After having traveled to Mexico City and Santa Cruz, equipped with over 20 hours in busses within the span of a few days, our triumphant return to San Miguel de Allende felt much like arriving home. The streets proved to be familiar, we found our hostel room the same as we left it, and the chaos that accompanies traveling in new places was nowhere to be found.
Upon returning to CASA headquarters today to gather an additional interview and some footage of the childcare services, sentiments were quite similar to how we felt upon returning from our travels. By this point in our work with CASA, we have familiarized ourselves with the staff, the layout of headquarters, and I daresay we’ve even made a few friends. While feeling welcomed from the first day we set foot onto CASA turf, it’s great to see that our relationship with the individuals there have grown so strong in such a short time span. I suppose it serves as a reflection of the same relationships they share and forge with those that actually visit the organization for their services.
That being said, there is still always room for surprises and new experiences. Today, we had the privilege of getting footage of the childcare services that take place at CASA. Essentially, this means we got to play with little kids (arguably the best part of this job). The kids had nothing but smiles to give out and loved to have a bit of fun for the sake of the camera. Balls from the ballpit were flying around, kids were using the slide (both for climbing and sliding) in mass numbers, there was much shouting and running and giggling, and these curious kids especially loved to swarm the camera to see what we could possibly be recording amongst all the madness.
As my part on this voyage nears its unwelcome conclusion, I must say that I got a lot out of this trip. CASA has served as an inspiration in many regards, and more specifically the people that operate it have restored my faith in many aspects of humanity and that people out there actually care about people before profit. Organizations like CASA serve as proof that there is a need for healthcare and public services that can be given to everyone regardless of income, class or gender. Seeing as how this is my last blog from the trip, I would like to emphasize that these are the organizations that represent TRUE progress in a world that is going backwards in so many ways. We must fund them and give our support (this comes in forms other than financial contributions) if we are to ensure that justice and hope have a place in the future.
-Tarik