Nov. 20, 2011
I have a lot to be thankful for this year. We just finished our fifth week of the first Puentes pilot class. Each week when I get home from class I’m mentally exhausted. I need to decompress and reflect back on the experience. Is the class improving? Are we giving the class the best possible tools for communication? Sometimes it’s hard to let go of my perfectionism and notice all the small victories we are making together. Shaina and I can see that the class is making big strides in their Spanish ability, and little by little, we are becoming better instructors.
I’m so lucky to be surrounded by a group of people who show up every week with determination and conviction. Learning a new language is extremely challenging. I’m finding out that teaching a foreign language is hard too. But each student accepts the intensity of our accelerated 8-week course and meets us at a high level of ambition. I’m extremely passionate about the Spanish language; I get to share that with others. While we’re sharing and learning, we’re fostering connections with Spanish-speaking individuals and communities. I’m passionate about that, too, and so is the class. I’m thankful for these individuals who are dedicated to reaching out to their clients and neighbors by creating bridges for communication. Their efforts to learn and grow are truly making our communities safer and stronger.
I’m also grateful to have the privilege of being a citizen and native English speaker. The frustrations and challenges of trying to improve our Spanish have been reminding me how hard it can be to live in a country without knowing the language. My heart goes out to all of the families and individuals who have in some way fallen victim to our foreign policies and broken system of immigration enforcement. This is not an easy time of year to be separated from loved ones, for any reason. But can you imagine a mother or father being detained in a prison, without access to a phone to even speak to their children? Or a son or daughter who migrated to the U.S. while the rest of the family is back home?
The disparity statistics mentioned previously in this blog are more reminders of why we are doing this work. No person in this world should have to face hunger, especially when we are producing more food than ever before. Everyone should have the ability to access health care, education and a living wage. We have a long way to go on the road to equality. But, if we can change one thing with Puentes, may it at least be to better connect families in Colorado to services that will improve their quality of life in some way. Last but not least, I give thanks to Shaina for involving me so greatly in this endeavor.
I hope that everyone has a blessed and safe week off from class… with lots and lots of práctica!
In peace, love and solidarity,
Alice Wheet
Associate Director, Puentes, LLC
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