Kristen Hanson

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OCCUPY TORONTO This weekend the energy from occupy wall street has emanated through Canada and across the world. It’s a powerful energy of solidarity and the voice of the 99% of people that don’t own the majority of the worlds wealth. It is time for accountability and the power of the people can make that happen. There is global inequities and a growing gap between the rich and the poor that is only getting bigger.  Money is filtering from the bottom up and not the top down, causing major cuts in social spending to bail out corporations, banking systems and over paying CEOs. The income inequities in Canada have been acknowledged by both Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty as legitimate concerns that are growing quickly. The event was well organized from the march starting in the financial district to St James park, the space that is to be occupied. Here the energy was positive and powerful. In one corner was a mike open to anyone that wanted to be

On the 23 rd 4 of us departed Chiapas for Guatemala. After a 6 hour bus ride we arrived to the border, stamped our passports, switched buses and we were off to Quetzaltenango. These neighbouring countries once, and still somewhat shared the same Mayan culture. I was not expecting too much of a difference. The first thing that struck me was magnificent and wondrous mountain ranges. They were huge and went on for miles. The second thing that struck me was the garbage. Within the first 20 minutes we passed a dump, mounds or garbage being dumped over a cliff. I wondered where the run off went and the I thought of Recycled Life, a documentary about generations of families that were ostracized and living in a land fill in Guatemala City. They resorted to uncovering what they could reused or exchanged for compensation. Although a miserable way to live, it is not completely without merit.             Our first venture after exploring some of the city was to Volcan Santa Maria. We left o

This has become so what of an idiom in this learning journey and also a bit of a joke because of its frequent reoccurrence but fitting application. I apologize to those that I have told to follow my blog. But truth be known it IS complicated. I started an entry some weeks ago. It has branched out into so many directions that that is has been hard to complete any of them. Everything is so interconnected that it is hard to feel that the web is fully understood without all of the interconnected weaves.  For the sake of perseverance I have to bring it back, try again.   Its is interesting even strange to think how, as a civilization, we  place a value or worth on just about anything; people, time, occupations, a mountain, a gene, a life, righting our wrongs, even to make fatally destructive corporate practices go away(which as I recall hearing in one case in this area was 80,000,000$).  We have moved to a global place where this is entrenched, even for those who opt not to accept it or w

for us   we covered our faces   Oliveira to   name us , we deny   the name bet the present to have  a   future and for life or death Subcomandante Marcos I talked to a man in the Zocolo today, who made a huge beautiful sand art mural  for 8 or 9 hours, just to sweep it up when he was done so that morning workers wouldn't have more work. He seemed only motivated by the art, smiles and looks of wonder he received. He said it was to give thanks to the people of San Cristobal. Made the think:) This land was sold by the president (Governor) of Chiapas for purposes of "development". Every day I ask myself more and more what that means. I think in this case they were expanding the highway so it was easier for the military to get back and forth. They also donated the land for the military. Also made me think. 

February 1st We woke this morning to have breakfast with our Mexican family and listen to the news on the radio.  We were told that president Calderon was coming to town. I couldn’t decipherer from the Spanish radio but was told by our other house mate that his purpose was to visit a women’s co-op, speak in respond to a Red Cross campaign on violence against children. According to what was interpreted, it sounded noble. I appreciate the optimistic interpretation or the public relation radio.  I wondered if any media outlet in Mexico was fully delivered for and by the people.  The interpretation was coming from a Dutch man, here studying Spanish. He said that the president was coming to speak to the indigenous communities to show his concern for them. I though that this would be a noble gesture following the death for their primary advocate.   I asked if he believed that that the president did truly care about the indigenous people of the area. He said yes, he believed so. I hoped for

San Juan Chamula, a beautiful small town of indigenous Mayan people, praised in travel guides for its stronghold in its indigenous culture.  This was the one place that could not be conquered by Cortez during the conquest.  Picture taking is strictly forbidden in the town and especially in the Church. I think this more deeply allowed me to experience it, as I relied on all my senses to take it in. Following a day of touring most of the churches in San Cristobal, this was unlike anything I had seen. The church was dark and smelt of pine and incense. It was lit by a few dust-covered windows high up on the wall. Sunlight pierced through spaces around the window frames.  There was one row of tungsten lights that perimetered the walls about 3 and a half meters up. This light was overridden by what seemed like thousands of candles burning all  along the edges of the church,  filing tables, stools, the alter and all over the floor where groups were clustered . I could feel the energy of the

Not a day for writing so here are some learning experiences, observations and pics of San Cristobal for your viewing pleasure. (27-01-2011) San Cristobal, Mex. Murals cover the walls of the University of Human Rights, depicting the history of the area. Just something I think we all need to remember. Important values and characteristics of being an International Support Worker and just an all around nice person. Tolerance - No one approaches the world in the same way. That is ok! Neither is better or worst that the other, just different.   Acceptance - Not all views or approaches parallel each other, but we can learn from all of them. Patience- Things may not happen at the pace you want them to. Accept that! Support - No matter the relationship everyone needs to know that someone they trust has their back.  Ability to allow others to grow -Trust them to make their own decisions and let them learn from them. This will help other to take bigger braver steps.   (27-01-11) San Crist

Woke up this morning earlier than I expected after such a long day of travel.  I woke up 5 minutes before the alarm was set to go off, as I usually do when I am excited. I went for a walk at 8 around the zocalo (town square) just a few people were there some younger boys shining shoes, older men just sitting in silence, and other just passing through. The market  was so full of color, fruit of many varieties, clothing and paint. Mexico is so vivid. On the other end of the market was meat where they literally cut whole cows right there in the morning to put out for the day.  We stopped into a bakery and had a delicious Mexican breakfast before catching the bus and heading off  to San Cristobal de las Casas. I rode with Gary, our professor who is quite familiar with the area as he has been coming here for years. I got caught up with the events of San Cristobal, particularly around the death of Bishop Samuel Ruiz.  After getting caught up I fell asleep and when I woke up I was half way u

Toronto to Mexico (25/01/2011) What a magnificent group of people that I am blessed to learn and travel with, share experiences, and this journey. I arrived at the Pearson Airport @ 2:30 am to meet up with the group. After running through all the necessary prep and going out for my last smoke, at 3:30 they called our flight, 7441 to Chicago. We passed through security with no problems. Thanks e, I slept like a baby through the first flight, 2 hours at the Chicago airport and most of the flight to Mexico City :) That was most of the trip just one more flight to Tuxtla. Generally, before I leave for an adventure, I am filled with excitement.  For some reason this excitement feels a little more like anxiety.  Maybe this is a different kind of adventure that I am about to embark on. Its an inner transition more so than an outer one. I feel that after this experience I have a responsibility, whatever that might be to do something with what I experience. How can I personally experi

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (22/01/2011) Student of the International Support Worker Program hosted the Global Gala at the Belleville Club this Saturday. The event was held to raise awareness to the program, which is in its first year of operation. Proceeds of the event will go to support the students in their 5 week trip to Chiapas Mexico and internships that will follow. Photo By Gabriel Krekk  (Top right to left-John Duggan, Kailey Chapman, Michelle Newlands, Heather A. Barker, Janet Smallman, Lacey Guest, Shamsa Hassan, Kate Rogers, Scott Baker, Annie Chan, Charlotte Kuda, Middle- Jodie Schuyler, Caila. Bottom- Kristen Hanson, Gary Warren, Nancy Rheaume) Missing from Photo Sarah Hawkins and Tongkeh Fowale (Joe)