Marta Benavides: My Reflections on Peace and the Passing of Wangari Maathai, A Dear Friend

I write this letter as I reflect on the work ahead and Sept 21st, International Day of Peace understanding that many people around the world are working to figure out what must be done, what must be lived for the enjoyment of peace.

 

 

We must pay attention, and learn to see and read the signs of the times.  There are four major crises that are framing the life we have and live: The financial/economic crisis, the food crisis, the energy crisis and the climate change crisis.  At the root of theses crises is greed and inhumane practices.  Millions of people are dying of hunger in the Horn of Africa,  the UN and major humanitarian entities are not able to raise the millions of dollars needed just for relief, let alone for solving this terrible tragedy.  Yet, millions of dollars are being used for bombing peoples and the planet; and for the creation of drones, the unmanned planes; the military bases and trained personnel, each of which amount to hundreds of millions of dollars.  Climate strife has been particularly harsh and destructive of communities and the planet, the world over, even in the most industrialized nations.

 

 

We need to work to build alliances with partners, our family, community, municipality, media, church, state/province, nation, region and the world.  We must intentionally create what we want.  In my country, El Salvador, we are doing just this, for the well-being of children and youth. Therefore, we work with youth and work to stop the terrible violence that we suffer each day. At least 15 violent crimes occur each day; youth and women who live in poverty are the ones who get attacked, thus we work on violence prevention and we create safe zones.  The UN has declared El Salvador the most environmentally deteriorated country in the Americas, the most dangerous country for women, and the most violent too.  Thus we create alliances to work to create a different reality.  This is why we are working so intentionally for culture of peace, at all levels and invite you to continue to walk with us, and support this work and this ministry at the level that we are to carry it now.

 

We have always been in the practice of "Living Simply, so "Others" can live simply too!"  We are about Mgr. Romero’s call to be Solidarious and to make all decisions from the preferential side of those who suffer impoverishment.  Our ministry in El Salvador continues and expands to accompany the ministry of Culture of Peace in the USA. Read more about a young couple based in Washington, D.C., Hierald and Kristen Kane-Osorto who have committed to this ministry and need our support to carry it forward. Choose then to be response-able, not just generous and read our update well,  lets accompany each other, donate today with consciousness and intentionality.

 

 

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