Apuntes de campo es el blog donde los estudiantes de Estudiantes en Acción con Campesinos (SAF) comparten historias de su trabajo directo en el campo con los trabajadores, el trabajo organizativo de base y las actividades de defensoría. Y también donde los trabajadores agrícolas comparten sus propias historias y esperanzas de cambio, escribiendo en el lenguaje que les resulte más cómodo a cada uno.
I am a constant state of growing and challenging
Lucy Thames I amA messy mix of assumptions and biases -Learned, unlearned by kin and by society,I am a constant state of growing and challenging:Myself, my sphere, the powers that be. I haveTwo hands to hold another or write a letter,Two ears to listen deep before I speak;Two feet to march or dance or walk alongside,Two eyes to show my mind where justice seeds. I workBehind the scenes, in emails and in spreadsheetsTo unite efforts and create spaces for others to speak.I wonderAt the power, wisdom and energy of community;I wonderWhen decision-makers will find their empathy. I hopeFor a day…
Continue Reading I am a constant state of growing and challenging
A fierce advocate
Rachel Wright Junio Who am I? I’m a lot of things. Most notably, I’m a mother, a wife, an educator, an advocate, and an aspiring salsera. I come from a small town in East Tennessee where our claim to fame is the first impeached President, Andrew Johnson. I come from a family of farmers on my mom’s side and a family of blue-collar workers on my dad’s side. Both of my parents worked hard to provide my brother and me with a comfortable life, but still instilled the principles of hard work and discipline by making us pick up dead…
An extremely proud older sister
Selena Ibarra I am Selena Ibarra, first-generation daughter to migrant farmworkers and eldest of 11 children. I was born in Pendleton, Oregon where my parents first migrated from Mexico to pursue the American Dream. A dream that would prove to come with great strife for my family as we struggled with poverty and language barriers. Being the first in my family, I had to miss school when one of my siblings was sick to serve as the interpreter for my parents at doctor’s appointments, although the medical terms were often too complex for me to understand. Graduating high school and…
Establishing New Pathways
Tyshenna Phillips This past year was one of the most unpredictable and uncomfortable time periods in my life. I was well into my last year of college when our everyday lives and routines were drastically shifted due to the pandemic. Despite having to rapidly adapt to the changes occurring, I was able to complete my last semester of undergrad at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where I received my Bachelor's Degree in Sociology.My name is Tyshenna Phillips and I am the first person in my family to graduate from college. I have a total of ten siblings;…
Creating Connection in a Pandemic
Evelyn Archer-Taminger In all my conversations with fellow seminary students, clergy, and many nonprofit workers, the same anxiety is represented again and again: How do we create/maintain community through a screen? In a time in which we cannot see or touch each other, how do we connect? The engagement I have seen through working with Student Action with Farmworkers is remarkable, despite the provisions COVID-19 has laid out. The staff members and fellow student interns work tirelessly to plan online-friendly icebreakers, break out rooms, emotionally engaging presentations, and thought-provoking questions. While I have never met many of my fellow interns…
My Typical Day
America Juarez-Maldonado My typical day at SAF always starts my morning with ease. Every time I start my work or have SAF team meetings I get excited to see some of my mentees and other SOL interns. I open my laptop to start the day, and start planning or message the Levante students that I mentor to see what they need or to advise them. My typical day also varies over time – especially last year as I was advising high school seniors with college applications and scholarships or checking on them to see what else they needed.In advising the…