Projects Guatemala Inauguration of Corn Grinder
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Inauguration of Corn Grinder Print E-mail
Monday, 22 December 2008 09:38

Most of our focus in the Xe Abaj community has been on improving agricultural methods and introducing new viable crops. While entire families benefit from the program, men seem to be involved more than women. Earlier this year, a women's committee approached us and asked if it were possible to install a corn grinder in their hamlet. Xe Abaj is made up of a number of smaller hamlets and this area had been isolated. In order to grind their corn, women would walk at least an hour one way to the only other grinder in the center of the community. Given the high altitude, weather affects their health. Often, mothers would walk with small children on their backs and during the rainy season, they would become sick. Word and Deed considered their proposal and endorsed it. Last month, we joined them for the celebrations. To our surprise, they had organized a two hour long program that included the participation of women, children and youth. Above, the president of the women’s committee addressing the crowd.


A drama of how women used to grind corn by hand using special grinding stones. They would sit on their knees.

Patricio Paxtor, our agricultural technician receives a morral (shoulder bag) from a member of the women’s committee.


The women’s committee in front of the building that houses the corn grinder.


Pastor Ken Herfst
 
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