mountainous zone has many sustainable beyond the timeframe in also that consumers in Europe, the USA valuable natural resources and is very which Progressio works with the and Japan become aware of products productive in terms of agroforestry. Yet, organisations. which originate from farms which are despite these natural assets, people in As a development worker, I have been ecologically managed by producers the region lack basic services such as directly involved in building the capacity committed to the development and drinking water, electricity, sewerage of the organisations to develop their conservation of the environment. To this systems and transport links. agroecological work. Therefore, the most end, the production of a video about My work with the partner important achievement is the existence JUNACAS is being supported. organisations aims to help improve the of a group of technical promoters, My time here has been a personally quality of life of their members, through formed of men and women who are enriching experience, and I can see that the management of natural resources, responsible for implementing the the seeds of change are beginning to institutional strengthening, organic agroecological practices on members’ spread. My counterparts Eugenio Díaz production and joint marketing of their farms. These practices include: (JUNACAS), José Rosario (CAFESA) and agroforestry products. agroforestry management of coffee and Alejandro Sánchez (COOPASOL) are now Having had previous experience of cacao plantations; the production of recognised agroecology experts and working with different farmers’ vegetables and other short cycle crops, promoters who are starting to act, organisations in Ecuador, my home especially in order to improve the diet of consciously, as change facilitators. That country, I have learnt that the needs of participant families; soil conservation; is, they are working together with people small-scale farmers are similar in different production of organic fertilisers; from rural areas on the management of developing countries, as is the state in environmental assessment and natural resources available to them. They which the natural resources are found. interpretation; reforestation using native are leading and carrying out actions for a The work carried out by JUNACAS, species; ecological management of common interest, in order to achieve CAFESA and COOPASOL is based on household waste; improvement in the community development. three principal components: socio- basic infrastructure for the postharvest of organisational, environmental and coffee and cocoa; and supporting joint José Antonio Jiménez Vélez is a economic. The economic component commercial activity. Progressio development worker in the underpins the others: joint marketing During the last two years, two of the Dominican Republic.

Autumn 2007 interact 3 news

depressing and salutary reminder their homes and jobs, attacks on Zimbabwe: of what happens to opposition the independent media and NGOs, voices. In recent years Archbishop a series of rigged elections, the need to bear witness Ncube had become, in a place torture, kidnappings, murders, and where opposition is not tolerated, ‘urban cleansing’ of the cities to HE RESIGNATION of Pius Ncube, conspicuous as a courageous and divide and destroy the opposition. one of the fiercest critics of effective channel of opposition. He In May Pius said: ‘Five hundred Tthe Zimbabwean was one of the few church leaders people die of AIDS every day, but government, from his position as speaking the truth to those in Mugabe does nothing to improve Archbishop of Bulawayo, came as power. Lately the Zimbabwean health. They are a mafia. A few no surprise, writes Dr Steve Kibble. churches, notably the Catholic people are stinking rich and the The bishop is being sued by a Bishops, have spoken out to majority are below the poverty Bulawayo man, Onesimus denounce the current regime. The line. The people are being fed by Sibanda, for allegedly having a Easter Pastoral letter ‘God Hears the World Food Programme - a two-year adulterous relationship the Cry of the Oppressed’ third of us would be dead if it with Sibanda’s estranged wife compared the plight of wasn’t for the help that we’re Rosemary. Whatever the truth of Zimbabweans to the Jewish slaves getting - but Mugabe is still the allegations, many under the Pharaohs. berating the West. He never looks Zimbabweans agree with the Tributes to Ncube’s role into himself and admits his Southern African Catholic Bishops’ abound. Progressio’s executive mistakes. And the truth is that 99 Conference that, like the director, Christine Allen, said: per cent of what we are suffering apartheid regime in South Africa, ‘Progressio is of course extremely is because of this one man.’ the state is attempting to smear sorry to hear that Archbishop Pius In response to the Zimbabwean prominent church opponents with Ncube has tendered his crisis, the EU’s Council of Foreign sex scandals rather than dealing resignation, but the fact that he Ministers imposed targeted with the massive crises affecting has done so and the way in which sanctions on Zimbabwe including Zimbabwe, which can be laid he did so highlights the honesty an arms embargo and travel ban squarely at its door. and commitment he has always on the elite, and terminated The news has been received, by shown to social justice for political dialogue in 2002. all those who care about the suffering Zimbabweans.’ Similar Progressio commends the suffering of Zimbabweans, as a sentiments came from Bishop principled stand of the prime Crispian Hollis, chair of the minister, Gordon Brown, who said Department for International he will not attend December’s EU- According to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Affairs, Catholic Bishops’ Africa Summit in Lisbon if NGO Forum, over 25,000 cases of human rights Conference of England and Wales, President Mugabe is going to be violations, overwhelmingly committed by state who said: ‘For many years, Pius present. Any invitation to Mr forces, have occurred over the last six years. Ncube has been outstandingly Mugabe or another ZANU-PF Nearly four million Zimbabweans are in need of brave in the way that he has leader on the travel ban list would food aid which the government cannot provide confronted the Mugabe regime in not only undermine the work of and 80 per cent unemployment has driven at Zimbabwe.’ the Zimbabwean church to bring least a quarter of the population abroad. The The ZANU-PF regime’s approach positive change but be a failure of country has one of the highest HIV and AIDS since losing a 2000 referendum solidarity with Pius who spoke out prevalence rates in the world and life expectancy has been a dual strategy of against injustice and deprivation dropped from 61 years in 1990 to 34 years for maintaining power at all costs and with such courage and women and 37 for men in 2006. Zimbabwe’s grabbing Zimbabwe’s resources to compassion. inflation rate is the world’s highest at 7,300 per reward supporters in its cent, with independent Zimbabwean economists patronage. This has meant Dr Steve Kibble is Progressio’s putting it at twice that figure. suborning the judiciary and police advocacy coordinator for Africa, force, driving farmworkers from Middle East and Asia.

Progressio Progressio will be starting a process to appoint a new Chair of its to recruit Board of Trustees early in the new year, as the current chair, Helena Molyneux, will be standing down at the AGM towards the end of 2008. new Chair If any Progressio member wants to know more, or would like to suggest possible candidates, then please contact the executive director, Christine Allen, in confidence. Please write to Christine Allen, Progressio, Unit 3, Canonbury Yard, 190a New North Road, London N1 7BJ, marking the envelope ‘Private and confidential’; or email [email protected]

4 interact Autumn 2007 news

Protecting water, land and seeds in Ecuador

NEW PROGRESSIO PROJECT to Three Progressio development of agricultural production and help poor communities in workers, one based in each seed conservation, says: Athe Ecuadorian highlands organisation, will run practical ‘We hope that the project will to establish fair, sustainable training workshops, carry out increase seedsaving in systems to manage water, land natural resource management communities and promote seed and seeds was launched in activities, and work to enable exchanges between families and August, writes Michelle Lowe. grassroots organisations to communities, and that this will The three year project is being influence policymakers through improve families’ food security, funded by the Big Lottery and will local, national and international contribute to improving and work with three Ecuadorian advocacy. maintaining diversified systems of partner organisations to support Luis Camacho, Progressio food production and allow grassroots and indigenous groups country representative for Ecuador, peasant farming communities to to manage and conserve their said: ‘We are delighted to be value their culture. natural resources. coordinating this project and ‘We also hope the project will The partner organisations are bringing specialists to partner help some small-scale farmers to the Institute of Ecuadorian Studies, organisations here to challenge have a better understanding of the who work on paramo (high inequality and protect the risks of global agriculture and Andean ecosystem) management; environment in these very poor genetically modified crops so that CAMAREN – the national communities. they will take action to protect campaigning body for improving ‘The communities currently have their resources.’ access to water; and CEA – the no opportunities for training and The project, ‘Our land, water Ecuadorian Coordinator for therefore no way of recording and and future: natural resources for Agroecology. building on their knowledge to Ecuadorian communities’, aims to The project will be working improve their practices in the reach over 7,000 disadvantaged with small communities where management of essential resources. people in 37 communities in four people live in difficult conditions They are also marginalised from provinces of the country. All of the with high levels of poverty and government discussion and communities have poverty levels malnutrition. Located at over decision-making and their needs between 64% and 86%. 3000m above sea level, they farm are not supported by legislation.’ small plots of land and now face José Rivadeneira, executive Michelle Lowe is a Progressio increasing problems due to coordinator of one of the partner development worker, working on contamination of irrigation water organisations, CEA, a network advocacy and communications in and soil erosion. that works on sustainable systems Peru and Ecuador. Cusco says no to GM potatoes

HE REGION OF CUSCO in Peru Andean region as a whole, The decree was proposed because has prohibited all varieties of including more than 2,000 of the fear that the genes of GM Tgenetically modified (GM) varieties indigenous to Cusco. potatoes could transfer to native potatoes, as well as all transgenic More than 1.2 million people varieties, altering their unique crops, because of the risk of live in the Cusco region. Many are characteristics, and so affecting genetic and environmental small farmers for whom the subsistence farmers and further contamination, the threat to their potato is the most important crop. impoverishing local economies. millenarian culture, and the danger to people’s health. CEA The decision of the regional government of Cusco, passed at A man holds the regional assembly in June potatoes indigenous to the 2007, aims to protect the genetic Andean region. diversity of thousands of native varieties of potato and other native crops. It prohibits the entrance of transgenic crops to the region as well as the sale, growth and transport of all GM crops. The potato originated in the Peruvian Andes and there are more than 4,000 varieties in the

Autumn 2007 interact 5 agenda

save seeds. This is very exciting for Progressio as, after many years of high- level advocacy, undertaking a major We should be inspired by people’s hope- campaign is something of a first for us. filled responses to the problems they Of course, our direct lobbying and face, writes Christine Allen agenda advocacy will continue, but it is great to have ways to engage our members and supporters – and reach out to new audiences too. If you know people who The quality of life would be interested in the campaign, please tell them! ROGRESSIO’S VISION starts with us yourself or in your own church or The Say No to Terminator Technology striving for ‘a just world where community this advent. campaign is Progressio’s contribution to Ppeople can have life in all its Amidst the darkness of many of the the livesimply challenge. I was struck by fullness’. Life is certainly the theme that issues, there are also many lights of the similarity between the three aims of comes out of this issue of Interact. Life: hope. The development workers, in their livesimply (to live simply, sustainably and the quality of life for the poorest, support and engagement, help local in solidarity) with those of the campaign protecting life amongst the harshest of organisations to respond to issues and to of the Ecuador organisations (see page times, and of course, seeking to cherish take action. On last year’s World Aids 10): to live healthily, securely and with and nurture the natural life of our planet, Day, many of our partners overseas sovereignty. The lessons for us in the rich upon which we all depend. undertook a range of awareness raising North are, of course, different to those I have often heard the phrase, which activities, including with religious leaders. for the people of the Andes, especially comes from John’s gospel, in the context In Yemen, last year, World Aids Day the indigenous, but the underlying of development issues and the activity included work with Imams which purpose is the same. We are all called to importance of an active concern for the resulted in many of them speaking value and care for the lives of one poorest. Those words of Jesus, however, positive messages about the issue, and another and our planet. This means not take on a new depth when we hear the about stigma in particular, in their monopolising or wasting the earth’s experiences and challenges of people mosques. resources. It is a sign of true solidarity who are poor, marginalised and that we can identify with one another’s struggling. What might life in all its Finding alternatives campaigns! fullness mean for the children in Likewise, the hopeful alternatives Seeking to live simply and having a Somaliland? What might it mean for the described in the ‘insight’ section on life in all its fullness sound somewhat peasant farmers who value the natural agroecology show how local people and contradictory, but in fact they both have earth and its bounty? What might it organisations are finding means other a similar root. They each require us to mean for the sex workers that than becoming dependent on reflect on our lives and what is important Christopher Nyamandi worked with as international seed providers or other to us. They ask us to think about the big they struggle for survival amidst violence, external forces. question: do we want to have more or poverty and hypocrisy? These stories Our own ‘Say No to Terminator do we seek to be more? bring home to us that this is not a simple Technology’ campaign is a good way in platitude but is deep and complex and which you can act in solidarity with poor Christine Allen is Progressio’s executive also a challenge to all of us. farmers and help protect their ability to director.

Meeting the challenge HIV and AIDS is one area where the concept of living life in all its fullness is a challenge. There are many people in the

world who are living positively and fully Janice Flower/Progressio with HIV but there are, sadly, still too many who don’t. It is not just a matter of access to treatment, but also the stigma and discrimination attached to being HIV+. Progressio is pleased to be a member of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance – a broad international network of churches and church organisations working on issues of HIV and AIDS and global trade. In working together, we are all stronger and we are pleased to reproduce (see page 18) part of their advent reflections – ‘Advent in a time of AIDS’ – for our reflection. I hope you may consider using the resources Finding solutions: a girl selling tomatoes by the roadside in Zimbabwe.

6 interact Autumn 2007 insight: seeds of change

Talking to people in Ecuador whose livelihoods depend on the land, it’s easy to get depressed about farming and food. You hear the same story over and over again: of loss of native seeds and biodiversity; of poor small- scale farmers losing out to big agro-export companies, being squeezed by supermarkets, and marginalised by globalising markets and A BETTER consumer tastes.

But there is another, more hopeful, story that it takes a while to uncover: a network of small projects that aim to put communities and LIVING farmers in control of agriculture, use sustainable farming practices, conserve native crops and biodiversity, educate consumers, and build real links of solidarity between consumers and producers. FROM

Report by Progressio development worker Michelle Lowe. Michelle works on advocacy and communications in Peru and Ecuador. THE LAND Agroecological markets

EGROW Juliette Mac Aleese/Progressio everything ‘Wagroecologically without using any type of chemical. We’ve been growing like that for six years. I make a better income now than I did when I grew using chemicals.’ So says Rosa Jara, one of a group of organic farmers in the Totoracocha Octavio Cordero parish in market in Azuay province near Cuenca. Cuenca. Rosa gets together with other farmers to sell her produce at supported groups of producers and the producers are gathering specialist agroecological markets to enable them to set up special a band of loyal supporters who – one of several such initiatives agroecological stands in fruit come back every week. Despite being promoted by Progressio’s and vegetable markets in the a growing number of stands partner organisations, the Red city. It has also helped to and increasing amounts of Agroecológica del Austro, a establish a market on Saturday produce, the Saturday morning network of organisations in the mornings, CREA, which sells market is so popular that southern sierra of Ecuador near only agroecological produce. shoppers need to turn up early the city of Cuenca, and CEPCU Previously, small-scale if they want to be there before (the Centre for Pluricultural organic farmers didn’t have things start running out. Studies) in Otavalo in the official market stalls and so In Otavalo, Progressio northern sierra. were forced to sell informally partner organistion CEPCU is Rosa feels the markets have on street corners, making less supporting a similar initiative made a real difference for her money and often being moved for local farmers. After and others in her community: on by the police or local organising a few successful ‘We sell well because people council. Now, three years after markets during the Easter week, come here because they know the establishment of CREA, they established a regular us. They know how we grow and their agroecological produce is Saturday market in March this they know that it is healthier.’ recognised and sought after. year. In Cuenca, the network has The markets are very popular Initially CEPCU paid for

Autumn 2007 interact 7 insight: seeds of change

hiring the location, but now that the producers are earning from the market, they are themselves paying to rent the space. There are about 130 Michelle Lowe/Progressio families from surrounding communities involved, with around 70 coming each week to the market to sell. They have plans to build special stands, improve publicity for the market, and increase the number of producers involved. CEPCU is running training with producers and hoping to expand the market to two days a week in January of next year.

What is agroecology? Food co-ops Agroecology is the practice of agriculture in ecologically sustainable ways. In the foreword to the report Feeding this generation: anastas solidarias are each family were to go out and Agroecological approaches to food production*, another example of a buy the same produce Patrick Mulvany, chair of the UK Food Group, Csmall-scale initiative individually, it would be at describes agroecology as one of ‘two competing that is taking off in Ecuador. least $10 or $12.’ visions of agriculture in the 21st Century’: Literally translated these are The idea is simple but ‘One vision is promoted by those companies ‘solidarity baskets’. Not unlike effective, and very popular. and their researchers and client governments food co-ops in the UK, the idea Katiuska’s canasta started in who stand to gain the most from intensifying is that families group together 2002 with around 25 families efforts to industrialise agriculture, that produces to purchase a basic basket of and in two years it expanded tradeable commodities, and to capture the fruit and vegetables as a group, rapidly to include 600 families markets, ecosystems and services in the global taking advantage of economies from 115 neighbourhoods in South…. of scale to make good healthy the city. ‘The other vision builds on the agriculture food available at reasonable ‘The numbers in our canasta developed, nurtured and managed by farmers prices. (The idea also echoes have now reduced as we are over millennia. This is the agriculture that not the concept – widespread dividing up into other local only feeds people but provides livelihoods, living throughout poor communities canastas. There are now about landscapes and the Earth’s life support systems.’ in Latin America – of 200 families from the south of According to Progressio development worker community kitchens, where Quito involved in our group.’ Juliette Mac Aleese (see box ‘Agroecology is people cook together.) The canasta was set up by good for you’), in the Austro region of Ecuador Many of the projects also local families and is run by agroecology is defined as: ‘An alternative option have an agenda of supporting volunteers who organise the for agrarian development, which is local producers, establishing a buying, bagging and comprehensive and holistic (encompassing direct link with particular distribution of the food baskets. technical, social, environmental, cultural, farmers to cut out middlemen ‘Every two weeks we put political and economic elements) and which and buy directly from the together a basket of produce aims to promote a good quality of life in rural farmers, guaranteeing them a which includes 15 products. areas in conditions of social justice and harmony good income. Some are standard and fixed. with nature.’ Juliette says: ‘This means that it Katiuska Aguilar is part of Others vary with the season goes beyond production without chemicals and the Canasta Solidaria El and the price and in order to tackles varied dimensions including cultural, Carmen which was the first give people variety in their diet spiritual, ecological, social, political, technical canasta solidaria in Quito, the – a whole mix of vegetables and economic aspects.’ capital of Ecuador. She and fruit.’ explains: The canasta is trying to * The research for the report was partly funded ‘The aim is to ensure that create more relationships with by Progressio with funds from the European people have access to the basics farmers and to buy more Commission. The report, published by the UK for a healthy diet at an agroecological produce. Food Group, can be downloaded from the affordable cost. It costs US$6.50 Katiuska explains: ‘We are ‘policy analysis’ section of Progressio’s website, for the basket which should trying to build up alliances www.progressio.org.uk supply the essentials for a between the city and the family of four for a fortnight. If countryside. We complement

8 interact Autumn 2007 insight: seeds of change

Katiuska Aguilar (right) choosing seeds not easy for them to get is becoming increasingly at a seedsaving event. information and be educated popular – some like the Canasta about the issues. We think that El Carmen are grassroots everybody has a right to know initiatives, while others are each other but there is often a though.’ subsidised by local government big gap between us and a lack The canastas in Quito have or non-governmental of communication. In the city formed a network and the idea organisations. we go and buy foreign products without even knowing it, instead of supporting local Agroecology is good for you farmers. It isn’t sustainable. Progressio development worker Juliette Mac Aleese has just completed a nine-month ‘We want to build more research project with Red Agroecológica del Austro, looking at the connections contacts with producers and between agroecology, food and health. She writes: work more on educating ‘My research found that the diet of producers in the Austro region has been consumers about what is improving thanks to agroecology: it is more varied and balanced. Their staple food is healthy food and about still the same (corn, and broad and kidney beans), but the producers now also agroecology compared to consume more vegetables and fruit. They have relatively balanced diets, consuming industrial farming which uses foods of different nutritional categories in each meal. chemicals. It’s all very well to ‘Agroecology has also made an important contribution to food security: as be helping people to provide producers have become more involved in agroecological production, they have been healthy food for their families, buying less food to supplement what they grow; instead they are eating more of their but we don’t want to at the own produce. same time be supporting ‘Agroecology has improved the income of small producers thanks to the direct sale monopolies, GM crops and of produce, from farmers to consumers, avoiding intermediaries. The positive who knows what else. contribution of agroecology to the family economy is demonstrated by the fact that ‘The people involved in the many producers I spoke to had left other economic activities to dedicate themselves canasta are not well off, they solely to farming.’ are vulnerable groups and it is

1,500 varieties of seeds which Seedsaving are being conserved and exchanged. network Javier Carrera, one of the coordinators of the network,

explains the importance of the Michelle Lowe/Progressio NOTHER GLIMMER OF HOPE network for promoting and comes from the Red de valuing the conservation of AGuardianes de Semillas, seeds and traditional a network of seedsavers in agricultural practices: Ecuador. Like Canasta El ‘Even though many Carmen, it was established by a communities have lost the group of volunteers committed practice of saving seeds, the to conserving their rich idea of a seedsaver is a figure biodiversity. with a long history in Andean A seedsaving Since 2002 the network has communities. When we go to there are other more hopeful exchange event organised by Red offered support and communities we quite often visions of the future for de Guardianes opportunities to exchange find that there is a seedsaver. Ecuador’s agricultural producers de Semillas. experience and seeds. It is now Their work is often not valued and environment. The a national network of small- by the rest of the community, alternatives are evident in scale farmers, community but they do it because of their small-scale initiatives like these, organisations (including own commitment. created by groups on the farmers’ groups in Azuay ‘The network aims to bring ground working to protect food which are part of the Red these people together and security and biodiversity. Agroecológica del Austro) and strengthen their work. Often individuals from all over the being part of the network helps interactnow country. seedsavers to be recognised as Turn to page 14 to find out how you too can be a seedsaver The network has 15 seed such by their communities.’ – and support the work of farmers in Ecuador and elsewhere in conserving their livelihoods and environment. centres across the country So, despite the grim picture which collect and distribute of threats to small-scale farmers Further info (in Spanish): www.redagroecologicadelaustro.org seeds and knowledge. They and sustainable food www.redsemillas.org have catalogued more than production in the country,

Autumn 2007 interact 9 insight: seeds of change

country, making people aware of the importance of food security and food sovereignty. They believe that people, especially in the cities, no longer know where their food Juliette Mac Aleese/Progressio comes from. They have become disconnected from the farmers who grow it and the processes used, having no idea whether the produce is genetically modified or produced with pesticides and chemicals. In their slogan, ‘healthily’ refers to the right to health and nutrition (for producers, consumers and the mother earth) and a rejection of agrochemicals, genetically modified crops, and monoculture plantations for export. ‘Securely’ refers to the need to set up fair mechanisms of distribution between the countryside and the city so that YOU ARE everyone in the country has food on their table, and ‘sovereignty’ refers to a commitment to supporting a WHAT type of agricultural production which is sustainable and supports small-scale farmers at the same time as protecting the YOU EAT environment. Organisations in Ecuador are uniting to challenge food José Rivadeneira, executive production that is endangering the environment and poor coordinator of CEA, explains: farmers’ livelihoods, writes Michelle Lowe ‘The campaign is focused on the urban population and aims CUADOR is well known as a consumption patterns in the to raise awareness and promote fertile, biodiverse country country are damaging the attitude change. The idea is to Ewith incredible natural environment, poor farmers’ encourage local initiatives to resources – so you would think livelihoods and the health of promote the sale and purchase there would be an abundance the nation, that they are of agroecological products and of healthy, fresh, natural food getting together to launch a links between the countryside Pictures above, for all. However a group of campaign. and the city. below and right: organisations in the country ‘Eat healthily, securely and ‘It also aims to lobby at the farmers in Azuay are so concerned that food with sovereignty’ is the level of national policy to province, Ecuador. production systems and campaign message for the reduce the use of toxic coalition of organisations chemicals and promote state which include Progressio policies to encourage, support partner organisations CEA, the and strengthen local initiatives. national coordinating body for We want to see policies which agroecology organisations, and favour small-scale farmers, food the Red Agroecológica del security and sustainable Austro, an agroecology network development included in the Juliette Mac Aleese/Progressio in the Austro region. constitution and in political decision-making.’ Changing attitudes The groups involved are Policy change planning an ambitious These campaign issues have campaign which aims to shift seen concerted lobbying work attitudes to food in the in recent years from civil

10 interact Autumn 2007 insight: seeds of change

José Rivadeneira, society groups including new campaign support these executive indigenous groups. In 2006, for peasant farmers but there is a coordinator of example, the Ecuadorian lack of government assistance. CEA. government decided not to José says: sign a free trade agreement ‘The campaign is not just Michelle Lowe/Progressio with the USA after strong about eating healthy produce popular lobbying on a range of or even about eating issues including food Ecuadorian products: it is about sovereignty and the rights of supporting agroecological and small-scale farmers. This new small-scale peasant farming. We campaign aims to keep up the want to really make it clear in momentum and ensure that the campaign that the aim is to the issues have a high priority support this type of agriculture in the new constitution which and a closer relation between is to be drawn up for the consumers and producers – and make more money from country. to promote food security for growing for export, but this The coalition is beginning all.’ system modifies peasant the campaign now with local farming practices and means events across the country to Overcoming threats that people aren’t growing for build support and encourage According to José, the major their own consumption, so local involvement, and in issue for food security in they lose that security. They January 2008 they will launch Ecuador is not about quantity also end up using more the campaign at a national but quality, and is threatened chemicals to grow monoculture level. by pressures to convert to crops and levels of Although the campaign is export agriculture: contamination increase as does primarily targeted at ‘Food security is threatened competition in the area. influencing consumers in cities, by quality issues. We do not ‘These patterns lead to the its real focus is supporting the have a shortage of food but we concentration of ownership small-scale farmers in rural do have problems with people, and control of resources Ecuador. Most agriculture in especially those on the lowest including land and water in the country is still small or incomes, having access to good fewer hands, as companies buy medium scale with farmers quality food. Malnutrition up large areas of land. In terms producing for their family and levels are high in some areas of food security we have to selling the surplus in markets. and we have worryingly high look at the distribution of However, these producers are levels of gastric cancer. We fear income from agriculture as a finding it harder and harder to that may be linked to high key issue.’ survive in an increasingly levels of pesticide use and a There is clearly a long way to globalised world where there lack of control on the usage of go before Ecuador can be are strong pressures to grow for chemicals. converted into a country with export markets, to sell land off ‘Ecuador is seen as an real food sovereignty, where to big agro-export companies, exporter of primary agricultural communities and farmers really and to give up on traditional products. In some areas food have control over their own practices and become security is now threatened resources. José says: dependent on pesticides and because of the expansion of ‘The campaign will be a long fertilisers. Organisations like areas of cultivation for export. term campaign. We want it to CEA and others involved in the In the short term people can be run in a very decentralised way so that local areas can come up with their own campaign plans and we can really create a widespread genuine involvement across the country. There are still many hurdles to overcome but we are Juliette Mac Aleese/Progressio determined to really make it work and to build up momentum, relationships and projects.’

Michelle Lowe is a Progressio development worker, working on advocacy and communications in Ecuador and Peru.

Autumn 2007 interact 11 voices

Magdalena Grefa (in blue Back to shirt, with some of her family) lives in San José in the province of Archidona (in the Napo region of the their roots Amazon jungle)

We grow agroecologically and Agroecology is not a new approach imposed on a we produce yucca, plantain, reluctant population by development organisations palm trees, guava, cocoa, coffee, peanuts, rice. I have and local NGOs. For many people in Ecuador, who about two hectares right in the village and 10 further have been farming without chemicals and in a away. We grow slightly different things in the two plots holistic way for as long as they can remember, it is because the soil in the further plot is more sandy – but it a return to their roots. is more that we grow here the things we want to have ready to hand near the house. Yet responding to the demands of the modern We grow for our own consumption. Very rarely we world is not a simple matter. Some choose to focus take produce into Archidona to the market. on self-sufficiency, while others also grow the non- There are 15 of us in the house including native vegetable crops that the market demands. grandchildren. The majority of the men work away from Whatever the approach, all are insistent that the community. It leaves just the women to do the agriculture is about more than just profit: it is a farming here. It used to be different – a couple used to way of life. farm together. But times have changed and people need cash now to buy things or send the children to school, or Interviews and pictures by Progressio development for medicines. worker Michelle Lowe We save our seeds to resow the next year for everything we grow. We do it so that we don’t have to be buying seeds each year. We have always saved seeds. That is just the way to produce – we have never done it any other way. It is not a new thing for us. A while ago, we did almost change over to different José Campos is president of ways of producing, as people were starting to grow Asociación Bajo Invernadero, entirely yucca in one area, sugar cane in another, peanuts one of the small producer in another – in order to produce more to take into the city groups in Azuay province to sell. But then we sat down and thought about it and asked ourselves why we were losing our traditional way of We grow associatively – farming – our native farms where we mix everything combining corn, kidney together in one plot. So we stopped doing that… beans, pumpkins, and native root crops – growing them together. The majority of us grow crops in this way. Edmira Vangari farms in But we have also started to grow vegetables [to Octavio Cordero in Azuay sell in the markets]. Before, no-one here grew vegetables, province just corn and beans and so on, but now we work year round in vegetables. We have become unused to eating We are noticing big impacts and growing some of our traditional native crops such as from climate change. We senteno wheat, which is native to here but we hardly have one season where it have it now, or barley. But all these things grow really is hugely hot and then one well here. where it is hugely cold and Everything which is from here we save the seeds, but rainy. Now it is really rainy everything which is foreign we cannot save because there but it is supposed to be is no way of doing it – it doesn’t work. summer. It has really changed; it should not be like We have our own native potatoes too. A while ago we this. The sun now really burns. collected 48 varieties of potatoes locally and we were What is happening now is that we are losing our growing them. But we have started to lose them because native seeds and seeds from elsewhere are coming in. there isn’t the demand in the markets. People are used to They [the seed companies] come saying they are great a different type of potato now and so we only really grow seeds, but they are not our own. They are not from here. three or four varieties. If people don’t want to eat things, It is great for them [the seed companies] because they it is a waste of time. You are wasting your work – that is can sell, sell, sell and we have to buy again and again. the problem. This is our problem.

12 interact Autumn 2007 viewpoint

José Nacipucha farms with his wife, Edmira Vangari, in Octavio Cordero

Everything we grow is pure organic. No chemicals. We sell the products twice a week at the market. We have stands as Narcisa Sinchi also farms in agroecological producers – there are 280 of us, 150 of us Octavio Cordero from this province. Of course we produce for our own consumption too. I grow broccoli, cauliflower, beetroot, From this land we eat and we sell as well. Most of what lettuce, carrots, cabbage, onions: a little bit of everything. we eat, we eat from here. We have been growing organically for years and years. We used to buy everything from the city – everything. We grow for our own food and for the market – the corn We used to buy chemicals but now we use things we on the cob and the beans when they are ripe – just a few have produced – garlic, rue, nettle, verbena, and other and the rest we keep for us to eat – because otherwise local herbs. It takes us time – it’s not like just going to buy we’d have to go out and buy it in the market! a chemical product from the shop. That may be easier but The grain seeds come from our own harvests. Every year it’s bad for your health, and costly. On the other hand we sow from the seeds from our own harvest. They are what we produce here is good for us: it is natural. native seeds from here – we have always saved the seeds. But because we are selling in the market, we can’t use just native seeds. We have to use hybrid seeds because we have to provide what people want now. They want new produce – like the different types of lettuce they can buy in Supermaxi [the supermarket]. It would be great to be able to save and exchange seeds to avoid buying these types of seed – otherwise we are just supporting the big companies.

Nelson Ramon Mamallacta Alvarado is from Lushian Mariposa in Archidona province

We farm without using chemicals – agroecologically. We grow food plants and we also hunt and fish. We also grow lots of traditional medicinal and sacred plants. We don’t have to go to the chemists to buy vitamins or drugs. On our farm we plant within the secondary forest and we maintain primary forest too where the animals can live. We don’t plant in tidy rows. Instead we spread different plants out so that they complement and protect each other and so that if a disease strikes a particular plant in one area it does not kill all the examples of that plant that you have. We grow to sustain our families, not for the market. We are not trying to commercialise our produce and we don’t want to cut down more trees to grow more. We grow a wide variety of crops. But we have lost many varieties. We used to have many more varieties of rice, for example, but now people think it is too much effort to grow it and just go to the supermarket to buy it. People go and buy soya imported from North America and in our schools they feed our children a ‘modern diet’ that they can buy in the supermarket, and the children learn that that is the way to get your food. We try to save all the seeds we can and to promote others doing the same. Many indigenous communities have lost their seeds and their traditional practices. It is a hugely important issue. We have to save seeds – it is not just about agriculture, it is about culture and our ancestral practices. We, my family and my community, are protecting our food security and saving our seeds but others are losing it entirely and have become dependent on buying food and buying seeds. I feel it is another incursion into our lands and our lives, like the petrol and government projects. It is all about big companies trying to make money, not about improving the quality of our lives. But it isn’t that we are poor either – we are rich in natural resources and nature, we just have to recover our farming practices.

Autumn 2007 interact 13 action SAY ‘NO’ TO TERMINATOR TECHNOLOGY

What are Suicide Seeds? What are Zombie seeds and how are technology and whether the ban will be ‘Suicide Seeds’ is another name for they different to Terminator seeds? upheld. Biotechnology companies and Terminator technology – plants that have Zombie crops are genetically modified to certain governments want the ban to be been genetically modified to produce produce sterile seeds, but these seeds lifted. Progressio and like-minded sterile seeds. Terminator seeds present a can be brought back to life if treated organisations are trying to prevent this real threat to the livelihoods of the 1.4 with a special chemical. Farmers would from happening. The Progressio billion farmers around the world who therefore have to pay, not for new seeds, campaign is part of the livesimply depend on their ability to save seeds for but to make the ones they saved viable. project, which calls on people in the rich their food security. Zombie seeds, just like Terminator, would North to examine our lifestyles and take create a new perpetual monopoly for the action to stand in solidarity with the Who is developing Terminator seeds seed industry. struggles of poor people around the and how do they justify it? world. We are asking people to mobilise Multinational seed companies are What will happen if the ban is lifted? and act in solidarity with poor farmers to developing Terminator seeds (despite a Terminator technology presents both an fight against Terminator seeds. current UN ban – which the companies economic and environmental threat to are working to overturn – on their further people all over the world. If companies What can you do? development and sale). They claim that were to be given permission to field test Use the form provided in the seed this technology is necessary to prevent or market Terminator seeds, the packet enclosed with this Interact to contamination of normal or organic crops economic independence of farmers write to your local MP asking for the by genetically modified (GM) crops. would be threatened, as would global ban on Terminator technology to be food security in general. Cross- upheld. Why are they dangerous? contamination and market demand for Like any other GM genes, Terminator these seeds would slowly push Join our campaign! genes could spread to other crops by indigenous non-GM seeds out of the • Visit www.seedsaver.org.uk to find all cross-fertilisation and by accidental market. We would become dependent the different ways you can make a mixing. So the Terminator genes could on a few select varieties of seeds and difference for poor farmers all over contaminate non-GM crops, meaning farmers already living in poverty would the world. farmers who are not themselves buying be forced to contribute to the large • Get your friends, neighbours, parish or using Terminator seeds can find their profits of biotechnology companies. or workplace involved with the own crops producing sterile seeds. This campaign. At www.seedsaver.org.uk could result in significant yield losses and What is happening now? you can order a campaign action pack potentially destroy farmers’ livelihoods. In 2008 the Convention on Biological with further advice and resources. According to the UN Food and Diversity will meet again in Bonn, • Visit www.livesimply.org.uk – make or Agriculture Organisation, 1.4 billion small- Germany to discuss Terminator sign a promise to stand in solidarity scale farmers in developing countries with poor farmers all over the world, depend on the seeds they save and and promote Progressio’s campaign. exchange with neighbours as their major source of seeds. Terminator technology will increasingly force poor farmers to buy new seeds from seed corporations, boosting seed company profits, but spreading poverty and hunger.

14 interact Autumn 2007 viewpoint

Two boys in Somaliland have seen their lives move in a Training positive direction after completing a vocational training course, writes Progressio development worker Rogasian Massue for life

OVERTY is the main factor Meanwhile, they have already denying children access to utilised their plumbing skills, as their Peducation in Berbera, the aunt explains: ‘One day I linked them main port town in Somaliland. So with a professional plumber to assist says the aunt and carer of two 16- him in some work here in the village, year-old boys, Muuse Ali Elmi and and the feedback from the plumber was Abdikarin Adan Ahmed, who have that these boys have good skills as far as just completed a nine-month plumbing is concerned – but they are vocational training course with very young to manage heavy work.’ A Progressio partner organistion GAVO further problem is that they have no (the General Assistance and Volunteer Rogasian Massue/Progressiotools. Their aunt says: ‘I have a plan to Organisation). buy these boys plumbing tools one day.’ The vocational training programme targets young people aged 15-25 from Life skills Abdikarin (left/above) and Muuse outside the poor communities and families. The aim The boys themselves are thankful for the small shop owned and run by their aunt. is to teach them skills which will help support they have received from GAVO, them secure self-employment or The boys came to Berbera to quench but they add: ‘We have gained plumbing employment in the private sector in their thirst for education, but soon skills but we have no tools, and so we Somaliland. Since it was set up in 2001, encountered an ironic obstacle: they did look for support one day to go back to the programme has benefited more than not know how to read and write, one of our plumbing work.’ 500 young people. the criteria for being accepted on the The challenge ahead for GAVO – and Muuse and Abdikarin are just two of GAVO vocational training programme. other institutions involved in youth 150 young people – 60% of whom are Recognising the high rate of illiteracy in training – is to focus beyond the girls – who successfully completed the the country, GAVO responded by provision of skills to consider providing GAVO training course in September establishing a literacy and language basic working tools to trainees, and 2007. The programme conducts programme targeting children and providing some ‘seed capital’ (grants or vocational courses for five different adults, of which Muuse and Abdikarin loans) which would help them start small trades: for Muuse and Abdikarin, their were beneficiaries. Having learned to businesses. The economy of Somaliland choice was plumbing. read and write Somali language, and is still very much under reconstruction gained some basic skills in the English and opportunities for paid employment Thirst for education language, Muuse and Abdikarin qualified in the nascent manufacturing and Muuse and Abdikarin come from rural to join the plumbing course in January construction industries are still limited. areas in a district called Hagal in the Sahil 2007. Nevertheless, the training has given region of Somaliland. They left their Muuse and Abdikarin belief in village for Berbera in 2002, having had Seizing an opportunity themselves, and some hope for the no formal schooling. They told me: ‘Our Now they are back in their village, cared future. It has given them not just parents’ priority was never education for for by their aunt who runs a small shop vocational skills but also life skills: for us… As children we found ourselves with which she supports the family. They example, they have gained an awareness engaging in looking after goats and have decided to return to formal of HIV and AIDS and the routes of HIV sheep near our homesteads.’ This education, and with the help of GAVO’s infection. They describe GAVO as ‘an experience is typical of many vulnerable vocational training manager, Abdiqan organisation that helps children in difficult young people in rural Somaliland. In Mahmed, they have been offered free situations’, and conclude: ‘A lot of young Somali culture, children under seven are education at the local school. They people need the same help we got here.’ responsible for young livestock grazing explain: ‘We thought of getting around the house, while those between knowledge on such subjects as Rogasian Massue is a youth HIV and the ages of seven and ten are sent out to mathematics and science while AIDS advisor with GAVO. Interviews look after the adult livestock, leaving in increasing our knowledge in Arabic and were conducted with the assistance of the morning and coming home in the English languages. We missed this Abdiqan Mahmed, GAVO’s vocational evening. opportunity in our childhood.’ training manager.

Autumn 2007 interact 15 viewpoint

The focus group at a school in Jipijapa.

young people in the Talofito group the necessary tools to tackle the problems which the young people see as key in their lives. Alexander Amézquita/Progressio PCI–Media Impact has been developing edu-entertainment methodologies for more than 20 years. Recently they have been promoting the ‘My Community’ project which offers Turning radio, edu-entertainment and social marketing training as well as financial support and technical assistance to produce radio soap operas on the topics experience of HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, human rights and the environment. into Since the beginning of 2007, PCI– Media Impact has set up a strategic alliance with Progressio partner organisation ALER (the Latin American knowlege Association of Radio Education) to offer support based on the association’s 35 years of radio experience in the region. Young people in Ecuador have produced a radio programme which addresses the issues of concern to them, writes Progressio Expressing their vision development worker Alexander Amézquita Sunday 7 is a successful initiative because the young people who EAR TO JIPIJAPA, in a little community how the radio soap opera, Sunday 7, participated in its production developed called Montecristi, the buildings would be received, and how to involve skills to express their worldview and their Nfor Ecuador’s new Constituent other people in the project. The first vision of themselves. This allows them to Assembly are being built. The members group, doctors and medical students recognise their experiences and turn of the assembly were just elected on 30 doing a year’s rural placement in the them into knowledge. September this year. Investment in community, committed to help their The young people from the youth infrastructure and other parts of the organisations use the soap opera to help group Talofito have not only learnt about region’s economy have been diverted offer a better service to adolescents in radio production. They have also learnt into this event, but a quick stroll down relation to sexual and reproductive rights about their own ways of managing their the streets of Jipijapa shows that very and HIV and AIDS. own bodies, relating to others and facing few of these resources are trickling down The second exercise was with a group up to a society which classifies them as into the community’s economy. of young people from a school in ‘populations with risky behaviours’. They The winds of political and economic Jipijapa. Accompanied by their teachers, were able to face up to these risks and change, not just of the shifting they took part in a debate generated by talk about them amongst themselves. governments in the country, but also of a clip from the radio soap opera. From The connections which they neoliberal transformations, have left their experiences at school, at home and stimulated between different authorities, Jipijapa as an area which is suffering in the community of Jipijapa, they talked such as the Presidency of Jipijapa’s social from very high levels of poverty, high about their daily lives from the welfare body and health authorities in rates of teenage pregnancy, education perspective of controlling and taking care the area, shows that young people can problems, and violence. of young people’s bodies. They made overcome forces which try to pigeonhole In this small community, a project reference to the use of language, the them as ‘risky behaviour’ groups; and developed by the youth group Talofito is school’s attempts to control them, their that cultural projects which support local thriving. The group is being supported by small resistances and their visions of experiences, and ways of narrating and Radio Alfaro to produce a radio soap being young. depicting their ideas, can work as opera which covers the topics of teenage strategies to promote the empowerment pregnancy, gangs, family relationships Tackling problems of marginalised populations. and other themes which the young Sunday 7 was developed with people have identified as being at the sponsorship from PCI-Media Impact and Alexander Amézquita is a Progressio core of their daily life. production and content support from development worker with ALER’s PRODH, an NGO which works to defend education and research team working on Speaking out human rights in Ecuador. PRODH, communications training for radio I arrived in Jipijapa to take part in two together with the United Nations networks. He is a communications focus groups which aimed to evaluate Population Fund, has tried to offer the specialist from Colombia.

16 interact Autumn 2007 reflection

An HIV and AIDS training session Open eyes, gave Christopher Nyamandi, a Progressio development worker in Zimbabwe, a different perspective on the lives of commercial sex workers open mind

EFLECTING BACK on my work during Despite being one of the very oldest Samaritan who took me to the hospital. I the past few months I have a professions there is no respite for them was unconscious for four days, suffered Rfeeling that many times we take from the legislative, socio-cultural or from memory loss and serious internal things for granted. We always have an economic perspective. For example, in bleeding.’ It is common to hear such outside view which is blinkered by our Zimbabwe women are prosecuted for stories – and even more candidly past and culture. We are always ‘Loitering for the purposes of horrifying ones – among sex workers. judgemental about certain groups. We prostitution’, but nothing happens to HIV is one danger that has devastated judge youths, we judge orphans, we their clients. this particular group. Over 80% of those judge widows, we judge AIDS patients, tested during the week’s training were we judge commercial sex workers and They are hard working… HIV positive. Some are showing signs of many other previously marginalised or Most of the CSWs do not entirely illness while some have already stigmatised groups. Our view is blocked depend on their trade, they have other succumbed to AIDS-related illness. because we are far from the situations. sources of income and put in long hours My experience has changed me a lot. Being in the situation changes your to augment their incomes. Some are I feel renewed and more open minded. conviction. Recently I ran an HIV and involved in the formal sector while some Many times I took the quality and AIDS awareness session with a group of are involved in small income-generating quantity of my life for granted. commercial sex workers (CSWs) in a activities. This means extra work round Sometimes you think about your sisters remote rural area. This interaction the clock since most of their sex work is and daughters. What shall become of changed my mind and perspective about done at night. Most of them hoped to them if they are faced with poverty of this particular group. I was surprised and leave sex work once they had other the current Zimbabwean scale? Where shocked that: viable income-earning options. This led shall they get jobs in a country of 80% Batsirai [the Progressio partner unemployment? Where shall they get They are caring… organisation with which Christopher protection from HIV in a morally I always imagined that this group of works] to negotiate with the District Aids bankrupt environment? Above all, this people was misguided and utterly Action Committee for further funds to experience taught me gratefulness: to be destructive. This view changed when I support training on income-generating grateful to parents, teachers, friends and realised that, far from that, most CSWs activities for this group. Hopefully their relatives who gave me a future with are caring. They care about their future. ability to translate this training to their hope. I felt so important to the future of They care about their children and are at lives may assist those committed to leave other women and girls. I feel I am a pains to explain to their children the true sex work. better development worker after that nature of their profession. They also care workshop! about protecting their clients from HIV They have horrific stories to tell… and AIDS. In fact, they insist on condom An outside view of CSWs does not Christopher Nyamandi use and are disappointed that in most totally reflect on the horrors and is a Progressio cases their clients seem indifferent about hazards of the profession. I did development protected sex. I also realised that most of not imagine that the life of CSWs worker with them had been sucked into the was easy but I was shocked by Batsirai, which profession by their love for their families the prevalence of murder, rape, undertakes a wide and the need to provide for them. assault and abuse. One story range of HIV and remains in my mind today. One AIDS prevention No-one likes them… 19-year-old lady told us: ‘I was and support work CSWs are generally regarded as social hooked by a bus driver one evening. in Zimbabwe. outcasts especially within the context of The driver and the assistants the African and faith cultures. Hardly intoxicated me with strong does a socio-cultural lesson or a faith drugs and raped me… sermon end without reference to They threw me out of prostitution in a degrading way. In a moving vehicle general no-one likes them and I was and I was later Janice Flower/Progressio appalled to realise that they also helped by a despised and loathed their profession. good

Autumn 2007 interact 17 action

An advent calendar with daily Keep the reflections beginning on World AIDS Day, 1 December, aims to inspire Christians to help meet the challenge of AIDS promise

For whom are you waiting?

Matthew 11:2-11: ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to

Carl Hiebert/Presbyterian World Service & Development World Carl Hiebert/Presbyterian wait for another?’ (v. 3)

When an opportunity arises to speak out or to make a decision that will change many things, many of us hesitate. Is this the right time to speak? Is this when I am supposed to act? We want all of the pieces in place before we risk speaking or acting. We need Advent in a time of AIDS some assurance, somewhere to place our trust. Advent is a season of hope and expectation set amidst the poverty, violence and John the Baptist needed injustice of the world. Since AIDS was identified in the early 1980s, the joy of assurance from Jesus too – “Are Advent has contrasted sharply with the suffering of people living with or affected by you the one we are to follow?” HIV and the deaths of over 27 million people due to AIDS-related illnesses. Over Jesus’ response is wonderful! He these decades we have learned that everyone is affected by AIDS, and our calling as asks the disciples to tell John what Christians demands leadership in demonstrating love, compassion and practical they see and hear: the lame walk, support to all in need. the deaf hear, lepers are cleansed, This is also a time of real hope. Medical advances mean that people living with and good news shared. HIV can live full lives. Comprehensive prevention approaches are known. The Jesus broke down stigmas and inclusion of people living with HIV at all levels of the response has helped to make responded to people in need of our words and actions more caring and effective. love and healing. He spoke out Promises by world leaders have also given hope that over the next several years against injustices and offered a concerted efforts by all levels of society will bring universal access to treatment, new way of life. As disciples in this care, and prevention. Yet we wait for these promises to be fulfilled. The Keep the time of HIV and AIDS, the call to Promise campaign of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance and wider civil society calls see, hear, and respond is ours as on all leaders – and all of us – to be accountable to the promises we have made and well. We have Jesus’ Word. The fulfill the hope of life for millions of people around the world. time is Now. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is an international network of over 100 Loving Jesus, I ask for the churches and Christian organisations (including Progressio) committed to joint courage to speak and to act. advocacy on HIV and AIDS as well as on global trade. It has produced an electronic Amen. advent calendar with daily reflections on HIV and AIDS (one of the reflections is reproduced in the box opposite). The full calendar is available to download from Sister Maria Cimperman OSU, www.e-alliance.ch. Progressio will also be making the reflections available daily from Assistant Professor of Moral 1 December on our website www.progressio.org.uk. Theology and Social Ethics at the The reflections can be used as individual devotions or to initiate group discussion Oblate School of Theology in San or prayer. May our prayers then be the foundation for action to keep our promises, Antonio, Texas, USA. and hold others to theirs, so that future generations will not live in a time of AIDS.

18 interact Autumn 2007 reflection

diversity, and animal life. The forest is no longer our inspiration; it is no longer forest, it is plantation. Another This colonisation leaves our soul like an uncultivated land, without water for the forest; without forest in which to embrace trees – trees where animals live; colonisation without animals; without life. And if we descend towards the Pacific coast, we notice a frightening Fernando Ruiz, a Progressio development worker in Ecuador, laments deforestation on the Andean slopes: the the loss of biodiversity in the Ecuadorian Andes cattle ranch with exotic grass replaces the forest, destroying everything and RAVERSING THE ECUADORIAN ANDES, original flora and fauna. There are eroding everything. from the northern border with thousands of hectares where pine Now on the coastal plain, the TColombia to the southern border predominates and where the Andean plantations of African palm, teak, with Peru, you can see the results of a species are absent. banana (and shrimps) have erased shocking, and almost unnoticed, The cities that we come to in the south natural habitats without consideration colonisation. – Ambato, Latacunga, Riobamba, Loja – for our essence. We were once countries On the mountainsides, for as far as are overwhelmingly full of European, of forests and biodiversity, but now we the eye can see, the only trees are long North American, Australian species. Pine, don’t have the opportunity to experience stretches of eucalyptus and pine. The eucalyptus, palms of the Canary Islands, this diversity except in very specific sites. native, once-magnificent, diversity has figs and ash from China, poplars, maples The loss is incommensurable. turned into monotony. Huge areas of and cypress, own the green spaces: The people do not remember this Andean cloud forests have been turned fences, gardens, urban parks, national invasion. Their thoughts are being into a home for a few species of foreign parks, commercial plantations, even the colonised too – reforested – and the plants. trees in our streets. NOTHING IS NATIVE future is being wiped out with the In the cemetery in Tulcán in the far and everything is artificial. forests that no longer exist. north – a national treasure – all we see The diverse forms of native forests Ecuador was once revered as the are cypresses from North America. There with their rich and varied colours and country with the highest number of is not a single native plant. Heading textures are absent. There are no forests, plant species by area in South America. south, the whole route is an endless only plantations of exotic species. The But will this continue to be true? Or is display of eucalyptus that only changes in forest culture has been colonised. Ninety- this biodiversity now only to be found in the Chota valley where, from trees, we five per cent of the Andean native forests some areas of the Amazon? pass into sugar cane: another of Ecuador have disappeared. It is a situation of loss of self-esteem monoculture. And with the native trees, cultural and rights over the future of our own Continuing south, Imbakucha (lake significance is also disappearing: the land, our cultures and our families. We San Pablo) is surrounded by an infinity of myths and the traditions about native must take notice of the colonisation eucalyptuses; while in the paramos (high trees, visions of the living Andean forest which is happening to us, and begin to moorland) we find pine reforestation, that accompanies us as a place of shelter, reclaim our green spaces. done in the name of carbon capture without thinking about the damaging effects that this can have on the high Andean ecosystem. From here to Quito, the land is covered with thousands and thousands Graham Freer/Progressio Graham Freer/Progressio of eucalyptus and pines. The eroded soils of these areas makes us think about the relationship between exotic plantations and the disappearance of the natural layer of top soil rich in vegetable matter. In Quito itself, public parks are dominated by eucalyptus, acacia, pine, cypress, poplar, ash and African grasses, with little space for native plants. We leave Quito and we head towards the south between interminable eucalyptus – all this interAndean zone is saturated with eucalyptus – and we arrive at the Cotopaxi Natural Park. The Fernando Ruiz leans on a tree from a small stand of native species on a patch of common ground slopes of this great mountain are full of in Otavalo, Ecuador. Fernando, who is from Colombia, is a Progressio development worker with pines that have displaced most of the the Institute of Ecuadorian Studies.

Autumn 2007 interact 19