By Michael Bakal
In a meeting taking place late last week, the American Jewish World Service’s (AJWS) regional director, Marisol Garces, awarded a $15,000 grant to Voces y Manos (VyM).
In early April, 2012, Voces y Manos co-founder Michael Bakal and VyM treasurer Josh Hoerger met with Ruth Messinger, the President of the American Jewish World Service, to share Voces y Manos’ work, and to thank AJWS for its seminal role in the formation of VyM. Indeed, it was an AJWS program that gave rise to Voces y Manos.
In 2007, Michael had the privilege of volunteering with AJWS on a service project in support of AJWS’ long-time partner, Fundación Nueva Esperanza (FNE). Their project consisted of building bridge to allow students at FNE’s middle school to cross the river that blocked their daily bike ride to school. The resulting cement bridge not only had an immediate impact on students’ lives, it also had symbolic significance.Built by Mayans and Jews, seemingly disparate groups that share common histories of persecution, poverty and survival, the bridge stands as a testament to the power of diverse cultures coming together to create a more just and equitable world.
Such experiences are not easily forgotten. For Michael it left such an impact that he has returned to Rabinal nine times, each year bringing a new groups of volunteers whose dedicated efforts have built Voces y Manos into the organization it is today.
In a very direct way, Voces y Manos’ work is a continuation of the bridge building and the spirit of genuine partnership that is at the heart of AJWS’ work. In this same spirit of partnership, AJWS set up a special meeting for Voces y Manos with Marisol Garces, AJWS’ Guatemala country Director, and Sandra Lopez, the Director Fundación Nueva Esperanza in Guatemala. It was at this meeting that Marisol broke the news that AJWS had authorized a grant to support Voces y Manos Youth Leadership Association.
This grant from AJWS will allow Voces y Manos to get to work right away strengthening the Youth Leadership Association. Comprised of Voces y Manos’ 30 current scholarship recipients and recent graduates of the scholarship program, the association strives to create social change through youth-led community projects. Thanks to the support of AJWS, Voces y Manos will now be able to provide the association with the resources they need to get to work on their first community projects. Funds from the grant will also be used to hire a part-time community worker to provide mentorship, guidance, and technical expertise to ensure the association succeeds in its endeavors.
Voces y Manos is deeply grateful to have the support of Ruth Messinger, and the American Jewish world service for their support, and constant inspiration. With partners like AJWS, FNE and our supporters back home, a future where young people pave the way to their own communities’ health seems all the more attainable.
