By Brenda Stone
Today was a slower-paced day here in Guatemala, with more driving and fewer activities, which gave me a chance to really take in the surroundings around Lake Atitlán and reflect on everything we’ve been learning. We spent the morning visiting the CCDA (Campesino Committee of the Highlands), hearing about their decades-long struggle for land rights, the criminalization many Indigenous leaders face, and the incredible resilience of the communities they work alongside. It was powerful hearing how community-led research, organization, and international solidarity have helped support people fighting for justice and protection of their land.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was understanding more deeply what the partnership between BTS and the CCDA actually means on the ground. It’s not just about projects or funding ~ it’s relationships, advocacy, legal support, education, and helping communities build power for themselves.
We ended the day back at IMAP (the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute) with soup and a reflection circle, feeling grateful for the conversations, the learning, and the people sharing their stories with us. I’ll add a few photos from the day because the landscape here is just as impactful as the conversations themselves.
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