GATE (Global Awareness Through Experience)

Mexico City and Chiapas

Contrast the dynamics of life in Mexico City with the rural reality of Chiapas. Meet with people who offer hope through alternative models of work, society and governance. See the importance of water projects and schools in isolated areas. Learn of the unique contributions of the indigenous people to Mexican reality today. Understand the struggle for land and rights. Appreciate the natural beauty of this Mexican State.

Museum of indigeneous culture.

In Mexico City:

Guided tour of National Museum of Anthropology
Learn of contemporary reality
Hear from Women for Dialogue on women's reality in Mexico City and Chiapas
Visit Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Understand the reality of children of the street by a psychologist who works with youth
Learn how violence affects everyday family life

The Chiapas portion includes:

Listen to a curandero (healer) speak of his work with the indigenous people and the customs of the area; see his museum-size collection of traje (typical clothing)
See a presentation on the modern history of Mexico with a focus on current events
Visit the villages of San Juan Chamula, where unique indigenous rituals take place daily, and Zinacantan, where weavers do their work and sell their wares
Learn about the state of Mexican economy and how it affects the people
Visit with offices and groups working in Chiapas and a chance to dialogue with them

Resources on Mexico and Chiapas:

CIEPAC: in English is translated to mean The Center for the Economic and Political Investigation for Community Action. It is based in San Cristobal in the Mexican State of Chiapas. It is an activist research organization/think tank whose goal is to get their information and research that is not covered in the corporate media in Mexico out to people. This site is in Spanish, however you can search for translated articles. To keep up with what is happening in Meixco, sign up for their email newsletter.

Testimonial:

"GATE helped me learn things I had never known before and see things in real life that I had only heard about. It raised my social awareness and has caused me to look for ways that I can change things"

-Christine Meeuwsan, Mexico/Chiapas 2006

Upcoming Trips

Dates for 2009 to be announced.

Trip Cost: $1275.00* Plus Registration Fee

PLUS domestic airfare to Chiapas, around $200.00 USD

*Airfare not included. All trips include transportation (except taxi to airport at the end of the trip), accommodations, and food (except one evening meal).

"Our destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things." -Henry Miller

GATE Retreat

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GATE Renewal

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Introducing Kirkridge

The Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center focuses on social justice issues.