August 8, 2002 |
August 8, 2002 |
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In Concepcion, there are a series of murals
on Preseidente Franco Street; one mural constantly caught my attention
as I passed by it, and even long after I left the city, I have thought
about what the image means. The mural features three workers leaning into
an askew cityscape skyline. The image, which on the surface is deceptively
simple, is an artistic slight-of-hand because it is unclear to the viewer
whether the people depicted are sustaining the weight of the deteriorating
buildings or erecting them for the first time. The ambiguity of the mural
suggests that perhaps the people are simultaneously repressed by the city
while they work to commercialize it. The idea of urban strife at first
seemed out of place in Conception, known locally as "the forgotten
city," where one is as likely to see a local person driving a horse-drawn
cart as a car. Yet, even in this place in rural Paraguay, the effects
of globalization are apparent as the artist grapples with the meaning
of technology, urbanization, and other aspects of modern life. It is the
binary oppositions apparent in the mural-the modern constantly flanking
the archaic while the urban collides with the rural-that perfectly encapsulate
the experiences I will take home from Paraguay. I observed Internet Cafés
located on cobblestone streets, satellite TV dishes mounted on 10 x 15
shanties, and Discmans sold on the same table as guampas. From these paradoxes,
I see a country re-inventing itself and its place in the world. Like the
people in the mural, the people of Paraguay are both inhibited by and
enhanced by changes that come through modernization. The veritable smorgasbord
of encounters I have had in Paraguay will appear in my teaching in both
subtle and specific ways. My newfound knowledge will enhance classroom
discussions on a variety of subjects, ranging from the workings of a young
democracy, to the treatment of indigenous peoples, to the importance of
advocacy. Many of my experiences, like being excluded and disadvantaged
linguistically as a non-native speaker of Spanish or Guarani, have reminded
me of the importance of patience and inclusiveness in the ESOL classroom.
I will keep the image of the mural in Concepcion in mind as I travel back
to the United States; it serves as both a tool to assist me in sharing
Paraguay with others and also as a visual-aid for the ever-present and
growing gap between those who are willing and are able to adapt and those
who will not or cannot change at today's rapid pace. The dual nature of
the cityscape as metaphor for Paraguay's development represents two extremes,
which in a small country in South America, can co-exist to form a genuinely
unique and hospitable place.
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Like
many struggling third world nations, Paraguay is a country caught between
the elusive promise of national development on one hand and the burdensome
weight of the anchor of tradition on the other. Historically, it is a
country that has purposely avoided establishing consistent patterns of
commerce, trade and political interaction with its South American neighbors.
Consequently, Paraguay now lacks the necessary economic and political
structures to make meaningful and timely progress as a major force in
the international community. Bound by a limited amount of natural resources,
a weakly enforced set of governmental regulations concerning environmental
issues, infrastructure matters and economic and education policies, Paraguay
is clearly a nation that is out of step with the developing global society
in which we live. Sadly, at least in the near term, it appears that there
is little chance that promise will ever outweigh history, tradition yield
to advancement or that poverty, corruption and desolation will give way
to meaningful progress and social and political stability.
The context of Paraguay presents an interesting basis for examining questions of national workforce and educational policy development, the role of teaching and learning in advancing social change and the nature of the moral and ethical responsibilities of educators in serving displaced and disenfranchised learners. Although comparative and cross cultural educational analysis is not necessarily a new model to employ in looking at issues such as these, there is a clear and growing need to do so in today's increasingly globalized world. Accordingly, I foresee that the information from this project will serve as a basis to do so in the instruction and research-related work that I do with our graduate students. |
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 Elfrieda Nafziger International Programs Kansas State University Manhattan, Kanasas elfrieda@ksu.edu |
Although I have lived and traveled in developing
countries in Africa and Asia this was my first trip to South America.
Paraguay faces challenges similar to developing countries elsewhere: poor
infrastructure, inadequate health care, lack of access by many to education,
and governmental corruption. I was therefore impressed by a number of
individuals I met, who determined to make a difference in their communities
despite the above obstacles. There were the three women who run the immaculate
and efficient Escuela de Hoteleria Gastronomica for indigent women in
Asuncion. In Villarrica there was the mayor who has started publishing
his agenda and budget to make for greater transparency; he also keeps
Fridays open to listen to his constituents. And I cannot forget Lidia
Sarubbi del Hoege, who single-handedly took a failing school and created
the model Colegio Tecnico Y Centro de Entrenamiendo in Villarrica. Because
she wrote a successful grant , the school is the only On-Line vocational
school in Paraguay. I sincerely hope that the efforts above inspire others
to work for change as well.
Wherever we went we experienced gracious Paraguayan
hospitality which we will not forget. When I return to the Office of
International Programs at Kansas State University I plan to work with
faculty on projects involving Paraguay, whether they be faculty research,
student fieldwork, community service or internships in areas such as
park management and veterinary medicine. My visit has given me a greater
awareness of possibilities for future interchange |
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P Paraguayan People-The very kind
Spanish speaking people in Paraguay who helped me struggle through a conversation
with my seldom used high school and college Spanish. I spent time spent
with a former student and her family in Filadelfia.
A Azucarera-The factory that processed sugar cane. Other products of Paraguay include Trebol leche (milk) and yerba mate for tea. R Rivers and Roads-Rivers define most of the borders of Paraguay and provide electricity for the country. Dirt paths became dirt roads and some of those became paved highways. The railroad ceased operating because people and cargo could be moved easier and faster by road. A Asunción-I walked into a church on a Sunday morning looking for news of missionary friends who have lived in Paraguay for 35 years and found them. We spent a delightful day together learning about the country they love. G Guarani-The money of Paraguay currently comes in very large denominations and the value of it fluctuated often during our stay. I feel for the people here who work so hard to feed and clothe their children. U Unpredictable Winter Weather-One day I am wearing shorts with the temperature at 25 C and the next day I have three layers of clothing on with a temperature of 10 C. A Atyra-During the winter vacation break at the public school in Atyra I watched parents and children cleaning the school grounds and planting together. Y Names of Places That Begin With Y-Yaguarón, where an 18th century Franciscan church still stands. Yacyretá Dam that generates electricity on the Rió Paraná. Yatiaty, where women create by hand beautiful cotton linens. Over the next ten years I will share Paraguay with more
than 200 children. I will continue to invite foreign language student
teachers from the university to hone their skills in my first grade
class and will encourage colleagues to do likewise, as I have experienced
the need to know a second language. I made a promise to an international
student in my first grade in Manhattan, Kansas as she was preparing
to return to South America that if I ever came to Paraguay I would visit
her. Ten years later the promise I made to a seven-year-old became a
reality. After graduation she plans to become a teacher. Teachers do
touch the future |
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Paraguay is a country of contrasts. I
have seen cars, busses, and motorcycles next to horse/ox carts, bicycles
and people walking. There have been large ranches with beautiful homes
complete with magnificent courtyards, two room structures where most family
time is spent sitting in chairs in the front yard, four wall structures
made from whatever scraps of building material was available and homes
made from nothing more than a couple of tree limbs and a plastic tarp.
I saw people dressed in clothes seen in most cities in the U.S. and then
at other times I saw children whose parents could not even afford to buy
them a pair of shoes.
But....the people of Paraguay were friendly and helpful wherever we went. Life moves at a slower, simpler pace in many of the towns we visited and although there is much "underemployment" Paraguayans are a hard working people. The ECHO 2002 participants were a great group of people to be with. We became friends who were willing to be flexible and just go with the flow. When I return to my classroom I will talk to my students, colleagues, and friends about the wonderful experiences I had. I will stress the importance of keeping foreign language in the elementary schools. For to be able to participate in a global community means being able to communicate with others, at times, in a language other than English. I want my students to take opportunities to travel and learn about other cultures. I want them to learn a lesson I did while traveling in Japan. An employee from the American Embassy told us to remember, "It's not better, it's not worse, it's just different." To this I would add "Enjoy the experience and learn as much as you can from it." |
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Thirty days ago I left a small city in
Kansas for a country in South America that I knew very little about. I
prepared for the Paraguay experience as best I could but quickly learned
that the information I gleaned from books and web sites was sorely inadequate.
I was overwhelmed and even taken aback with the sights, sounds, smells,
lifestyles and Paraguayan customs that were far different from my own.
Every speaker that addressed the ECHO 2002 group during the week of introduction,
acclimation and orientation reinforced my newly forming belief that Paraguay
was a country with many many needs.
Spending time in several Paraguayan cities and traveling along many kilometers of narrow and bumpy roads began to give me a greater appreciation for the country's diversity in landscapes, people and traditions. It was becoming more obvious that the country's problems would not be as easily solved as I thought during my week in Asunción. On our travels I learned that the treasure of Paraguay
lies in the people and in its beautiful land. I observed that Paraguayans
have learned to be survivors and are very self-sufficient with only
a desire to have their simple needs met. My observations make me believe
that the long standing traditions and the self sufficient nature of
the people, along with Paraguayan's tolerance for a lack of sustained
national infrastructure, adds to the complexity of the country's problems
and the difficulty in finding workable solutions. |
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Exploring the landscapes of Paraguay with
ECHO 2002 was a little like attending a Brazilian buffet; there was so
much to take in, digest and savor. From shantytowns to wealthy estates,
pristine subtropical rainforests to polluted waterways and litter-strewn
streets, noisy urban centers to farm country, the Paraguayan landscape
presented its many faces. So many images keep replaying themselves in
my mind, such as indigenous people selling their crafts, red dirt and
cobblestone roads, makeshift soccer fields and volleyball courts next
to ramshackle houses with laundry hanging and chickens running freely
around the yard, the children singing and dancing, people gathering to
protest, Iguazu Falls through brilliant rainbows, exotic plants and animals
and so much more. I thought it was significant that the word "Paraguay"
means water that runs to the sea. I can visualize the river currents leading
to the ocean and then dispersed globally. Only this vision includes not
only water, but also history, culture and kindness.
It seemed that no matter where we went we found such wonderful people. Despite the challenges imposed by political unrest and economic instability the people we met touched my heart with their warmth, generosity and easygoing manner. The Paraguayans enthusiastically shared stories, songs, dances, food, gifts, smiles and lots of time with us. More than one Paraguayan attributed the country's survival during difficult times to the strength and support of the family. The importance of education also arose as a common theme whenever conversation turned to problems facing Paraguay. Many see education as a key to improving conditions. What strikes me most is the potential that Paraguay holds, both environmentally and culturally. Even though selected land areas are now being protected and environmental research is being conducted that will provide guidance for future decisions there still appears to be a great deal of need to find solutions to the problems that arise from poverty, conflicting values and governmental turmoil. Learning to balance economic needs, natural resources and preserve the integrity of a multicultural population is a worldwide challenge, one that requires unprecedented global cooperation. This opportunity to get a taste of Paraguay has inspired me to think and teach with much greater regard for others. This expedition also provided resources and contacts that will enhance my teaching and my life through increasing awareness of history and conditions that need improvement or protection, understanding the forces that create change and developing appreciation and empathy for cultures that undergo continual change. Sometimes little things can make a big difference. Perhaps as I share my collection of artifacts, stories, songs, dances and memories (not to mention the best cornbread in the world), small bridges of understanding will connect with people I have met here in Paraguay and this will continue to grow, promoting peace and fellowship. It's definitely a full plate. I am not sure what is in store for Paraguay, but I do know that the heart of South America now holds a piece of my heart. I come away from this buffet full of new experiences and still hungry for more. |
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Arriving with an open heart and doing my
best to be void of expectations, the people of Paraguay greeted me with
warm smiles and open arms. In this country I was treated like a special
guest. What touched me most about these people was their genuine kindness
and patience even though we often didn't share a common language.
This country pulses with life, from its wide and wild rivers that flow around and through it, to its sub-tropical rainforests teeming with rare and endangered flora and fauna. From its strange and enchanting Chaco, to its loud and bustling capital, Paraguay is a country of vast contrasts. I found this a country rich in history, which is reflected in its cathedrals, Jesuit ruins, city layouts, architecture, indigenous art and relics, as well as its many rich and some rare, languages. Paraguay is a country of people of vast ethnic backgrounds that add a unique flavor to its vitality. This country abounds in natural resources, which will require immediate attention and action if they are to be preserved and wisely used. Paraguay's population is made up of mostly young people, and I believe that given educational opportunities, they will strive to make changes in their governmental systems, which have been and continue to be corrupt and controversial. Though the population has been historically passive, I saw a hunger strike and I witnessed political protests in the capital square. I spoke to people who would gladly support a political coup though they were injured in protests during the last one. I met a mayor who believes in government disclosure and has made radical changes by letting people voice their opinions on a weekly basis in his open office. I met people who are working for changes in environmental policy, teachers who struggle to teach in overcrowded classrooms, and work overtime to make ends meet. I met students who want to study to become professionals and work in their country. I heard the voice of hope from Paraguayans of many persuasions. I visited cities, towns, indigenous villages, dams, national parks, wildlife refuges, cathedrals, Mennonite colonies and various educational institutions. I only saw a thin slice of Paraguayan life and I know I was exposed to only a wee bit of its reality, yet this is a small country that is ripe for attention, change, and care. From this awesome and overwhelming experience I will take with me many precious memories. I know not yet exactly how this has affected me, but I know it has changed me. In my classroom I hope to share my wonder of this South American treasure. I will make a display in the school showcase to share the many objects I collected: a flag, map, soccer mementos, various handmade instruments, photographs, indigenous crafts, fabrics, clothing, hand carved animals, and sculpted objects of clay. I hope through lessons and activities I can increase the sensitivity of the students I encounter, to the beauty, of not only our cultural differences, but also our sameness and common struggles. I hope I can stimulate in them a desire to study other cultures. Through my curriculum I plan to tie environmental issues to the art we create, as we construct instruments and art pieces from products in our local environment. Through the study of Paraguayan culture and traditions I hope to instill a love in the diversity of our world and challenge them to think about their own original indigenous background. Through my attitude I hope to exemplify how my experience in Paraguay has given me a closer bond with our global and interconnected world. |
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My experience in Paraguay is a list
of pleasant surprises. The most pleasant surprise is the people. I recall
instances in the U. S., when I have been frustrated because I could not
communicate with non-English speaking tourists. The Paraguayans laugh
with us as we use our broken Spanish and animal sounds to do the most
ordinary of daily tasks (ordering lunch). These patient people have taught
me a lesson in graciousness and hospitality. Another profound revelation
is that lack of money does not translate to lack of happiness. The people
here seem happy. The children laugh and play and the adults greet each
other with smiles. I also expected the food to be strange and, quite frankly,
"terrifying." The food is amazing, and more delicious than strange.
I am surprised and thankful for the beauty, kindness, and comfort of Paraguay.
As an educator, I am forever changed by my experiences during this month. I have developed a passion for such topics as English as a second language (ESL), ecology (especially pertaining to water), and how to use politics to minimize the gaps between upper and lower classes. We have been shown how important it is to teach critical thinking skills in order to evaluate an existing, or proposed, political system. I am now carrying the knowledge of how similar people of the world are in their needs, pleasures, and conflicts. I am more committed to policies of non-discrimination of ESL students, I plan to use hydrology labs in my science classes, and I see many avenues to integrating critical thinking skills to discussions of current issues in science. I do not believe that any lesson plan that I could develop would not be touched by my experiences this past month in Paraguay. |
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Paraguay is a friendly and lovely country,
and my experience here has exceeded my expectations. Granted, I admit
that before this opportunity arose that I probably could not have placed
Paraguay on a map nor have associated it with anything other than soccer.
Now my primary associations are with fresh, hearty food, a blended culture
that has preserved the Guarani language and customs, and especially its
courteous and tender people. Seldom in my travels abroad have I felt so
inconspicuous or comfortable, because people did not treat us as oddities
or walking bank accounts. We have a lot to learn from Paraguay about pure
hospitality and about a tranquil lifestyle. "Tranquilo" (peaceful)
is a very accurate word that many Paraguayans use to describe their country.
Of course, there is a great amount of chaos and corruption
in the political system, but we have witnessed forces for change in
newspapers that are very critical, hundreds of peaceful protesters in
front of the Senate (followed by an unnecessarily forceful crackdown),
and the mayor of the town of Villarrica, whose platform is transparency
in governance. I have hope that this young democracy will strengthen
in time. I pray that this country preserves and promotes the exceptional
diversity of its environment and its people. Truly the heart of South
America, Paraguay is a place I will remember fondly and to which I would
gladly return. |
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Paraguay is far more beautiful than I ever
imagined and I have found its people to be friendly and kind. Like the
United States, Paraguay has many immigrants from all over the world as
well as indigenous populations, which live mostly on reservations. Unlike
the United States, both the immigrants and the native people seem to be
maintaining their individual languages and cultures. As a country, Paraguay
has many problems such as their economy and politics, but I am most concerned
with the loss of habitat and thus the decrease in biodiversity that is
occurring as the country struggles to raise its standard of living.
Paraguay has a phenomenal variety of plants and animals,
and the entire country is subtropical, but the plants and animals differ
in different regions depending on climate and rainfall. Paraguay is
also blessed with an abundant supply of fresh water - being an integral
part of the Paraguay-Parana watershed that it shares with Brazil, Bolivia,
Argentina and Uruguay. How these environmental concerns are managed
as the country becomes more developed will have long-term environmental
effects on Paraguay and its neighbors as well as the rest of the world.
I hope that through education the people of Paraguay and its neighbors
can find a way to protect this watershed and maintain the biodiversity
we now see here. The people of the developed world should not expect
Paraguay and the rest of South America to bare this burden alone. It
is our responsibility to do all we can to help them. I do not have the
political influence to make a huge impact, but by making my students
more globally aware I hope I will be able to make a difference. |
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Paraguay is without question an exotic
and beautiful land blessed with abundant natural and human resources.
The country continues striving towards the development of more equitable
systems in education, health and social welfare while at the same time
confronting the destructive consequences of it's leadership's personal
political and economic ambitions. Paraguay's participation in regional
(Mercosur) and global markets is important to its economic development
and long-term sustainability, yet the country must continue to work hard
to balance economy and environment in a formula of sustainable growth.
As a Cuban-American, I feel an immense sense of solidarity with the Paraguayan people. I admire their perseverance in the slow struggle towards prosperity and their resilience amidst adversity. I applaud their efforts to preserve and maintain their unique cultural-linguistic patrimony and national identity despite the seemingly increasing pressures of dependence on stronger, more imposing neighbors. Undoubtedly, this experience has culminated in an increased
awareness and understanding of the factors affecting the daily life
and long-term well being of the people of this great country. I hope
to share this knowledge with my peers to foster a greater understanding
and to help build bridges between cultures. |
