CELA Belize

A combination of dreams, fliers posted my professor, synchronicities, past travel abroad experiences, grant availability at Cleveland State University, and personal interest in traditional healing and agricultural practices.

Well, first of all it is important to note that there are some key underlying elements to our philosophy. The first is that local communities have a wealth of intellectual, material and cultural resources that are or can be mobilized to achieve sustainable well being, and that they know best what well being means to them and should be the ones defining both the pace and direction. Two, that they are engaged in actions that are already pursuing their well being.  That sustainability in addition to the conventional focus on environment needs to build on the assets and actions already in process and respond to the aspirations of values of the community. Three, that our engagement with communities needs to be sustained over time and not be a one-time action. It must be based on a long-term partnership. Otherwise, while the specific can be fun and produce the most amazing learning experience for our students it may contribute very little to local communities.

The first step to establishing a service learning program in Toledo where over half the population is of Maya heritage, is to recognize where a mutually beneficial partnership can be forged. Being able to determine whether or not the partners engaged in service learning have a common goal where one can learn from the experience to better improve their own development, but also provide service to a community in rural Toledo and meet a need that enhances the community well being. Making a suitable match requires that there is a common understanding of the community, its cultural and customary values and way of life, and at the same time understanding the expectation of service learning groups/students, their areas of interest, and expertise.