living unbound summer 2015

L I V I N G U N B O U N D1

summer 2015

witnessHONORrespect


Dumagat tribal elder Remegia in the Philippines makes a splash with children from her community, including her daughter, sponsored youth Marimar (back row, right).

IN THIS EDITION ON THE COVER

Unbound is an international nonprofit founded by lay Catholics grounded in the Gospel call to put the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable first. We build relationships of mutual respect and support that bridge cultural, religious and economic divides. We invite all people of goodwill to join us.

We encourage you to share this publication with family and friends. Contact us at (800) 875-6564 or [email protected] if you would like additional copies.

Beautifying a communityDiscover how members of the Unbound community are making their world more beautiful.

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A green initiativeSee what enterprising members of a community in the Philippines are doing to turn a parasitic plant into something both useful and profitable.

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Mom recycles for a better futureRead about a woman in Mexico who, with energy and ingenuity, is helping to support her family by repurposing discarded items.

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SUMMER 2015

Come listen to an untold storyExpand your world by learning about the reality of others.

3

Creating a bridge for expression, connectionFind out how Unbound shows respect for the languages and stories of our communities around the world.

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Respect for sponsorsMary Geisz, director of sponsor experience, reflects on the importance Unbound places on nurturing relationships with our sponsors.

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CREDITS

PRESIDENT/CEO

Scott Wasserman

DIRECTOR OF SPONSOR EXPERIENCE

Mary Geisz

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Cara VanNice

EDITORS

Veronica Batton

Jordan Kimbrell

Loretta Shea Kline

Larry Livingston

DESIGN

April Befort-Neumann

Anne Peetz

CONTRIBUTORS

Tristan John Cabrera, Philippines

Naresli Calito, El Salvador

Luis Cocón, Guatemala

Regina Mburu, Kenya

Alexandra Stonestreet, U.S.

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Amanda Burian


One of the greatest gifts a person can give another is to listen to their story. For the materially poor, that is a gift rarely received. They are without power or influence, and it’s easy for those outside their world to ignore them.

But while one might expect those living in poverty to become embittered by the relentless disregard of others, the overwhelming experience of Unbound has been that when we do seek to listen — to become gentle companions of those who struggle — the response is one of simple gratitude.

(continued on next page)3 L I V I N G U N B O U N D

COME LISTEN TO AN UNTOLD STORY

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Bedan, a sponsored child in Kenya, with his schoolmates at recess. His favorite subjects in school are drawing and reading.

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When we open our hearts and minds to the stories of those whose lives are very different from our own, we grow. Our world becomes larger than just what lies within our reach. We begin to understand

ourselves, others and our relationship with creation differently.

Respect begins with awareness. When we come to know others and begin to understand the integrity of their lives, we discover how admirable they truly are. We at Unbound are privileged to share the stories of those who, because they live in poverty, often lack the means to speak for themselves. Their stories are no less beautiful for having been untold.

Stories of honor in the midst of ugliness, and dignity in the face of struggle. They are stories of perseverance, resilience and ingenuity. They are stories of people close to the earth who show us that all things, even those discarded by others, have value. They remind us of the virtues of simple living and the importance of being good stewards of nature’s gifts.

The Unbound model of sponsorship invites both sponsors and sponsored friends to learn more about one another’s reality in ways that engender mutual respect. In the midst of that expansion of mind and heart, the world becomes a gentler place and, perhaps, a bit more loving.

With this edition of Living Unbound, we invite you into that gentle and loving world. We hope you enjoy it.


CHERISHING ELDERSRemegia, a tribal leader, and Mary, a sponsored child, are members of the Dumagat community, an indigenous tribe in the Philippines. Reverence for elders is a common value in the countries where Unbound works. As a traditional Filipino gesture of respect, Mary lifts the hand of Remegia to her forehead.


GUIDING THE YOUNGIn Kenya, when a young person greets an elder it is customary for the adult to offer a blessing for the child. Daniel, the father of a boy sponsored through Unbound, blesses Melisa, a young girl of the village.


EMBRACING INNOCENCELove and patience go a long way to make life

better for children with special needs who also live in poverty. In El Salvador, 9-year-old

Ezequiel (center) enjoys playing with older brother Eliazar and Paola. Ezequiel and Paola

are sponsored through Unbound.


HOLDING ON TO JOY

Dayani is a 15-year-old girl with Down syndrome living

in Honduras. While she requires constant attention,

her mother, Carmen, says that caring for her daughter brings her joy. Dayani’s sponsorship

through Unbound provides much-needed support

for the family.

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THE FABRIC OF LIFEBright, intricately woven textiles characterize the traditional dress of the Mayan people of Guatemala. Each color and shape represents an aspect of life or nature. Mayan clothing reflects a deeply rooted sense of connection to the earth.


WORN WITH PRIDEKhaleel, a 10-year-old sponsored boy, proudly models a kurta pajama, a customary outfit worn by men in India consisting of a long tunic and a pair of loose pants. On his head he wears a topi, the Indian variation of the traditional Muslim taqiyah cap.


Unbound is R E S P E C T

Sponsored child Everth and his mother, Carmen, participated in a neighborhood clean-up day organized by Unbound staff in Nicaragua. Along with other families they collected materials from the streets for recycling or proper disposal.

BEAUTIFYINGA COMMUNITY

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Unbound is R E S P E C T

BEAUTIFYINGA COMMUNITY

The city of Estelí, Nicaragua, is a troubled one. Many families served by Unbound live in one of its neighborhoods that is unsafe and run-down.

The neighborhood is underdeveloped. Its dirt roads run with raw sewage. A majority of the sponsored children attend a school on the main road in the neighborhood, an area that has a lot of garbage strewn about.

But the community is trying to make small steps forward, and Unbound is helping residents work toward creating a safer and cleaner neighborhood.

“We tell the families that every time we use our Unbound T-shirt, we have to honor what we represent,” said Keily Rodríguez, social worker for Unbound in Nicaragua. “We have to reflect the brown, blue and green colors in our logo. Those colors represent that we care about our environment.”

More than 200 sponsored friends and their families participated in a clean-up day hosted by Unbound.

Unbound hosted the event to create a sense of community involvement and to raise awareness about the effects of environmental pollution.

“We have to make a difference, starting in our community, and encourage preserving the environment,” Keily said. “… We have to make a change [because it] is a serious social problem.”

During the morning, sponsored friends and families cleaned up the area around the local school, collecting recyclable materials and properly disposing of the trash. In the afternoon, families split into teams and put their creativity into action. They turned recyclable items they collected in the morning into art.

One group made a trash can from recycled plastic bottles and placed it near the school.

“We contribute and one day we are going to see the change we wish,” Keily said. “That’s a difference.”


Unbound is C R E AT I V I T Y

Water hyacinths, a persistent pest, clog waterways, kill fish and rob sunlight from native aquatic plants in lakes all over the world.

A community in the Cardona area of the Philippines, just outside Manila, experienced such an infestation. In 2012, when Charito L. and her family joined the Unbound program, her husband wasn't able to continue his job fishing because of the plant. It became increasingly difficult to support their family.

"My source of income way back then was selling fishes but, because of the huge number of water hyacinths in the lake, the fishes died out," she said.

That same year, staff from the Unbound program in Antipolo met with parents to discuss livelihood programs they would be interested in starting.

Charito A. was among the mothers attending the meeting.

"I asked them [the staff members], 'Here in our community there are unlimited numbers of water hyacinth floating in the lake, is there any chance that we can use it and generate income from it?'"

A few days later, the mothers learned that the Philippine government was offering training in making products out of water hyacinths. Fifteen mothers took part in the training and learned how to turn the plant stalks into large sheets that could be used as a leather substitute.

Those mothers have grown to a group of more than 50 parents working together to harvest and process the water hyacinths, generating income to support their families.They have found creative ways to use the water hyacinths to make backpacks, purses, shoes, wallets and other items.

Delia has been working on the water hyacinth effort since it started and has seen a big difference for the area.

"I grew up here in Cardona; that's why I already witness how the water hyacinth grows this big," she said. "It grew even more as time passed by; it almost covered the lake. But because we are now using it and turning it into a product, it's lessened the number in the lake and fishes came back.

"Almost all our husbands are fishermen, so it is good that we are helping them by preventing the water hyacinth from piling up."

A GREEN INITIATIVE

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Unbound is C R E AT I V I T Y

Jolly, a member of the fathers group in Unbound’s Cardona program, cuts water hyacinth stalks to be made into sandals and other wearable goods. Once a fisherman, Jolly has found a new source of income in the water hyacinth initiative.


MOM RECYCLES FOR A BETTER FUTURE

The old adage, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” rings true for Maria’s family.

She and the other six members of her family work hard reclaiming items from the streets of their Mexican neighborhood.

“First, I am a mother. This is my first and most important job,” Maria said. “I enjoy doing overtime mother’s work, even if I don’t get paid for it,” she laughed.

But in order to pay the bills, Maria has a very different job — she is a pepenadora or one who searches through trash for a living.

“I walk the streets and collect cardboard, bottles, cans, old TVs, old furniture, iron, chairs, bicycles and, well, anything that can be fixed or recycled. I take the recyclable stuff to a center, and my husband fixes some of these things and then we sell them.”

Maria begins work around 6 at night and is sometimes gone for five hours, working with her husband. She and her husband pick up items every night and sell them on weekends. She estimated that “on average we earn about $7.50 per week by selling the materials.”

This certainly wasn’t enough to support her four

Unbound is R E S O U R C E F U L

With the help of her son Maricio (left), a

sponsored youth, and her brother Abelardo (right), Maria is able

to supplement her family’s income

with materials she collects for recycling

and repair.


children and the other family members living with her. Since becoming part of the Unbound family nearly 13 years ago, sponsorship has changed what the family is capable of achieving.

“Without sponsorship I wouldn’t be able to send my kids to school,” she said. “My kids have been sponsored since they were in kindergarten and now, thanks to sponsorship, they are in high school.”

Education is one of the most important benefits Maria attributes to Unbound. Equally as important is the sense of community that has developed.

“Sponsorship has given me the opportunity to interact and get to know the people from my community. We have become very united,” she said.

Maria is grateful for her children’s sponsors and the Unbound program.

“Thank you for helping our family. My children are receiving help for their education,” she said. “Thank you, Unbound, for providing a helping hand for the elderly and children of my community. It means a whole lot to us.”

Unbound is R E S O U R C E F U L


A translator waits patiently while a little

boy in El Salvador composes his letter

to his sponsor, even though it’s been

three hours. The boy wants so much to

express his thoughts well and get every word right.

A sponsor of a child in Bolivia learns some phrases

in Quechua, the language of her sponsored friend,

and puts them in her letter to the child.

A staff member in Guatemala provides workshops,

tutoring and information in Spanish and in the native

language of the community.

These are just some of the ways Unbound around

the world shows respect for language.

“Language identifies who we are,” said Luis Cocón,

communications liaison for Unbound in Guatemala.

“For example, when I say that I am a native Kaqchikel

speaker, people understand where I come from, what

part of the country I may have been born or live in.

We talk in our native language at home and while

interacting socially with others in our community.

“When Unbound serves the people in their native

language, it is a way of saying we respect who you are

and where you come from. It is a way of saying we

are equal and we want you to feel at home with us.”

While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala,

it’s not universally spoken or understood, Luis said.

CREATING A BRIDGE FOR

120

TANZANIA

swahili

english

languages spoken by more than tribes

42

KENYA

english

kiswahili (swahili)

local languages spoken by tribes

UGANDA

luganda

english

local languages

BOLIVIAspanish

several dozen indigenous languages

Quechua

Aymara

Guarani

EL SALVADOR

spanish various indigenous languages

21

GUATEMALAspanish

Garifuna

Xinca

Mayan languages

This is a small sample of the hundreds of languages spoken in regions where Unbound works.


Unbound is D I V E R S I T Y


(continued)

Luis estimated that at least a dozen languages are

spoken by Unbound staff members in Guatemala.

“People feel comfortable when speaking in their

native language,” Luis said. “They are authentic and

are able to express their feelings and are able to tell

their personal story with a lot more pride and joy.”

PRESERVING LANGUAGES AND CULTURES

In Bolivia, Spanish is the dominant language with

about three-fourths of the people speaking it, said

Roxana Paniagua, communications correspondent

in Cochabamba. The other quarter of the population

speaks several dozen indigenous languages.

“Staffers mostly speak Spanish because the people we

serve are bilingual,” Roxana said. “For example, the

child may speak Spanish and also Quechua. But in every

project there is at least one native speaker, and usually

the coordinator also speaks the native language.”

It’s easier for people to tell their stories in their native

“When Unbound serves the people in their native language, it is a way of saying we respect who you are and where you come from.”

CREATING A BRIDGE FOR

PHILIPPINES

185

tagalog (filipino)

english

local languages

INDIAhindi

english

Tamil

Telugu

various local languages and dialects

MADAGASCARmalagasy

english

French various dialects


Unbound is D I V E R S I T Y

CONNECTIONEXPRESSION,


language. And storytelling is essential in Unbound

— from oral storytelling to stories told through the

written word, music, dance and the visual arts.

Language is an important part of cultural identity and

expression, Roxana emphasized.

“The world has followed the tendencies of globalization,”

she said. “English and Spanish are also following the

globalization trends. So, preserving our culture and

our language is important because this is what we

have to say to the world, who we are and where we

come from.”

When people share in another’s culture and language,

their connections deepen.

“It is beautiful when I see a sponsor try to learn a

language like Quechua or a staffer trying to learn

Aymara because he wants to provide better attention

to the child or aging,” Roxana said.

In Kenya, Kiswahili (Swahili) is the national language,

though English is mandatory in all Kenyan schools

and children start learning it in nursery school, said

Regina Mburu, communications liaison for Unbound in

Africa. There are 42 tribes spread across the country,

each with distinct aspects of language and culture.

“In households you will find that people communicate

in three languages: Kiswahili, English and their mother

tongue,” Regina said.

Tribal clashes in recent years prompted the

government to ban local languages in schools so

students wouldn’t be identified with their tribes,

Regina said.

“This has not really helped in alleviating discrimination

based on tribes because we all have our second

names, depending on the tribe we are from,” she said.

LEARNING TO CONNECT

Marius Wanjiku, coordinator of Unbound’s program

in Meru, Kenya, said that while most families in the

regions she serves understand Swahili, not all can

speak the language, particularly the elderly.

“We [the staff] learn a lot of their language,” she

said. “The stories from them, when they are speaking

about their life experiences … go more in-depth in

their language.”

Swahili is also the primary language in Tanzania,

where local dialects and English are also spoken.

“We have more than 120 tribes in our country, each

with its vernacular language,” said Aika Temu,

correspondence staffer in Unbound’s Dar es Salaam

program. “Dar es Salaam being a commercial/trade

city, it accommodates most of these tribes and some

are among the people we serve.

“Since independence, the government introduced

Swahili as the official language. The decision to use

it as a medium of instruction in primary school, and

English as a medium of instruction from high school,

helped a lot in its spread and being mastered by many.

Also, it helped people to have a common language of

communication wherever they went.”

In Uganda, about a half dozen languages plus English

are spoken in areas served by the Kampala program.

“The people we serve have different cultures,

and each of them can express themselves in their

language to bring the point home,” Coordinator


Lizbeth, a sponsored youth in El Salvador, concentrates on a letter she is writing to her sponsor in Delaware. The letter will be translated locally from Spanish to English before it’s sent.

Teddy Naluwu said. “It’s essential for us who serve

the families to be conversant in their languages and

culture so as to serve them to the fullest.”

On the island of Madagascar, Malagasy is the national

language. Malagasy is rhythmic, with long names and

complex spellings.

Children in grades one through nine write their

sponsors in Malagasy and the staff translates

their letters into English, said Liva Rajaonarisina,

coordinator of Unbound’s Antsirabe program.

Children in grades 10 and up write in English.

Vinod K. Dass, coordinator of Unbound’s program

in Delhi, India, said younger children, or parents

writing for very young children, enjoy more freedom

of expression when writing to their sponsors in their

first language.(continued)


Most letters from sponsored children and elders require translation before they can be sent to sponsors, but

dedicated staff are always ready to help with this never-ending task.

“If you ask them to write in their own language, they

keep on writing so many things,” he said.

BUILDING THE BRIDGE

Relationships are formed between sponsors and their

sponsored friends through letters. Many of these

connections would not happen without the dedicated

translators who work hard to shepherd messages

across language barriers.

Sarita Mendanha, coordinator in Hyderabad, India,

noted the difficulty conveying the fullness of thoughts

and emotions expressed in one language in another.

Finding just the right words to bridge the divide is a

complicated task.

“Indian languages are very expressive, elaborate and

intense,” Sarita said.

“Most of our sponsored are very proficient in

English and write beautiful letters to sponsors.

However, when letters are translated into English,

the essence gets slightly distorted.”

Although it can be challenging, Unbound translators

are committed to making sure the spirit of the letters

is preserved.

The complex task of connecting across languages is

illustrated in the Philippines, where Tagalog (Filipino)

is the national language but is among 185 languages

or dialects spoken, said Tristan John Cabrera,

communications liaison for Unbound in the Philippines.

In Quezon, the staff listens and tries to learn some

of the dialect of families to better understand their

personalities, said Marivic Ihap, coordinator.


“It is important to respect the language diversity, ... It is one way of valuing the rich culture of the people of every region.”

“Language plays an important role in building

relationships. It’s where relationships begin,” she said.

Three languages are most prominent among families

in the Zamboanga program in the southern Philippines.

“We usually use the common language, the one used

and understood by all,” Coordinator Rhodora “Alan”

Partosa said. “For instance, not all Visayan can speak

Chavacano but they can comprehend. Tausugs also

understand Chavacano and Visayan. In big groups,

we have to agree what is the common language

among the three.”

When speaking one-on-one, however, “it is best to use

the language that the family uses,” she said.

The main languages in the Manila program are Tagalog

and English, though other dialects are common.

“It is important to respect the language diversity,”

Coordinator Risa Vereña said. “It is one way of

valuing the rich culture of the people of every region.

Though we have a lot of dialects, what is important

also is communicating in the common language that

everybody understands.”

In the Antipolo program, communication in local

languages is encouraged so as “not to stifle creativity,

the thinking, imagination and inner powers of the

families we serve,” Coordinator Malou Navio said.

Families in the Legazpi program speak Bicol, the local

dialect, in addition to Tagalog and English.

“It is in their own language that they can be easily

identified and it is also through their own language

that they express themselves well and freely,”

Coordinator Gari Olavario said.

Older students are encouraged to write in English as

preparation for being global conversationalists.

For children, elders and family members writing in

their own languages, translators serve as the bridge

between them and their sponsors.

Efraín Martínez, who supervises translators in El

Salvador, said translators visit communities to stay

in touch with local realities. In rural areas, children

often don’t have the resources to learn and express

themselves the way they deserve, he said. They

sometimes have to write their letters on top of a big

rock, on a wooden bench or on their legs.

Translators witness these realities and it changes them.

“These on-the-spot experiences have improved the way

the translators do their work,” Efraín said. “Now they

are fully aware that they are not just translating words.

Instead they are translating feelings and emotions.

“There is a life behind each line.”


respect for sponsors

By Mary GeiszDirector of Sponsor Experience

Mary Geisz, Unbound director of sponsor experience, met sponsored youth Richard on a recent trip to the Philippines. Here he is holding a letter to his sponsor, who lives in Ohio.

Respectful relationships are central to Unbound’s mission. While many organizations have

myriad core values that express the beliefs or principles that guide their daily decisions,

Unbound has four. "Respectful relationships" is one of them.

How that gets reflected in our day-to-day work matters. Whether it’s the personal approach we take

on the phone, the practices we have in place to keep sponsor information safe, or the diligence we

apply in getting the most of each dollar to the families we serve, we aim to have a positive impact

in fostering relationships of mutual

respect between you and your

sponsored friend. This is central to

Unbound’s mission.

Regardless of where you might

encounter Unbound, we strive to

deliver an experience that embodies

respect. More important than

hearing the words “we respect you”

is the impression we leave when

you speak with us by phone, read

correspondence from us, visit our

website, manage your account

online, engage with us on social

media, travel with us to visit your

sponsored friend, or even visit

our Kansas City office. We view

ourselves as walking with you on

the sponsorship journey.

Our goal is that you'll think of your

Unbound sponsorship experience as

priceless and share it with friends

and colleagues. We always welcome

your feedback.

Thank you for joining the Unbound

community and making a difference

in the life of someone in need.


COMPOSTAn average American household can reduce garbage by up to 30 percent by setting aside fruit and vegetable waste and other organic materials like coffee grounds and egg shells to make compost. Homemade compost is a great, cost-effective and natural way to add nutrients to gardens.

MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANING SOLUTIONS Common ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice can be the basis for highly effective and environmentally friendly household cleaners. There are a variety of recipes available on the web. Natural solutions like these also help us be mindful of those who lack the resources to buy chemically based cleaning products.

OPEN WINDOWSOpen-air homes and gathering places are the norm in the developing world, but we have become so accustomed to temperature-controlled environ-ments that we forget how wonderful our homes feel and smell when we let fresh air in. Turn off the AC and open the windows. Take a vacation from recycled air and breathe in the real thing.

MULCH When you mow this summer, set your mower blade to mulch the grass clippings and then leave them to provide natural nutrients for a healthier lawn. In the fall, do the same with the leaves on the ground. (These materials, when mulched, are also good to add to a compost bin.) You’ll save time and effort without the hassle of raking and bagging.

LEAVE A LIGHTER FOOTPRINTMany communities served by Unbound are close to the earth and dependent on the natural world in ways that many of us have lost touch with. We can grow in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and become better stewards of creation by making simple changes that can add up to a big impact. Here are eight ways we can be more environmentally friendly.


UNPLUGEven when they’re turned off, electrical items still use electricity when they’re plugged in. Get in the habit of unplugging phone chargers, hair dryers and other small appliances that don’t need a constant flow of juice. It won’t take long before it becomes second nature to disconnect these things from the wall sockets when you’re finished using them.

PLAN DAILY ERRANDSBefore you head out to the store, run to the bank or take the kids to ball practice, sit down and make a plan. Map out your errands to minimize driving. Think about other things you’ll need over the coming days, like hardware and groceries, and work those into your route. You can save time and gas and come to better appreciate what life is like for people who live without access to motorized transportation.

USE A RAIN BARRELMillions of people around the world still labor to collect their daily water supply. They remind us that water is a precious gift and not to be wasted. By connecting a rain barrel to a downspout on your home you can collect rainwater to use for gardening and other outdoor purposes while saving on your monthly water bill.

BUY LOCALEven in the era of the big chain store, most communities still have local retailers. Think first about patronizing merchants in your area. Besides being good for the environment because of reduced travel, it helps build both community and the local economy. This is especially true of farmers markets, where you get the added benefits of freshness and flavor.


Earn points for finding sponsors or raising money for Unbound. You can use the points you earn to travel on awareness trips, get Unbound merchandise or to benefit one of our special programs. It’s our way of thanking you for helping us grow the Unbound community.

FIND SPONSORS. EARN POINTS.

BE REWARDED.

Learn more at Unbound.org/AmbassadorPoints or call (800) 875-6564.


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living unbound summer 2015

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