Fellow Activists

Last Sunday morning, when I normally am participating in the Westerly Anti-Racism Coalition weekly gathering, I noticed fellow activists gathering outside of the church on the plaza in Jardín. What really caught my attention was the sign that said “Festival of the Wax Palms” in Spanish. I stopped by to talk to them.

I learned from Jader that Fundación ProAves has been working to educate about environmental issues in Colombia for thirty years. They set up outside the church on a busy Palm Sunday with games and activities for kids and lots of educational materials for adults. Jader explained that in the past, palms from the endangered wax palm trees (the majestic tress I saw in the Cocora Valley) were used by celebrants on Palm Sunday.

With lots of effort and education, ProAves was able to work with the church to change this practice so that palms from non-endangered trees are now used. The organization does lots of other work, including saving an endangered bird species that was on the brink of extinction. I finally understood why there was a bird mascot walking around outside the church on Palm Sunday.

There’s still time to donate to Fundación Poder Joven where I’m volunteering, directly on their website or Venmo me your donation by April 3 (@tflanagan1995). See my previous posts for more details. Thank you to those who have already sent donations! (Over $150 so far!)

When I explained to Jader about my work with Fundación Poder Joven, he gave me extra bird-watching coloring books for the kids and lots of stickers.

It was great to speak to a grass roots organization that has made a huge difference in Colombia over the years and continues to do so. It gives me hope in the activist work that I do with Westerly ARC.

Here are some scenes from Palm Sunday in Jardín and from some shorter hikes I took (after recovering from the long waterfall hike the previous day).