The Visit to UPAVIM

Visit to UPAVIM - August 13, 2004

The visit to UPAVIM brought us into touch with another issue that looms over the planet - womens' rights. The issues women face don't seem to be confined to any particular part of the planet, only those where there are men, power and money. UPAVIM seeks to provide a place where women can work, make a living and be mothers at the same time. There is a Montessori school for the kids, a day care, heath care, dental care and a bunch of women to be a support group if anyone needs it. Volunteers are always needed. So if you'd like, you can visit for a few weeks and help out. Funding is always welcome. Check out the web site for more information. This organization is closely linked with a Sister Parish in Bemidji, Minnesota and has been a part of Sister Parish activities since the Sister Parish organization began. It's a model for manufacturing businesses in general, even in the USA.

UPAVIM is located in La Esperanza, a community that was formed in the same way Tierra Nueva 2 was formed, by people displaced from their land coming to the city to find a way to live. We were reminded of the realities of life when, the next day, a report appeared in the paper that a 14 year old girl had been found killed in La Esperanza. We went from UPAVIM to march in the demonstration against violence. After reading that report the next day, we were even more convinced that the Peace March had been an important event, and that UPAVIM was an organization that met real needs.

Visit the UPAVIM website.

Teacher and Kids boy_and_girl

Workers Workers

Shopping at UPAVIM The visit to UPAVIM was a rich experience. We heard about all kinds of womens' issues. The womens' cooperative at UPAVIM addressed many of the those issues including work, child care, support during difficult times (like abuse) and many others. There are several sources of funding for the UPAVIM work including a Sister Parish in Minnesota, Holland and the sales of the products that the women make. Look at 10,000 Villiages for some of the work of the women at UPAVIM. Contact Mindy if you'd like more information. She works with cooperatives like this as a career.



	The visit to UPAVIM was a rich experience. We heard about all kinds of womens' issues. The womens' cooperative at UPAVIM addressed many of the those issues including work, child care, support during difficult times (like abuse) and many others. There are several sources of funding for the UPAVIM work including a Sister Parish in Minnesota, Holland and the sales of the products that the women make. Look at 10,000 Villiages for some of the work of the women at UPAVIM. Contact Mindy if you'd like more information. She works with cooperatives like this as a career.