The other day, I went out with my host dad to collect GPS points of the plants he has on his farm. This work is very important, as this community has "homework and deadlines" just like you, too! The GPS refused to work, which I found very frustrating since we had walked far into the forest to get to his farm. After many failed attempts, my host dad decided that we were going to find a lime tree instead. We walked and walked and came across a beautiful lime tree. He grabbed some limes for us and told me a beautiful story about the tree of life. After he was done, we walked back home and said we would just have to try again tomorrow.
I share this story because it is easy to see learning and completing a project as a straight line from start to finish. However, this is rarely the case, because our lives contain a lot of squiggles, rays, and curves! If we become too caught up in everything going perfect, we miss the important messages hidden along the way of our learning journey.
Finally, I want to share some of the common themes I have heard from various indigenous Kichwa members, especially from the members of Puma-Wasi in Mushullakta:
1. What we are doing may not generate as much income as jobs that exploit the forest, but it is leaving a herencia, or an inheritance, legacy or future for the coming generations. We are protecting our culture, language, practices, health and futures of our children by reforesting.
2. We are caring for the world by doing the work that we do.
3. We want the world to know that the forest gives life. The forest gives medicine, food, shelter and knowledge. The water also gives life.
5. We are all alive, from humans to the rocks. Everything has energy, life and intelligence.
