DOCSLIB.ORG

Grant Program Profile

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Grant Program Profile Inter-American Foundation An Independent Agency of the U.S. Government FISCAL YEAR 2011 ANNUAL GRANT RESULTS REPORT _____________________________________________________________________________ Cover: Fundación Taigüey purchases fruit for processing into value-added products such as jams and jellies to sell in Dominican niche markets. Photo: Jenny Petrow TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 4 THE IAF and GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT ................................................................. 6 THIS REPORT and the GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK ................... 6 METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................................... 7 How Does the GDF Work?................................................................................................... 7 Measuring Results................................................................................................................. 8 GRANT PROGRAM PROFILE .............................................................................................. 9 RESULTS ................................................................................................................................... 9 Individuals and Families: Tangible Indicators ................................................................ 11 Training ........................................................................................................................... 11 Job-Creation.................................................................................................................... 12 Food Production/Nutrition............................................................................................. 14 Housing ............................................................................................................................ 14 Health............................................................................................................................... 15 Individuals and Families: Intangible Indicators.............................................................. 15 Self-esteem ....................................................................................................................... 15 Cultural Identity ............................................................................................................. 16 Leadership ....................................................................................................................... 16 Organizations: Tangible Indicators .................................................................................. 17 Management .................................................................................................................... 17 Resource Leveraging ...................................................................................................... 18 Dissemination .................................................................................................................. 19 Organizations: Intangible Indicators................................................................................ 20 Access to Information..................................................................................................... 20 Participatory Decision-Making...................................................................................... 20 Communities and Societies: Tangible Indicators ............................................................ 21 Wider Application of Methods and Techniques .......................................................... 21 Participatory Consultation............................................................................................. 22 Communities and Societies: Intangible Indicators .......................................................... 22 Treatment of Vulnerable Populations........................................................................... 22 GRANTEE INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ................................ 24 EXPANDING THE REACH OF THE IAF’S APPROACH: RedEAmérica ............................ 26 POST-GRANT ASSESSMENTS............................................................................................ 30 APPENDIX A – GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK .............................. 32 APPENDIX B – GRANTS THROUGHOUT LATIN AMERICA ..................................... 33 APPENDIX C – ORGANIZATIONS REFERENCED IN THIS REPORT ...................... 34 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report summarizes the results reported Because each grantee reports on only by 243 grantees of the Inter-American selected indicators, the numbers presented in Foundation (IAF) that were active in fiscal this report understate the results of the IAF’s 2011. The results of their work benefited investments. more than 91,300 men and women, including African descendants, indigenous Individuals and Families people, persons with disabilities and disadvantaged women and youths, providing Indicators such as knowledge and skills opportunities for these historically-excluded acquired and applied, satisfaction of basic groups to participate more fully in economic needs (shelter, food, health) and job-creation and civic life. measure the effectiveness of grant-funded activities. Taken together, these indicators Results were gathered using the document better conditions for beneficiaries Grassroots Development Framework and participation in the development (GDF), a practical tool developed by the process. Highlights of results reported in IAF to assess the progress made by a fiscal 2011 include the following: diverse portfolio of grantees toward a broad array of goals. Balancing a focus More than 48,300 individuals acquired on results with the level of effort and knowledge and skills through IAF- cost involved in gathering funded training: 14,131 individuals were comprehensive data, the IAF requires trained in agriculture; 43,401 in civic each grantee to choose several indicators participation; 26,511 in human rights; from a menu of 41 to track, analyze, and 9,420 in manufacturing skills; 7,485 in document their results and report to the finance; 7,655 in conservation; and IAF every six months. Reports are 5,537 in leadership skills. Many verified independently by individuals participants enrolled in multiple training contracted locally who also help develop sessions covering various topics. the capacity of grantee organizations to Grantees also track the application of the track results. The GDF measures the knowledge and skills acquired. tangible results of their projects, as well as the subtler, no less vital, intangible Approximately 5,500 new jobs were effects, such as the development of created as a result of training, technical leadership or self-confidence, that might assistance and credit programs; 2,065 affect current and future initiatives. positions were saved; and working conditions improved relevant to 2,162 Results are collected on three levels: the jobs. individual and family, through better quality of life; the organization, through stronger More than 9,125 individuals benefited grassroots groups and organizations that from access to medical care and support them; and the community and sanitation services and from diversified society, through changing policies, practices food production. Clinics provided and attitudes. (For an illustration of the services to 322 individuals; nearly 720 GDF, see Appendix A). individuals gained access to clean water; 4 and close to 8,000 people now enjoy a a result of the IAF’s funding and more nutritious diet. involvement over time, hundreds of thousands of individuals in thousands of Organizations communities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean have improved their lives and An organizational culture that results in circumstances. greater engagement in democratic practices is measured by such indicators as access to Nongovernmental organizations, information and participation in decision- including IAF grantees, and government making. Organizational capacity is entities replicated successful methods measured using indicators that include and practices. resources mobilized and the dissemination of experiences and practices. As with the IAF grantees have supported abilities of an individual, organizational communities in their efforts to have a capacity contributes to future sustainability voice in matters that affect them. For of initiatives. example, subgrants enabled diverse groups of indigenous Brazilians along Grantees collaborated with 541 new the Xingu River to work together during partners and maintained relations with the public debates on a new dam. This more than 1,600 organizations, which resulted in strategies to mitigate flooding enabled them to mobilize additional from the infrastructure project and resources and exchange experiences. policies to compensate damage to property and to the habitat that their The IAF’s responsive, results-oriented livelihoods depend on. approach continues to attract new sources of support for grassroots These and other results in fiscal 2011 development. In 2011, IAF grantees confirm the IAF’s success in promoting mobilized resources valued at more than economic opportunity, reducing poverty and $2.7 million beyond their required fostering civic engagement at the counterpart commitments. community level. Fifty percent of all grantees formally Sandra Lafontaine shared their knowledge with beneficiaries,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Download Download
    Community and Schism among the Old Colony Mennonites of Belize: A Case Study Tanja Plasil, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway Introduction In northern Belize, formerly British Honduras, lies the Altkolonier (Old Colony) Mennonite colony of Shipyard.1 Here the Mennonites form a distinct group within the wider Belizean society because of their appearance, language, religion, and lifestyle. At first glimpse Shipyard may seem like a coherent community, frozen in time, but a closer look reveals that things are quite different from what they appear. The formerly uniform community is showing cracks. A group of people have started to meet to study the Bible, and have begun doubting the old system within which they were living. The old ways do not seem plausible anymore. In order to contain the damage and to keep the rest of the community in line, the preachers have excommunicated members of the Bible Study group, banning them from being a part of community life.2 This 252 Journal of Mennonite Studies means that they, the “outcasts,” face a life of hardship, as they are shunned by even close family members, and do not receive any assistance from former friends or neighbours. To cope with this situation, they have formed a new group within the colony, one that provides mutual support and gives new meaning to their lives. This has worked quite well for some time, but before too long this new group also began splitting into different sub-groups. In this article,3 I focus on the circumstances and social tools that have kept the Altkolonier colony in Belize from becoming part of the wider society for such a long time, and, indeed, how members have kept the community intact.
    [Show full text]
  • Marriage Patterns Among Old Colony Mennonites in Argentina
    Marrying the Brother’s Wife’s Sister: Marriage Patterns among Old Colony Mennonites in Argentina Lorenzo Cañás Bottos, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Introduction The objective of this article is to assess the existence and analyse the consequences of a particular type of marriage pattern in a Men- nonite colony. For this, I apply an approach to the study of a complex kinship system that stems from studies of elementary kinship systems. That is, considering the kinship network of a whole population as the unit of study instead of concentrating on households or individual genealogies. I demonstrate the widespread existence of a marriage pattern characterised by two siblings marrying with two siblings (sibling or sister exchange within anthropological parlance), or in other words, marrying one’s sibling’s spouse’s sibling. I would like to clarify from the start that this article does not concern itself with the causes of this pattern, but with its consequences (particularly on effects on land redistribution and the marriage possibilities of the following gen- 76 Journal of Mennonite Studies eration). The main argument is that the marriage pattern in question does not lead toward the consolidation of land, but tends to equalise the distribution of wealth. Furthermore, when taking into account unwritten rules on marriage within the colony, this pattern produces the unintended consequence of opening up marriage opportunities to the following generation. This article is based on fieldwork in La Nueva Esperanza, an Old Colony Mennonite settlement in Argentina (for further details on this colony see Cañás Bottos, 2005, 2008a). The main economic activities in the colony are agriculture and dairy cattle breeding.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Thesis
    FAITH PERSPECTIVES OF MIGRANT WORKERS 1 Faith Perspectives of Mexican Migrant Farm Workers in Canada Las perspectivas de fe de los trabajadores agrícolas migrantes mexicanos en Canada Rafael Vallejo Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the degree of Doctor of Theology (Ph.D.) Supervisor Dr. Charles Van Engen. FAITH PERSPECTIVES OF MIGRANT WORKERS 2 FAITH PERSPECTIVES OF MIGRANT WORKERS DECLARATION I certify that this thesis is the result of my own research and that it has not been partially or totally submitted to another educational institution to obtain an academic degree. Rafael Vallejo January 31, 2018 FAITH PERSPECTIVES OF MIGRANT WORKERS 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………………..7 ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................... ………….9 ABBREVIATIONS………………………………………………………………………..13 LIST OF TABLES………………………………………………………………………. 15 LIST OF FIGURES…………………………………….………………………………. 18 CHAPTER 1: MIGRANTS AND MIGRATION, RELIGION AND FAITH…………………………. 19 1.1 Introduction 1.1.1 Faith Perspectives of Migrant Workers 1.1.2 Migration and Religion 1.1.3 Global Migration Today 1.1.4 Migration, Globalization and Religion 1.1.5 Migration, Migrants and Christianity 1.2 Background and Significance of The Study 1.3 Objectives of the Study 1.3.1. The Research Question 1.3.2. Specific Objectives 1.3.3. Definition of Terms 1.4 Theoretical Framework 1.4.1. Lived Religion as a Theoretical Framework 1.5 Methodology 1.5.1. Subjects of the Study: Mexican Migrant Farm Workers 1.5.2. Visual Sociology 1.5.3. Post-disciplinary Approaches 1.6 Survey of Related Literature 1.6.1. Migration and Religion 1.6.2. Migration and Globalization 1.6.3. Migration and Religious Identity FAITH PERSPECTIVES OF MIGRANT WORKERS 4 1.6.4.
    [Show full text]
  • Transforming Education: the Lesson from Argentina
    Digital Commons @ Georgia Law Scholarly Works Faculty Scholarship 1-1-2001 Transforming Education: The Lesson from Argentina Anne Dupre University of Georgia School of Law, [email protected] Repository Citation Anne Dupre, Transforming Education: The Lesson from Argentina (2001), Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.uga.edu/fac_artchop/792 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at Digital Commons @ Georgia Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Scholarly Works by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Georgia Law. Please share how you have benefited from this access For more information, please contact [email protected]. VANDERBILT JOURNAL of TRANSNATIONAL LAW VOLUME 34 JANUARY 2001 NUMBER I Transforming Education: The Lesson from Argentina Anne Proffitt Dupre* ABSTRACT This Article traces education reforms in Argentina from the colonialperiod to the present. Specifically, the Article focuses on La Ley Federal de Educaci6n, passed in 1993, which sought to reform primary and secondaryeducation throughout Argentina by promoting educational equity through a just distribution of educationalservices and opportunity. The Article begins with a descriptionof the current Argentine federal republic and the relationshipof the federal government and the provinces. Next, Article describes the development of the Argentine education system. It continues by explaining the backdrop of the adoption of Ley Federal. The Author describes the act's twenty-three rights and principlesand outlines the reforms envisioned under the law. The Article then turns to an evaluation of the effects and the effectiveness of Ley Federal. The Author specifically addresses the pervasiveproblems with dropout rates,funding, special education, and teacher salaries.
    [Show full text]
  • Prayer Cards | Joshua Project
    Pray for the Nations Pray for the Nations Afro-Argentine in Argentina Afro-Bolivian in Argentina Population: 137,000 Population: 1,300 World Popl: 137,000 World Popl: 134,300 Total Countries: 1 Total Countries: 2 People Cluster: Afro-American, Hispanic People Cluster: Afro-American, Hispanic Main Language: Spanish Main Language: Spanish Main Religion: Christianity Main Religion: Christianity Status: Significantly reached Status: Significantly reached Evangelicals: 12.0% Evangelicals: 12.0% Chr Adherents: 97.0% Chr Adherents: 98.5% Scripture: Complete Bible Scripture: Complete Bible www.joshuaproject.net www.joshuaproject.net "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 Pray for the Nations Pray for the Nations Afro-Caribbean, other in Argentina Afro-Paraguayan in Argentina Population: 2,900 Population: 1,900 World Popl: 113,900 World Popl: 73,900 Total Countries: 2 Total Countries: 2 People Cluster: Afro-American, Northern People Cluster: Afro-American, Hispanic Main Language: Spanish Main Language: Spanish Main Religion: Christianity Main Religion: Christianity Status: Significantly reached Status: Partially reached Evangelicals: 12.0% Evangelicals: 6.0% Chr Adherents: 90.0% Chr Adherents: 100.0% Scripture: Complete Bible Scripture: Complete Bible www.joshuaproject.net www.joshuaproject.net Source: Anonymous "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 Pray for the Nations Pray for the Nations Afro-Peruvians in Argentina Afro-Uruguayan
    [Show full text]
  • Marrying the Brother's Wife's Sister: Marriage Patterns Among Old Colony Mennonites in Argentina
    Marrying the Brother’s Wife’s Sister: Marriage Patterns among Old Colony Mennonites in Argentina Lorenzo Cañás Bottos Norwegian University of Science and Technology This is a pre-print version for open repository storage of an already published work. Please use the following definitive published version for quotation and citation: Cañás Bottos, Lorenzo. 2013. "Marrying the Brother’s Wife’s Sister: An Analysis of Marriage Patterns among Old Colony Mennonites in Argentina." Journal of Mennonite Studies no. 31:75-86. 1. Introduction The objective of this article is to assess the existence and analyse the consequences of a particular type of marriage pattern in a Mennonite Colony. For this, I apply an approach to the study of a complex kinship system that stems from studies of elementary systems. That is, considering the kinship network of a whole population as the unit of study instead of concentrating on households or individual genealogies. I demonstrate the widespread existence of a marriage pattern characterised by two siblings marrying with two siblings (sibling or sister exchange within anthropological parlance), or in other words, marrying one’s sibling’s spouse’s sibling. I would like to clarify from the start that this article does not concern itself with the causes of this pattern, but with its consequences (particularly on effects on land redistribution, and the marriage possibilities of the following generation). The main argument is that the marriage pattern in question does not lead towards the consolidation of land, but tends to equalise the distribution of wealth. Furthermore, when taking into account unwritten rules on marriage within the colony, this pattern produces the unintended consequence of opening up marriage opportunities to the following generation.
    [Show full text]
  • Genomic and Climatic Effects on Human Crania from South America: a Comparative
    Genomic and Climatic Effects on Human Crania from South America: A Comparative Microevolutionary Approach Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Brianne C. Herrera, M.A. Graduate Program in Anthropology The Ohio State University 2019 Dissertation Committee Mark Hubbe, Advisor Clark Spencer Larsen Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg Jeffrey McKee Copyrighted by Brianne C. Herrera 2019 Abstract Cranial morphology has been widely used to estimate phylogenetic relationships among and between populations. When compared against genetic data, however, discrepancies arise in terms of population affinity and effects of microevolutionary processes. These discrepancies are particularly apparent in studies of the human dispersion to the New World. Despite the apparent discrepancies, research has thus far been limited in scope when analyzing the relationship between the cranial morphology and genetic markers. This dissertation aimed to fill this void in research by providing a necessary broad comparative approach, incorporating 3D morphological and climate data, mtDNA, and Y-chromosome DNA from South America. The combination of these data types allows for a more complete comparative analysis of microevolutionary processes. Correlations between these different data types allow for the assessment their relatedness, while quantitatively testing microevolutionary models permit determining the congruence of these different data types. I asked the following research questions: 1) how consistent are the patterns of population affinity when comparing different regions of the crania to each type of DNA for populations in South America? 2) If they are not consistent, why not? How are different evolutionary forces affecting the affinities between them? Collectively, both the cranial and genetic data demonstrated patterns of isolation-by-distance when viewed from a continent-wide scale.
    [Show full text]
  • 12 the Church and Economics After Christendom 17 Prayerfully Present 18 Old Wine, New Songs 32 the Church and the Magazine Business
    1209finalwads.qxd 4/29/2009 9:01 AM Page 1 www.TheMennonite.org May 5, 2009 12 The church and economics after Christendom 17 Prayerfully present 18 Old wine, new songs 32 The church and the magazine business Page 8 1209finalwads.qxd 4/29/2009 8:54 AM Page 2 GRACE AND TRUTH The broken body of Christ he body of Christ, broken for you.” new members. I closed the service with a prayer: Communion draws us into brokenness. We “God, we ask you to build up this congregation T don’t turn and run from this torn body. We through the continual outpouring of your gifts, don’t hide the wounds with a Band-Aid. At the gifts like Laura and Dave, so that we might receive Lord’s Table we can’t help but wait with broken- the grace to uphold one another in the faith.” ness. Through our remembering we tarry with the These new members infuse our church with crucified Savior and come to discover that we also new life. They are the enfleshed movement of the share in that brokenness. His wounds expose our Holy Spirit. Laura and Dave joined our humble lit- own, or at least call us to consider our wounds. tle flock and now help us discern what Christ’s His torn flesh offers a window into our fractured body looks like where we live. With their presence lives. We find ourselves in his body. As the great come the gifts needed for us to be faithful. spiritual writer Sebastian Moore puts it, the cruci- Laura and Dave transferred their membership fied Jesus is no stranger.
    [Show full text]
  • (That Is How We Have Always Done It): the Collective Memory and Cultural Identity of the Old Colony Mennonites in Bolivia
    ‘So Ha’ Wie Daut Emma Jedohne,’ (That is How We Have Always Done It): The Collective Memory and Cultural Identity Of The Old Colony Mennonites in Bolivia By Karen Warkentin A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Of the University of Manitoba In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Department of History Joint Master’s Program University of Manitoba/University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Copyright © 2010 by Karen Warkentin THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES ***** COPYRIGHT PERMISSION ‘So Ha’ Wie Daut Emma Jedohne,’ (That is How We Have Always Done It): The Collective Memory and Cultural Identity Of The Old Colony Mennonites in Bolivia By Karen Warkentin A Thesis/Practicum submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of Master of Arts Karen Warkentin (c) 2010 Permission has been granted to the Library of the University of Manitoba to lend or sell copies of this thesis/practicum, to the National Library of Canada to microfilm this thesis and to lend or sell copies of the film, and to University Microfilms Inc. to publish and abstract of this thesis/practicum. This reproduction or copy of this thesis has been made available by authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research, and may only be reproduced and copied as permitted by copyright laws or with express written authorization from the copyright owner. ii ABSTRACT The Canadian-descendent Old Colony Mennonites first arrived in Bolivia from Mexico in 1967.
    [Show full text]
  • Prayer Cards | Joshua Project
    Pray for the Nations Pray for the Nations Afro-Argentine in Argentina Afro-Bolivian in Argentina Population: 137,000 Population: 1,300 World Popl: 137,000 World Popl: 134,300 Total Countries: 1 Total Countries: 2 People Cluster: Afro-American, Hispanic People Cluster: Afro-American, Hispanic Main Language: Spanish Main Language: Spanish Main Religion: Christianity Main Religion: Christianity Status: Significantly reached Status: Significantly reached Evangelicals: 12.0% Evangelicals: 12.0% Chr Adherents: 97.0% Chr Adherents: 98.5% Scripture: Complete Bible Scripture: Complete Bible www.joshuaproject.net www.joshuaproject.net "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 Pray for the Nations Pray for the Nations Afro-Caribbean, other in Argentina Afro-Paraguayan in Argentina Population: 2,900 Population: 1,900 World Popl: 113,900 World Popl: 73,900 Total Countries: 2 Total Countries: 2 People Cluster: Afro-American, Northern People Cluster: Afro-American, Hispanic Main Language: Spanish Main Language: Spanish Main Religion: Christianity Main Religion: Christianity Status: Significantly reached Status: Partially reached Evangelicals: 12.0% Evangelicals: 6.0% Chr Adherents: 90.0% Chr Adherents: 100.0% Scripture: Complete Bible Scripture: Complete Bible www.joshuaproject.net www.joshuaproject.net Source: Anonymous "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 Pray for the Nations Pray for the Nations Afro-Peruvians in Argentina Afro-Uruguayan
    [Show full text]
  • Prayer Cards | Joshua Project
    Pray for the Nations Pray for the Nations Afro-Argentine in Argentina Afro-Bolivian in Argentina Population: 137,000 Population: 1,300 World Popl: 137,000 World Popl: 134,300 Total Countries: 1 Total Countries: 2 People Cluster: Afro-American, Hispanic People Cluster: Afro-American, Hispanic Main Language: Spanish Main Language: Spanish Main Religion: Christianity Main Religion: Christianity Status: Significantly reached Status: Significantly reached Evangelicals: 12.0% Evangelicals: 12.0% Chr Adherents: 97.0% Chr Adherents: 98.5% Scripture: Complete Bible Scripture: Complete Bible www.joshuaproject.net www.joshuaproject.net "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 Pray for the Nations Pray for the Nations Afro-Caribbean, other in Argentina Afro-Paraguayan in Argentina Population: 2,900 Population: 1,900 World Popl: 113,900 World Popl: 73,900 Total Countries: 2 Total Countries: 2 People Cluster: Afro-American, Northern People Cluster: Afro-American, Hispanic Main Language: Spanish Main Language: Spanish Main Religion: Christianity Main Religion: Christianity Status: Significantly reached Status: Partially reached Evangelicals: 12.0% Evangelicals: 6.0% Chr Adherents: 90.0% Chr Adherents: 100.0% Scripture: Complete Bible Scripture: Complete Bible www.joshuaproject.net www.joshuaproject.net Source: Anonymous "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 "Declare his glory among the nations." Psalm 96:3 Pray for the Nations Pray for the Nations Afro-Peruvians in Argentina Afro-Uruguayan
    [Show full text]
  • Obedience and Transgression Among Bolivian Old Colony Mennonites
    The Dynamics of Boundaries: Obedience and Transgression among Bolivian Old Colony Mennonites Anna Sofia Hedberg1 Faculty Office for Humanities and Social Sciences Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden Abstract Boundaries keep people apart just as they keep people together. Boundaries are social constructs made by man in order to maintain the natural order of things. The aim of this article is to elaborate on the social construct of boundaries and particularly acknowledge their dynamic character. Social and cultural boundaries are passable, changeable, and negotiable. Nonetheless, boundaries are fundamental to many peoples’ existence and survival as ethnic and cultural communities and must therefore be acknowledged as essential human needs. By focusing on the members of a conservative Christian community—Old Colony Mennonites in Bolivia—as they carry out practices in relation to the outside world, the article illustrates processes that help sustain the group’s boundaries towards the outside as well as processes that simultaneously challenge and to some extent transform these same boundaries. Keywords Boundaries; Obedience; Disobedience; Old Colony Mennonites; Bolivia; Ordnung Hedberg, Anna Sofia. 2016. “The Dynamics of Boundaries: Obedience and Transgression among Bolivian Old Colony Mennonites.” Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies 4(2):149-67. 150 Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies 4(2) Introduction Boundaries: physical or mental; visual or imagined; social, political, or religious. At first sight, they tend to seem so rigid, so permanent. Boundaries keep people apart just as they keep people together. Not only people but also phenomena, things, and ideologies are enclosed by boundaries. The raison d’être of boundaries is to maintain categories, to hinder the mixing of, for instance, ideas, things, and people that should be kept separate.
    [Show full text]