Super Busy Times

Hi Folks, I write this from Manila, where fellow APH organizer Dave sits next to me working on the blog entry we are co-authoring on our time in San Isidro.
See our website:
www.vcn.bc.ca/~aph

Aiyanas, Sophia, Billy and I traveled from Bacolod to Escalante, where we joined a training for National Federation of Sugar Workers Community Health Workers. I helped lead the first aid and the physical exams... pretty fun. Evy, a medical student from the Belgian organization INTAL (International Action for Liberation) joined us, and we had a blast together. After that short 3 days, our family, Evy, and our guides from NIHIP traveled to Cadiz, where we spent the night at a camp for the families of 13 men arrested for the 'crime' of trying to eek out a living burning charcoal during what is now 'tiempos muertos' or 'dead time' between planting and harvesting the sugar cane, when hunger is severe. The day we arrived, the families buried its youngest victim, 3 year old Jenny, who died from malnutrition and broncho-pneumonia. It was a very inspiring night of prison visit and check ups, more check ups at the camp and Aiyanas did a great radio interview which was aired the next morning to our delight. We learned recently that 11 of 13 men have been released, and have joined their wives and children in the camp until the remaining 2 men are freed.

After Cadiz, Aiyanas, Billy, Sophia and our guide Julius traveled to San Isidro, a community where the PO, NFSW, has initiated a strong health committee... but more on that when Dave and I finish our joint blog.

Now I am in Manila escorting Sophia and Dave to the airport. Aiyanas and Billy remain with Julius in Escalante for further integration with sugar workers and fishers, and research and documentation on the impacts of oil exploration and mining off the coast.

Send us some comments!

Escalante Sugar Workers CHW Training

Cadiz Political Prisoners Family Camp

Cadiz Political Prisoners Solidarity Visit

Community Health Worker Training

A simple thing.
Swollen glands,
In neck and under the jawbone.

Could be a sign of TB.
Could be a sign of upper respiratory infection,
Your best chance at detection,
To heal a brother, a mother, or a child.
Not a simple thing.

Lub-dub Lub-dub Lub-dub
Hands on the stethoscope,
Learning to listen for the sounds of disease
Listen to the heart…
Murmurs and faces focused,
Learning to listen,
For the echoes of imperialism.

Diagnosis is 80% history.
Spanish plunderers on the shores;
American soldiers with false aid
And a lecherous gaze;
Philex, Canadian mining giant
Developing nothing but their own profit.

Healing hands, working hands, fighting hands.
Palpitating,
Eyes open and assessing,
Trying to heal the body,
To mend the lives,
To strengthen the community,
To free the nation,
And change the world.

~ Aiyanas Ormond

Is Capitalism a Disease?

Communities sick from hunger,
Sick from pollution,
Sick from dirty water,
Sick from overwork and stress,
Sick from junk food in shiny plastic packages.
And there are bill board advertisements,
And there are 25 choices of toothpaste,
And there are police to protect private property,
But no food, no doctor, no medicine.
Is capitalism a disease?

~ Aiyanas Ormond

Short Update

We are in the 'city' for one night on our way to Escalante, a highly militarized area where I will be giving 2 trainings for the health workers, first aid and anatomy and physiology, and maternal-child health. Aiyanas will be documenting human rights violations.
Stay posted for our updates on this northern region. Thanks for the comments!