I returned to Lethbridge on Saturday, December 10, exhausted from travelling and feeling glad to be home again, but also sad that this amazing experience had come to an end. PSAC’s Social Justice Fund and CoDevelopment Canada (CoDev) offered a group of young activists from our union an important and unique opportunity, and I was lucky enough to take part.
This trip has been an extraordinary learning opportunity that has really opened my eyes. It was both humbling and inspiring to see the passion and determination that people in Central America have to improve their living conditions and fight for their human rights. There is a shocking contrast between the quality of life in Central America and Canada, and the meetings and conversations we had on this trip have led me to reflect on the extent to which this disparity is caused by globalism and North American economies. Now that I am back home I feel like I have a different perception of Canadian culture, especially the consumerism which is so prevalent around the holiday season.
Another message which was emphasized through my experiences on this trip was that labour and human rights need to be defended and fought for. In this respect, Canada is similar to El Salvador and Honduras, because we need to act in solidarity to promote human rights causes and to defend the advances which our societies have achieved. I met many amazing people and heard many moving stories during this trip, so I am very grateful that I have had this opportunity. I hope that other young workers will get similar chances to develop global awareness and solidarity in the future.
-Rachel
*View Rachel's video diary from the trip