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1st Latin American PHM Assembly

Towards a fulfilling life and harmony between humanity and Mother Earth!

Some perspectives and experiences

Vivian T. Camacho H.

During the week from 7 to 12 October 2013 in Cuenca, Ecuador, we again had the opportunity to

come together and share solidarity and hope, and what it means to be part of our Peoples Health

Movement in Abya Yala*. From different parts of the continent, the Andes, the valleys, the

highlands and the Amazon, hundreds of hearts dedicated to defend the right to health were

reunited.

Each day there were several intense moments and despite the fatigue of so many hours of

presence and participation, we were always aware of every reunion and contribution that was

made during the plenaries. Sad and raging emotions while witnessing the testimonies of the fight

and resistance throughout Latin America were mixed with serenades of joy for our reunion and

the confidence in new generations of grassroots activists to share the power of the Latino unitytowards global unity in the fight for a worthy life for all.

The highest intensities that moved deeply our thoughts and feelings, which for we are grateful and

happy beyond words, took place during the opening ceremony, in which, around a big chakana

(ancestral andean cross), the 4 elements of life were celebrated: Water, Earth, Air and Fire. Each

direction of the square cross was attended by guardians of ancestral traditions in their region: in

the north: the Caari and Saraguro grandmothers from Ecuador, guardians of the water; in the

south: the guardians of the wind from Argentina and Uruguay; in the east, from the sacred land of

the Mayas, the portal of Grandfather Fire was guarded by our Aikii Mayas together with our

Central American brothers; in the west, from the Quechua town from Qollasuyo, Bolivia, together

with El Salvador, Brazil and Colombia, Earth was protected. Within the immense circle formed

by interlaced hands, containing the heart of heaven and the heart of the earth, each participant

expressed, with all their heart, the gratitude for all life on this sacred Pachamama. They asked for

guidance, strength and support in all our fights for the protection of water, earth and land. In front

of the sacred fire they asked for the social injustices to stop and for respect and dignity for our

people. As happiness motivates us to continue doing what is necessary, we danced, celebrating

our woven lives in the circle that held us together.

There were several moments in which each and every one of us got deeply motivated to take

action, to be solidary and open, only through the words of the speakers.

The first night of the Assembly, Hany Serag, from Egypt, shortly told us about everything that istaking place in the global Peoples Health Movement, and sent us strength and support from the

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global secretary. And with great enthusiasm we got to know new faces who are extending the

strong solidary network of our movement. Large groups represented Argentina and amazing

examples of self-management of healthcare were given by Laicrimpo, Red Jarilla and the

University of Rosario, but also the presence of a large group of courageous colleagues of the

Allende group from El Salvador was a delight. With hope we saw the participation of young

Colombians, we were thrilled by the large number of Mayan brothers and sisters from Guatemala,the smiles from Brazil and our youngest activist Tom (1,5 year old) were present, and though

few but all very important small delegations from all over Abya Yala attended the assembly: Peru,

Bolivia, Uruguay, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba.

We emphasize that the distance was overcome by those unable to be physically present through

the digital connection with the facebook page that was specifically opened for this first Latin

American PHM Assembly. In that way, nearly 200 extra people participated with big interest and

contributed actively.

The participation and attendance with each workshop, each plenary session, every forum, every

panel and book presentation was big. And there was the opportunity to share local situations to

reinforce the global fight against the hegemonic capitalist economic model that is preying on life.

But there were also moments of tension and discussion that supported the debate necessary to

continue walking in the most consistent way as possible from each of our locations.

During a special session within the ReAct-combined event Restoring the Health of the

Ecosystems to restrain the Bacterial Resistance, the whole auditorium hang on the lips of Satya

Sivaranan, from India. He showed his profound respect to the life of bacteria as being sisters and

mothers of all life on this planet, making us reflect about the human microbioma and about the

metaphors of war between science and Western medicine, demystifying medicine, as it is

currently taught, as a big corporate business.

A lot of presentations dealt with the protection of Mother Earth against the megaprojects and gaveexamples of protests against killer corporations such as Monsanto. They strongly stated the need

to turn to a profound transformation of a civilization of devastating extractivism to an urgent

harmony between humanity and Mother Earth, which is the conclusion that brings us all together.

The organized reunions of this assembly were largely participated. In which we clarified the terms

and positions to join the movement from the own local actions, without having to change who we

are and what we do, more to the contrary, having the strength to continue our own battles but

knowing that we are part of a solidarity network that supports and strengthens us. In this respect,

we constituted our group of coordinators in 4 regions: Central America and the Caribean, Brazil,

the Andes-region and Mercosur.

A very special night was the Official Ceremony and Tribute to people who, by their life, show us

the road we have to follow. Their many years of learning and great battles, directly or indirectly

helped us by forming what is now the movement in Latin America. Their examples of courage

and kindness were recognized: our Mara Hamlin Zuiga in Nicaragua (our collective mother),

our Julio Monsalvo in Argentina (who continues to share alegremia** and hope), our David

Werner from the United States (who we all thank for his writings in Where There Is No Doctor),

our Arturo Quizhpe in Ecuador, also for the combined event with ReAct (Antimicrobial

Resistance) and Dr. Otto Cars, who founded the network ReAct.

During the most emotional moments, the plenary sessions, and while we were dancing and

singing in the streets, we were accompanied by Cubanos en la Red, from Cuba. With their musicand lyrics, they support our vision of health by solidary supporting other networks and

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movements who are protecting life, such as MAELA and ASECSA, working towards another

world that is possible.

The last day there was a ceremony in Kimsakocha, a sacred place with 3 lakes. It was raining

during the whole ritual and thereby we, wet and semi-frozen, thanked Yaku-Mama (Mother of the

Water) for her blessings, and asked that the water all over the world should be respected and thatit is a respected human right for everyone, that no one should suffer from thirst or die of hunger.

Our wishes were expressed most sincerely by every one of us, from the hope and strength

transmitted to us by our ancestors.

The last night, we said goodbye with a big party and with a high level of alegremia. Laughing,

we shared our solidary love for life that unites us despite the big distances, knowing that we are

brothers and sisters of this Pachamama, comrades who are building every day towards the Other

Possible Health, and this Other World we are already making possible with our hands. Confident

that perhaps the road is long and it will have many tests and rough times, but knowing deeply that

if I do not see the results of my fight, surely my children and grandchildren will see them and will

be grateful for the road that we are creating by keeping on fighting for the protection of health and

life.

* Abya Yala is the ancient name of the Kuna tribe in Latin America.

** Alegremia: joy + -emia (blood concentration) = level of joy in the blood. Which is socially

constructed, based on hope, water, food, air, shelter, education, art and love. It implies a profoundsocial transformation towards a more dignified, more open and more united world.