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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman,Bold'">1st Latin American PHM Assembly<br>
Towards a fulfilling life and harmony between humanity and Mother Earth!
Some perspectives and experiences
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman,Bold'">Vivian T. Camacho H.
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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 </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">it means to be part of our People’s Health
</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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 unity
towards global unity in the fight for a worthy life for all.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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 Cañari 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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">The first night of the Assembly, Hany Serag, from Egypt, shortly told us about everything that is
</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">taking place in the global People’s Health Movement, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">and sent us strength and support from the
</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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 Tomé (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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">During a special session within the ReAct-combined </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">event “Restoring the Health of the
Ecosystems to restrain the Bacterial Resistance”, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">A lot of presentations dealt with the protection of Mother Earth against the megaprojects and gave
examples 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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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 María Hamlin Zuñiga 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 </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">in ‘Where There Is No Doctor’),
</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">our Arturo Quizhpe in Ecuador, also for the combined event with ReAct (Antimicrobial
Resistance) and Dr. Otto Cars, who founded the network ReAct.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">During the most emotional moments, the plenary sessions, and while we were dancing and
</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">singing in the streets, we were accompanied by ‘Cubanos en la Red’, from Cuba. With their music
</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">and lyrics, they support our vision of health by solidary supporting other networks and
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">movements who are protecting life, such as MAELA and ASECSA, working towards another
world that is possible.
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<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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 that
it 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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">The last night, we said goodbye with a big party and with a high level of ‘alegremia”. Laughing,
</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">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.
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'">* 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 profound
social transformation towards a more dignified, more open and more united world.
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