A Volunteer Humanitarian Aid and Sustainable Development Organization Our Mission: To provide worldwide humanitarian relief and sustainable development initiatives in order to save lives, reduce vulnerability and alleviate human suffering, while fostering volunteerism through International High School Mission ("IHSM") programs. "Be the change you wish to see in the world." (Gandhi) February 2004 Newsletter Welcome to our first Newsletter! We hope that you will enjoy what we share, and that you will be inspired to help us continue serving the poor and fostering youth volunteerism. The Generosity of the People We Serve At Mir Pace International, we witness the purest examples of generosity where one may least expect it: from those who reach out to us for help. Though the communities we serve have little, they always seem willing to help others who have even less! In February 2003, Mir Pace assisted the Medical Missionaries of Charity, a group of American doctors and nurses, in bringing medical care to the Mayan people of Tamahú, Guatemala. During our final evening in Tamahú, the village came together and prepared a feast of thanksgiving for our gift of medicine and care. Turkeys were slaughtered, and countless bowls of beans, rice, tortillas, and tamales were prepared for us. Immediately following this fantastic meal, several young boys and girls performed the traditional dance of Tamahú. Each face radiated pure joy and delight in presenting their new American friends with a spectacular meal and celebration. Truly, this meal and traditional dance were a sharing of their intensely protected identity. Allowing us to experience their ancient Mayan traditions and culture speaks volumes - we were trusted! The evening celebrations closed with one additional gift. We were each given a beautiful hand-woven blanket. I do not know the cost of these blankets, but it had to be substantial since there were 40 of us! The average income in Tamahú is less than $2.00/day. Food is scarce, malnutrition and infant mortality are dreadfully high, and yet these humble people gave to us their food, labor, and love. For many in our group, the realization of the depth of sacrifice these people gave induced painful reflection on their own lives and a stark awakening to the contrast of Western culture. Thank you, people of Tamahú, for teaching us humility, sacrifice, and simplicity in our lives. We received from you far more than we gave! Last year, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Mir Pace International provided much needed educational materials, sporting equipment, shoes, and funds that were used to assist in medical care and to construct a small chapel. All of these gifts were distributed to the Mayan people of Tamahú, Guatemala. Our supporters also allowed us to purchase supplies that will be used to construct a home and plant a community garden during our upcoming April mission. Our heartfelt thanks to each of you! We invite you to visit our web site at www.mirpace.org to learn more about our organization and our programs. Mir Pace International: A Mission Born in Bosnia and Confirmed in El Salvador Written by Eileen Weisslinger, Founder of Mir Pace International The Bosnian conflict ended in 1995, yet today the scars of war remain evident and absolute. More than one million people are still displaced, living in tented camps, unable to obtain permanent housing, employment, education, or medical care. In October of 1999, I returned home to Boston after a weeklong pilgrimage to the village of Medugorje in Bosnia, and without warning, my life was forever changed. I was awakened to the realization that after a disaster is no longer front-page news, millions of victim children and families throughout the world are left in poverty and squalor, trapped in a daily struggle to survive amid horrible, often inhuman living conditions. These victims of war, natural disasters, poverty, abuse and abandonment become the "aftermath" of disaster. Several months later, I was on my way to El Salvador in order to join a group of volunteers, like me, in bringing humanitarian aid to people living in refugee camps. When I arrived at El Salvador's International Airport, I was met by the group leader, Cameron Gray, and learned that I was the only group member to actually show up. I was given the blessing of a four-day, private course in humanitarian aid! Cameron is a wonderful man from an organization called Orphans of the World, and has been delivering humanitarian aid to El Salvador for the past 12+ years as a representative of another organization known as Airline Ambassadors. He very graciously welcomed me and took me under his wing. Together we spent the next four days working in the refugee camps, which were constructed during the civil war that ended in 1992, after Hurricane Mitch in 1998, and following the more recent earthquakes of 2001. Today, more than one million people reside in refugee camps throughout the country, without access to clean water, medical care, education, or hope for moving out of the camps and into more permanent housing. We also went out into the streets with a remarkable organization called Cristo de la Calle. They are a group of truly altruistic and charitable young Salvadoraño men and women. The members of Cristo de la Calle come together every Friday evening to prepare meals (at their own expense) for the people living in the streets of San Salvador (the capital city). Sadly, far too many are street children! During one of our visits into the refugee camps, we were working diligently to distribute clothing, shoes, and other tangibles. The crowd was very large and we were doing our best to insure that each person received something new. In the midst of this chaos, I felt something touching my back. When I turned around, there was a beautiful, but extremely dirty, little girl of about 5 years old, wiping dirt off my shirt left by the hand of another small child. I was astonished and speechless because she was so filthy, yet wiping the dirt off me. As I looked down at her, she looked up with big brown eyes and spoke in a tiny voice, "Deseo que usted pueda ser mi madre." ("I wish you could be my mother.") My heart broke. The last day in El Salvador was reserved to tour the countryside. Our destination was the village of El Mazote, where there is a small war museum and a memorial to the many lives lost during the Civil War. On the way to El Mazote, we passed by a quadriplegic young man sitting in his makeshift wheelchair on the side of the road. He had been propped there by his family. The young man is positioned in this spot, day after day, in the baking sun, in order to beg money from passersby. The small change he is able to collect is the primary source of income for him and his family. I learned that throughout the country of El Salvador there are few social or human service organizations serving the poor, the homeless, the ill, the displaced, the abandoned, etc. Following this visit to El Salvador, and with the help and support of family and friends, Mir Pace International was born. We are currently serving the peoples of Tamahú, and our work includes: clean water and sanitation projects; nutrition intervention programs to alleviate problems of food insecurity and hunger and improve the nutritional health of the local Mayan population; teaching of basic healthcare techniques in order to safeguard against the spread of disease; and small business initiatives to assist the local community in building strong local organizations that can promote self-sufficiency. We are also working to purchase two buildings: one which will house nuns from the order of Misioneras de la Caridad y de María Inmaculada" (Missionaries of Charity and Mary Immaculate), a Congregation that originated in Mexico City. The other is a school and medical infirmary that these nuns will operate. We plan to revisit El Salvador and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the near future, and hope to also expand our missions into Peru and Tanzania. The mission of Mir Pace International is, in fact, the mission of all humankind, "Whatever you do for the least of these brothers of mine…you do it to me," and this insight is one of the most important lessons I learned during my visit to El Salvador. I hope to carry it with me always and to every corner of the world. Future Newsletter articles will be composed by IHSM volunteers. Volunteer Opportunities High School Students!!! What Will You Do During April Vacation? Join IHSM In Tamahú, Guatemala!! During the week of April 17, 2004, Mir Pace's International High School Student Missions ("IHSM") will assist the Missionaries of Charity Fathers and the local community in a weeklong home construction project, as well as a gardening program that will assist the local community in building a new economic resource in order to promote self-sufficiency. We will also visit the local school to teach basic English and participate in recreational activities with the children of Tamahú. For more information about being a part of this rewarding experience, please visit our web site at www.mirpace.org or e-mail us at IHSM@mirpace.org. We look forward to working with you!! Students: Be sure to watch for updates on our web site about future mission programs. We are always developing and expanding our projects and the countries in which we serve! IHSM Programs Currently Under Development: Bosnia-Herzegovina El Salvador Peru Tanzania Parents, Educators, All Who Share Our Spirit And Mission!!! We Need Your Help! Mir Pace International offers many exciting and rewarding volunteer opportunities within our organization, and we are always looking for professionals from various sectors who want to share their expertise at home or abroad. Many of our volunteer opportunities support our key mission services of teaching, health education, basic safety, first aid, home construction and repair, as well as agricultural, clean water, and sanitation improvement projects. Currently, we are looking for volunteers with expertise in the following areas: Marketing Specialist Program Development Treasurer Volunteer schedules are flexible, and we provide additional mission-specific training for volunteers who would like to travel with us. In whatever capacity you wish to serve, we ask only that you bring commitment and enthusiasm! To learn more about volunteer opportunities, Please e-mail us at Info@mirpace.org or call us at (781) 925-0090. DONATIONS Mir Pace International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In order that we may continue our work in serving the poor, we depend on your support. If you would like to make a donation, please visit our web site or simply use the address below. Your charitable contribution is deeply appreciated and is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted according to the Internal Revenue Code. Mir Pace International 1173 Nantasket Avenue Unit C-6 Hull, Massachusetts 02045 Tel: (781) 925-0090 www.mirpace.org