Reciprocity Resolution...

In a recent newsletter, we discussed gratitude as creative action and giving.  As we ring in the new year and set “resolutions,” our team wanted to explore the importance of reciprocity this January.  What does reciprocity look like in practice amongst colleagues, communities, faculty, and students?

Reciprocity derives from the Latin root reciprocus, meaning “moving back and forth” or “alternating.”  Unlike an equal exchange of “this” for “that,” reciprocity varies and balances privileges throughout time.  For instance, when we respect the earth and mindfully plant seeds, we may be lucky enough to reap an abundant harvest.  When we nourish soil and toil the land, the earth grows nutrients that then nourish our minds, bodies, and souls.

This month, we explore how Pachaysana practices reciprocity, and we invite you to join us in setting our resolution to be more reciprocal together.  How can we as a collective community plant seeds and opportunities this month that can be harvested throughout 2019?

Image: Community members of Tzawata celebrating with Pachaysana the abundant corn harvest from a youth farming project that developed from a workshop in our Spring 2018 semester.

All We Do Strives to Be Reciprocal

Pachaysana aims to be reciprocal in every aspect of our work.  We open educational, creative spaces where local and international minds can share experiences and knowledge. In facilitating balanced dialogues, we invite new voices and ideas to be a part of and ultimately forge their unique version of sustainable change.

While we design our work to be fair both economically and socially, we face many challenges.  Much of our history is shaped by relationships that have neither been just nor reciprocal, and many of them continue to be exploitative and abusive.  These dynamics thus make reciprocity quite complicated.  We hope that slowly but surely, our work can be collectively healing.

Image: “Sumak Kawsay” workshop and creation of a “chakana” from our Fall 2017 semester, where we discussed idea of life in abundance and reciprocity of giving and receiving from the earth while living in a balanced harmony with all beings.

Rehearsing Change: Current Amazon Semester

Rehearsing Change, our fair trade study abroad program, allows international students to learn alongside and within communities, participating equally in both classes and excursions.  Our workshops practice reciprocity by allowing for diverse ways of learning, such as playing with movement and motion.  We also alternate each semester between two major regions of the country: the Andes and the Amazon.

The Spring 2019 “Amazon” semester is officially underway.  This semester, a fused version of the Identity and Theatre workshops will take in place in La Mariscal Sucre, with a focus on gender relations and intergenerational dynamics.  The second half of the semester, we transition to Tzawata, where the women of the community will participate in the Projects course, and community youth will participate in the Narration workshop focused on what it means to be Kichwa.  

Image: Our new international students: Lily, Maddy, and Emmy; sharing the journey that has lead them to this program in our Spring 2019 orientation.

Reciprocity with Communities: Fall 2019 Andes Semester

We are excited to officially announce that the Fall 2019 semester will take place in the Andes between two rural, agricultural communities: Pintag and Vicundo.  Pintag prides itself on creating sustainable solutions to community challenges, organic farming, and educating others about the importance of knowing where your food comes from.  They just finished building their own greenhouse specifically designed for producing organic animal feed.

Vicundo, a community situated right on the equator, is dedicated to sustainable farming, researching and sharing astronomical knowledge from pre-hispanic cultures of the region, and changing colonial perspectives of geography and maps.  Both communities have years of experience navigating education and tourism with international students.

Get a head start on your application today, and apply now before spots fill up!  Our first application deadline is March 15th.

Image: Fall 2018 semester students heading to a minga with those from Pintag Amaru to dig an irrigation system for the organic animal feed project.

The Pachaysana Family Wishes You A Happy and Healthy 2019! 

Let’s get interactive!  We would love for you to also share your resolutions with us!  How do you envision reciprocity in this new year?  How can we foster mutual exchanges of privilege, not only in the work sphere, but in all aspects of our lives?

Together, we can brainstorm different reflections of what reciprocity can be.  Please send your ideas, poems, photos, or creative reflections on reciprocity with us: info@rehearsingchange.org.  Participate with us, and we will feature your submissions on our Pachaysana and Rehearsing Change facebook pages!  Cheers to a happy and healthy 2019.

Image: The Pachaysana family wishing you a healthy 2019 and inviting you to share your thoughts on reciprocity with us!