LEARNING FROM THE COMMUNITY
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Wednesday, July 22
Today's Journey
Today the team will spend the day in San Juan La Laguna, where they will receive a blessing during a traditional Maya fire ceremony. They'll tour Clínica Sanjuanerita, meet members of ODIM's medical and financial staff, participate in an activity with youth in the Salud del Adolescente (Adolescent Health) program, and visit a weaving cooperative where women support their families through the creation of beautiful textiles on traditional backstrap looms.
Why This Matters
Today's experiences highlight the many ways communities care for one another through culture, education, health, and stewardship of creation.
The Prayer Partner Guide introduces CODIDENA (the Diocesan Commission for the Defense of Nature), a Catholic organization that works alongside Indigenous communities to care for forests, protect water resources, provide environmental education, and support local leadership. One of its initiatives equips young community scientists—known as the Tekuanes—to monitor water quality and share information that helps protect their communities.
The weaving cooperative our team visits today is another example of community resilience. Through their artistry and craftsmanship, women are able to support their families while preserving cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Reflection
In 2010, Monsignor Bernabé and Father Juan Manuel Arija founded the Diocesan Commission for the Defense of Nature—CODIDENA, an organization of the Catholic Church focused on working with Indigenous communities in the department of Santa Rosa to defend Mother Earth.
CODIDENA has a team of ten specialists in environmental issues and grassroots organizing. They know the territory very well, as they are originally from the region and are part of the local communities—most of whom belong to the Indigenous Xinka People and have a profound connection to the care of Mother Earth and water.
We offer training in environmental issues, forest nurseries, water monitoring, human rights, civic engagement, and advocacy. We also support conflict resolution, inter-institutional dialogue, and provide consultancies on institutional responsibilities, waste
management, and forest use. Additionally, we help communities secure funding to preserve forest reserves in their territories.
CODIDENA formed a group of young community scientists, the “Tekuanes”, who
are equipped with specialized tools to measure and monitor water pollution caused
by mining and share data to inform and protect the population.
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