Israel Batz Ajquiy; From planting seeds to planting Awareness on Reproductive and Sexual Health

By: Tai Pelli 

May 27^th, 2014

Israel Batz Ajquiy

When I asked about where he was from, the Mayan-Caqchikel dynamic young man, promptly responded with a wide grin, he was from Tecpán, known as “The first Capital of Guatemala”. He went on to explain that Tecpán had been founded on July 25^th 1524, but had been the capital of the Caqchikel Empire. The place is known for “Las Ruinas de Iximche”, a Mayan archeological site and ceremonial center. “Iximche” means corn stalk, (ixim means corn, che means stalk), an interesting detail when for time immemorial, corn has been the main source of nourishment for the inhabitants of these lands.

It is no wonder Israel Batz Ajquiy, has been actively working with CEPRODI (Centro de Proyectos de Desarrollo Indígena Integral –Center for Integral Indigenous Development Projects ). His organization is dedicated to promoting Food Sovereignty, based on organic products and the creation of gardens in a family context, soil preservation and the defense of Mother Earth by reinforcing traditional knowledge and practices. They serve an approximate ten communities with about 300 families each.

Israel’s communities have been impacted adversely with malnutrition due to the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) in their corn. The government promotes it as “bettered corn”. Illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, etc., are on the rise as a consequence of the loss of knowledge on traditional food production methods and instead, replaced with the consumption of these modified seeds for their four corns: black, red, yellow and white, their beans: red, black and white. and the use of chemicals and non-organic herbicides.

The minimum salary has been established as 2,500 quetzals, yet due to the lack of jobs, many community members take on jobs that will pay them 1,800 quetzals, which is way below the minimum. A huge hurdle for his organization, is the fact that even when the residents have great interest in taking part in the workshops, the need to work in order to support themselves and their families takes precedence. The community members who have a legitimate interest in changing their situation end up between a rock and a hard place, left with no time to attend the workshops that would teach them how to create their own organic gardens which in turn would allow for healthier lives and give them some type of economic independence. The vicious cycle that distance them from attaining food sovereignty is then perpetuated.

This young man made it to Project Access Global Capacity Building Training, with the full intention of addressing the importance of Food Sovereignty and how to create ways that empower Indigenous Peoples to take charge of their own destiny and health. He addressed the value in teaching communities about being proactive at reinstating their own traditional knowledge in a family setting, and how to free themselves from below-standards economic conditions. Israel also spoke about the importance of preserving language in Indigenous communities. Yet, during the two weeks of Project Access Training and his participation in the first week of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Israel learned about the “Report of the International Expert Group Meeting on Sexual Health and Reproductive Rights”, and through Side Events was able to truly see how imperative awareness and being proactive on Sexual and Reproductive Health Issues are.

When I spoke with this young man, I saw a true transformation in his thought process, a compassionate desire to bring back this newly acquired knowledge to his community and start planting the seeds of awareness. I saw the impact of the realities many of us have seen up close when we start learning about what issues are affecting Indigenous communities worldwide. One may come to the United Nations with a couple of issues, never realizing how those same issues are multiplied throughout the globe, making it clear it is not exclusive to a particular community but is a common denominator among indigenous communities. One can also see the impact not doing anything could have. I believe this is what I saw in Israel. He felt the urge to run the curtain, I saw his legitimate interest in returning to Guatemala and begin a process of Sexual Education, not wanting the conditions of women and girls in the communities he serves, to reach the devastating results other communities are experiencing.

To me, to see this young man, from a country that has endured the patriarchal ways of the tentacles of colonization, have this sincere desire to bring back this knowledge and want to apply it, was heartwarming. I have no doubt that Israel will be teaching about planting way more than organic seeds of corn and beans, he will be planting the seeds of hope and equality, he will empower both women and men.

When I asked him if he could put in a statement the message he wants to bring forth, he looked at me in the eyes, and with this incredibly sincere and humble look in his face, he replied: “That the rights of women be respected in Guatemala, …that they not be pushed to the side!” As a woman, I realized I was being witness to a spiritual transformation and a representation of hope for our future!