ANADESA: Concepción says goodbye

Indigenous Woman As Leader

My name is Concepción, I am 48 years old, and I have been a member of ANADESA since 2006, when we were just a group working with handicrafts and preparing food for visitors to generate income for our households. All of us in the group were victims of Storm Stan and we helped each other to support our families.

I am a kind woman and speak a little Spanish, which helped me grow and interact with Spanish speakers. I have 2 daughters, 2 sons and a grandson. Four years ago I was asked to be the legal representative for the association ANADESA (Asociación Nuevo Amanecer de Santiago Atitlán). During the election, although my colleagues encouraged me, I made many excuses not to assume the position. I didn't want to because I didn't understand legal or administrative matters. In the end I had to accept because someone must represent our organization legally

During my time as a representative, which was two terms, I learned a lot about the life of an organization and how the community works. Before taking this position I was complaining a lot about the leadership of previous people but when I took the responsibility I realized that there are issues and situations that do not work our way because there are laws, taxes and purposes that have to be complied with.

Now that I am leaving the position, I encourage my fellow associates to take it and not to be afraid to assume it. I am letting them know that it involves a tremendous amount of learning and personal growth. I tell them that not everything is what it seems and that the workers always help when they are needed. I remind them that for any issue they must communicate with each other and how important it is to make decisions. Many times women say "I can't make that decision", "it is not my place to do it", but I tell them that it IS possible once we know what the situation is as well as their causes and effects.

We women are strong and brave, we have carried ANADESA forward for more than 15 years and we will continue to do so thanks to the contribution of our associates and our donors!

Reported by Concepción Morales and written by Mayra Reanda