Saturday, April 26, 2008

A Journey Through the Heart of Native American Indian Country

By Amanda Rives Argeñal, Policy Advisor for Christian Children's Fund


Today we traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation, home to two Affiliates: Oyate Teca and Oyate Networking. Having never been on a reservation, it was quite an experience for me and many of the participants, who had traveled from as far away as Texas and Mississippi.

The communities CCF serves are very isolated and the living conditions are very poor. Youth and adults lack access to higher education and employment.

The landscape here is striking; the reservation borders the famous Badlands – named precisely because it is a land where no crops will grow, and animals cannot graze. Yet in Pine Ridge, we witnessed what can happen when an organization like CCF steps in to support the community and improve their situation. Oyate Teca and Oyate Networking run programs for youth which engage them in activities to build leadership skills and self-esteem, teach them real-life skills, and improves their academic performance.

After stopping by the Wounded Knee Massacre Site, where 300 men, women, and children of the Lakota Sioux were killed in 1890 by U.S. troops, we traveled to Kyle, the site of Oyate Networking Program. There we were treated to a mini-youth powwow by CCF enrolled children and the Hehaka drum group. The drumming was amazing, and the traditional regalia, most of it home-made, was absolutely striking.

Then we had a tour of the Oyate Networking site, a warm and inviting space equipped with plenty of books, learning materials, a dream corner, and lots of fun activities. Raquel Oliva, US Programs Director, described the programs provided there with help from Carmelita and Tanya, the two staff members. Conference participants also got a chance to speak with youth leaders and ask questions about life on the reservation.

On the long ride back to Keystone, participants discussed the great differences amongst the communities they serve – from Indian reservations, to Mississippi, to immigrant communities along the U.S.-Mexico border, and rural Virginia. The common thread, they found, is the resilience of children. In all corners of the United States, CCF is succeeding in helping children, youth, and their communities find durable solutions and improve their futures.


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Friday, April 25, 2008

U.S. Program Affiliates Gather in South Dakota

By Amanda Rives Argeñal, Policy Advisor for Christian Children's Fund


Greetings from Keystone, South Dakota! This is Amanda Rives, Policy Advisor for CCF, writing from the 2008 U.S. Affiliate Conference. We had a very exciting week and packed agenda, but the beautiful views of Mt. Rushmore and the famous Black Hills have kept us refreshed and focused.

Monday afternoon we were warmly welcomed by Raquel Oliva, Director of U.S. Programs. The participants greeted old friends and newcomers to CCF. There are representatives from 13 affiliates, representing a wide range of programming in South Dakota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi, and Virginia.

Monday evening Ike Bean, Executive Director of Youth Development in Rapid City, gave participants a lecture on the history and culture of Native Americans in South Dakota. Then we were entertained by Shere Wright, United Sioux Tribes Princess who demonstrated her beautiful traditional regalia. The Okiciyapi Drum Group and Tiny Tot dancers added to the festivities.

The conference was full of skills building and important updates. Some of the learning sessions included: Self Acceptance and Healthy Esteem for Children of Today and Youth Environmental Education Programs.

I conducted a session with Robert Langford, Executive Director of Operation Shoestring from Jackson, Miss. on advocacy. Robert described his web of connections which has helped Operation Shoestring be an effective advocate for children and their families. He described successes they have achieved in High-school Drop Out Prevention programs, as well as lessons learned from advocating for Early Childhood Development programs. I highlighted key building blocks that some of our program affiliates used to scale-up their advocacy efforts. We discussed future advocacy actions to implement with our program affiliates and also in Washington, D.C. More details tomorrow!

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

By Nicole Duciaume, Documentation and Sponsorship Support Officer

As my last blog entry for Ecuador before boarding a plane at some unkind hour (leaving the hotel at 3:30 a.m.), I want to take a minute to reflect on the highlights and moments that capture the imagination and the spirit of the trip.

I remember walking through the winding dust-filled streets, with children clamoring for photos shouting in limited English – their eyes lit with a fire of self-value and respect. They giggle when you turn the camera so they can see themselves. Each wants to be the first and the loudest to tell you his/her name and in their enthusiasm, their shouts rise louder and louder. They hold your hands and tell you their favorite activity. They tell you where their sponsor lives sometimes ask if we can ask their sponsor to send a letter.


I remember a father’s pride etched in a smile at his garden teeming with tomatoes, lettuce and other assorted vegetables. CCF has demonstrative farms to teach the families how to better irrigate and grow crops using organic methods that are safe for their families and the environment. You can feel the palpable pride as the parents show you their produce, their hard work, their dedication and you understand that their children will be properly nourished and that they can sell the surplus to have sufficient income to pay for their family’s basic needs.

I remember the National Director playing with a group of young children in the window of a nearby CCF preschool. The kids know him and they have a rapport that is more comfortable than any I have seen in my other travels. There is a song that they sing together, chorus after chorus booming and echoing. Their energy is intoxicating….the alphabet, the numbers and the alphabet again.

I remember a community representative telling me about a strange trend right now in Cotopaxi: after decades of families emigrating from the area in search of better jobs, security, and ultimately improved futures for their children, now families are moving back into the area because of improved economic opportunities, improved water/sanitation facilities and improved access to education and healthcare. There is still much work to be done, but families who have moved away after giving up hope are finding their ways back because of the improved opportunities for their children, thanks in part to CCF’s contributions and partnerships.

I remember so much more….one young lady becoming emotional as she talked about how CCF programs helped her when she was being abused by an employer and was facing a future without education. I remember listening to children read one of their favorite story-books in the corner of a room dedicated to their expressions, thoughts, feelings and emotions. I remember seeing community members talk about their water filtration system and that it means clean water for consumption, growth and irrigation.





I remember one young girl, Karen, mustering the confidence to bring a bean collage of the Corpus Cristi celebration to me and ask that I take it back to my country to show everyone I know.




She was excited when I told her that my mom’s name is Karen too.









The memories are so vivid…the names, the faces, the places, the emotions….everything is so quintessentially Ecuador. It is never easy to leave a country; it is never easy to adequately share the experiences once you return home.

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Monday, April 21, 2008

By Nicole Duciaume, Documentation and Sponsorship Support Officer

Walking away from our days in Cotopaxi, and truthfully the entire time in Ecuador, participants excitedly chatted about the programs they had seen and the people they had met. Each delighted in sharing photos with each other, figuring out how to stay in touch and planning their presentations for their offices once they got back. A recommitment to the children, families, communities and programs was reborn from Australia to Canada and everywhere in between.

An interesting way to wrap up the week was informally asking the participants individually what programs they thought were the most memorable or interesting. The answers varied widely. In this post, I want to share with you what many felt to be a clear strength of the CCF Ecuador programs: the integrated education programs.

CCF Ecuador addresses education in four stages. As I mentioned in an earlier post, CCF Ecuador’s programs balance the children’s rights with their responsibilities. Therefore, in all of the stages I am about to outline below, it is important to reflect on the importance of the organization, community and local government to provide educational opportunities but it is also the responsibility of the parents and the children themselves to actively participate, eagerly learn and keep up with homework and educational tasks.

The first stage is the training of Guide Mothers who meet with parents of young children to encourage early stimulation, promote discovery and support early childhood skills development (like fine motor skills). These Guide Mothers teach parents how to make child-friendly games that we would often take for granted such as an empty coffee can and beans to make a large rattle. The responsibility of these guide mother volunteers is to talk with all the parents to stress the importance of early education to prepare children for the following stages.



The second stage is the kindergarten areas that develop social skills, independence and basic songs, dances and concepts such as getting dressed. These kindergartens provide a safe place for children to learn and grow…and there are tasty meals served everyday as well. Parents are responsible for ensuring that the children attend these schools daily to provide a firm foundation for future learning.



The third stage is elementary school that features a classroom that encourages child expression through dance, art, reading, writing (both in terms of penmanship and spelling, but also in terms of creative thought) and letter writing. It is at this stage that children are taught about their right to education and play, but that it comes at the price of doing homework, paying attention in class and helping with chores at home before being able to play with friends.



The fourth and final stage is high school where they boast a science room with all levels of creatures in jars of formaldehyde. The school also has a computer lab to learn basic computing skills such as Excel spreadsheets, Word documents and even PowerPoint. This high school was once located in another part of town where CCF helped construct the buildings, and as a result is actually called CCF High School. Students here learn that the responsibility to a better education rests, in part, with them asking for better classrooms, more teachers and diversified classes that will give them the skills needed to continue their education and form their futures.


This integrated education program, balancing rights and responsibilities, addresses the development of the children and youth from all stages of life.

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Monday, April 14, 2008

By Nicole Duciaume, Documentation and Sponsorship Support Officer

Throughout the day on Monday, ChildFund member participants engaged with the National Office staff on various topics ranging from poverty indicators, program implementation, funding and sponsorship methodologies. Discussions focused on the “faces of poverty” which is one way to capture the idea of what it means for children in Ecuador to be deprived, excluded and vulnerable.

After a very full day of orientations, participants awoke Tuesday to the realization that the real trip, the real meetings, the real understanding was about to begin. Around breakfast that morning, there was a very real buzz in the air as participants hurried themselves to finish the last sip of juice before checking out of the hotel and heading to the Cotopaxi Area. We anxiously boarded the bus early and watched out the windows in amazement as the hills rose in a crescendo like a symphony. We were split into two groups so that the visits were more manageable and less overwhelming for the children, families, schools and communities. Each bus carried lively conversations, some attempted to catch a bit of last minute sleep and others listed out the questions they couldn’t wait to ask.

The first order of business was learning about how the area staff works in collaboration with the communities, parents, youth and children to identify the leading issues affecting children’s wellbeing in the community. This process is known as the Participatory Rural Assessment. CCF puts a premium on asking the children and youth their perspectives and their views. We want the children and youth to identify their realities, risks and solutions.



Another component of this process is asking children to identify the risks in their community. These risks are then mapped out for all the children to be aware of and for CCF to consider how best to program in these areas. For example, children will put flags in areas where there are bus lines, mean dogs, bars or poorly lit areas. The community can then address these concerns, such as more public lighting in this area or no playgrounds in that area. This risk map is publicly displayed so that it serves as both a resource and an awareness building technique.

The staff shared with us the importance of working in partnerships. Specifically CCF partners with the community members, the local government, local organizations, grant partners and other larger non-government organizations. By working in partnership, there is less competition for available resources, more collaboration on efforts to ensure coverage and less duplication of efforts. For example, we met with a representative from a grant-funded consortium to fight child labor in Cotopaxi. We also learned of how CCF programs have been adopted by the Ecuadorian government as standards for all of the country such their nutritional guide for children.

It was powerful to see how donations are amplified. By engaging partners in the assessment as well as the program design and implementation, CCF is being faithful stewards of all the money donated to help the children in these communities.

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Thursday, April 10, 2008

By Nicole Duciaume, Documentation and Sponsorship Support Officer

One of the nice things about staying in Ecuador over a weekend is that we had time to line up some mini adventures.

On Saturday we went north to the province of Imbabura. Along the way we weaved through the mountains and valleys of the Andes. My ears must have popped at least 10 times before the trip was done. We briefly stopped at a small rest stop to take in the sights of the mountains rising up from one of the many lakes of the province. There a girl stood with her llama. It costs 25 cents to take her photo, but it was well worth it for the souvenir photo everyone expects you to take.


The province of Imbabura is best known for its lakes and its Otavalo Market. The market is featured in the bestselling book “1,000 Places To See Before You Die.” According to the book, Otavalo is the oldest, best known and most important Indian market in South America. It has served as the social and economic heartbeat of the northern highlands for more than 4,000 years and is the most popular mainland destination in Ecuador (the Galapagos Islands are the most popular destination in all of Ecuador).


The market is set up on the main square of this small town. The concentric blocks of booths are piled high with every souvenir imaginable – alpaca scarves, bejeweled jewelry, colorful hammocks, intricate tapestries, painted feathers, woven dolls, winter hats, tourist T-shirts, wooden carvings and medicinal homeopathic herbs. It has every ware to tantalize the tourists. Most vendors can speak English, but the true language is that of haggling, negotiating and the infamous “discounts” offered to anyone who asks. As a basic rule, one should never pay the first three prices offered.


On Sunday we went on a historic tour of Quito as well as the Mitad Del Mundo (the middle of the world). As with all colonial towns in Latin America, the main plaza is a gathering place for the people. Framed by the main government offices, the presidential palace and the main cathedral, it was declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979.




There is also a monument to independence as well as greenery, fountains and plentiful historical charm. It is both the focal point of family relaxation as well as political demonstrations.







Radiating from the plaza in narrow streets is the complex Spanish grid of shops, churches and homes. There is little left from the days of Incan rule because in 1533 the last Incan general decided to burn the city to prevent the Spanish from being able to take over the city. All that remains is historical lore and stories of what used to be. Looking over the city is the virgin of Quito, the only winged virgin in the world. At about 10,000 feet above sea level, she is visible from just about any place in Quito.


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Tuesday, April 8, 2008

By Nicole Duciaume, Documentation and Sponsorship Support Officer

Today we ventured a few hours south of Quito to the Province of Cotopaxi, which derives its name from the volcano of the same name that towers over the Province and CCF’s program area. The larger ChildFund group will be visiting these programs next week. Today’s mission was to ask some questions, think through some presentations and help them prepare for the visit.


The day was long, but since it was spent surrounded by children, families and community members, the time passed without complaint. Even the briefest moments talking with families, playing with children and seeing development programs first hand is transformative for me. All too often in the course of a normal day, I get caught up in spreadsheets, analysis, reports and paperwork. But the moments in the field, in the action, connected to the very core of our job – the children, families and communities – are both refreshing and inspiring.

Throughout the day we met with staff, volunteers and families. We learned about the issues affecting children and youth and the area programs and projects addressing those issues. We also learned of the balance between rights and responsibilities within these programs. For example, children have the right to access education, but they also have the responsibility to study and learn.

One key component leading to sick children is the lack of access to safe and secure water. The families identified this problem and the root cause. They then identified what is their right and what is their responsibility. Everything in this CCF community is identified collaboratively and then analyzed against their rights and responsibilities.

Towards the end of the day, as the sun was beginning to sneak behind the Andes Mountains, we received a request from one of the communities to join them in inaugurating their water filtration system. After descending a soggy hill we stood atop the tanks and joined them as they spoke of the importance of water, how the system was constructed and the difference it would soon make in the areas of water security, agriculture and the health of the children. Standing atop the tanks, we faced the community and children who called for a resolution to a problem, then designed the project and devoted time, energy and resources to construct the system. From our vantage point, we could clearly look at both the empowered community and their accomplishments.

We were proud to stand with them as partners in their success. They then asked the National Director to say a few words.







He in turn handed us a small grade-school pair of scissors and asked us to do he honor of cutting the ribbon and saying a few words. I can’t recall exactly what I said, but I am carrying a piece of the ribbon in my camera case. Despite the ribbon and the photos of the event, nothing begins to capture the moment or the pride that wafted in the air as the day concluded and we began our trip back to Quito.

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By Nicole Duciaume, Documentation and Sponsorship Support Officer

Today we ventured a few hours south of Quito to the Province of Cotopaxi, which derives its name from the volcano of the same name that towers over the Province and CCF’s program area. The larger ChildFund group will be visiting these programs next week. Today’s mission was to ask some questions, think through some presentations and help them prepare for the visit.

The day was long, but since it was spent surrounded by children, families and community members, the time passed without complaint. Even the briefest moments talking with families, playing with children and seeing development programs first hand is transformative for me. All too often in the course of a normal day, I get caught up in spreadsheets, analysis, reports and paperwork. But the moments in the field, in the action, connected to the very core of our job – the children, families and communities –are both refreshing and inspiring.

Throughout the day we met with staff, volunteers and families. We learned about the issues affecting children and youth and the area programs and projects addressing those issues. We also learned of the balance between rights and responsibilities within these programs. For example, children have the right to access education, but they also have the responsibility to study and learn.

One key component leading to sick children is the lack of access to safe and secure water. The families identified this problem and the root cause. They then identified what is their right and what is their responsibility. Everything in this CCF community is identified collaboratively and then analyzed against their rights and responsibilities.

Towards the end of the day, as the sun was beginning to sneak behind the Andes Mountains, we received a request from one of the communities to join them in inaugurating their water filtration system. After descending a soggy hill we stood atop the tanks and joined them as they spoke of the importance of water, how the system was constructed and the difference it would soon make in the areas of water security, agriculture and the health of the children. Standing atop the tanks, we faced the community and children who called for a resolution to a problem, then designed the project and devoted time, energy and resources to construct the system. From our vantage point, we could clearly look at both the empowered community and their accomplishments.

We were proud to stand with them as partners in their success. They then asked the National Director to say a few words. He in turn handed us a small grade-school pair of scissors and asked us to do he honor of cutting the ribbon and saying a few words. I can’t recall exactly what I said, but I am carrying a piece of the ribbon in my camera case. Despite the ribbon and the photos of the event, nothing begins to capture the moment or the pride that wafted in the air as the day concluded and we began our trip back to Quito.

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Monday, April 7, 2008

By Nicole Duciaume, Documentation and Sponsorship Support Officer

Our plane circled the mountains and volcanoes before delicately descending into the Quito Valley in Ecuador late Tuesday night. The flight was seamless but immigration/customs were as expected, complete with long lines and weary travelers. As you can imagine, when you emerge from the airport doors, there is nothing more reassuring than seeing a familiar face. In our case it was the Ecuadorian Sponsor Relations Manager, Zoraya, who made the late drive to the airport to greet us.

For the first time in CCF history, a select group of sponsor relations managers from all of the ChildFund alliance members gathered to discuss key issues. Topics included programming, best practices with children’s participation and how to best engage supporters in the lives of the children, the communities and the countries themselves.

CCF is a member of ChildFund Alliance, a group of global, developmental child sponsorship organizations. Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Sweden and CCF International in Richmond, Va. make up the alliance.

Prior to the meeting, myself and Margaret (a colleague from Richmond) arrived in Ecuador to assist with last minute preparations as well as an orientation with the communities.









The first morning we gathered to meet at the National Office. After a brief introduction to the entire National Office team, we delved straight away into the meeting agenda discussion. In just one week, it is very difficult to find the balance between community visits, directed presentations and open discussions. It is also very difficult to balance ample information satisfying all questions without packing the agenda so tightly that the participants are exhausted from information overload.



Though we worked into the early evening on general preparations, the clear highlight of the day was that it ended at a soccer game with Carlos Montúfar, the National Director. It was an Ecuadorian professional team (Liga) against an Argentine team (Arsenal) to move into the second round of a Latin American tournament called the Liberation Cup. For anyone who has not been to a soccer game in Ecuador (or most Latin American countries, for that matter) the sights, sounds, emotions and energy is nearly inexplicable and practically beyond words.




There is an entire percussion section set up behind one goal that swings and dances along with thousands of fans chanting, singing, running up and down the stands after every goal. Your eyes dart between the field and the stands, equally mesmerized and transfixed by both the games and the supporters. We quickly became fans of the home team: L – I – G – A! LIGA, LIGA, LIGA!!!!! It wasn’t hard to support them, as they handily defeated Arsenal 6-1.



Though the game was exciting and the perfect cap to the first full day in Ecuador, the game itself was not necessarily the highlight of the soccer experience. As we watched the game, the National Director pointed out one player in particular. He played defense on the left side and was quite skilled. Not one attacker breezed by him and he won just about every contest, header and sprint to the ball. He played with passion and commitment. His name is Diego and he is a former CCF enrolled child. We spoke with the National Director about reaching out to Diego and encouraging him to serve as an inspiration to currently enrolled children. Hopefully that will be a future endeavor of the office…to let Diego speak to the children and spread the word of hope and pride in his accomplishments and his enrollment.

Soon, I hope to share more information on Diego.

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