Latest posts by Renata Avila
Americas: Looking Forward to Central America Free Software Festival
The Central American Free Software Festival will take place on June 17-21 in Estelí, Nicaragua. This will be the first opportunity for many enthusiasts of open-source and free software from across Central America to come together to share experiences, promote their projects, establish common objectives, and to find ways to work together. The schedule of events include workshops, panels, and a “rapid-development” tournament for the creation of an application.
Guatemala: The Murder of Father Rosebaugh in the Ixcán
One week after the murder of Rodrigo Rosemberg and the infamous video, another violent murder took place in the Ixcán region of Guatemala. Armed men intercepted the car carrying 5 missionaries. Shots rang out and a Roman Catholic priest from the United States, the Rev. Lawrence Rosebaugh was killed. The incident brought an end to the life of a man best remembered as a champion of non-violence and peace during his years serving in Latin America, and brought focus on the historical and present state of the region where he last served.
Bubisher: A Bus of Books for Children in Western Sahara
Do you want to go to the Sahara desert and read for children living in the refugee camps? Bubisher is a mobile library being driven across Western Sahara refugee camps. In those refugee schools, the bus shares with youngsters food for the soul and mind: books. Renata Avila highlights the initiative.
Guatemala: Collaborative Publishing of the Book TRANS 2.0
In celebration of World Book Day, Guatemalan author and blogger Julio Serrano asked 50 of his friends and readers to publish different parts of his book TRANS 2.0 on their blogs. This new publishing project brings together enthusiasts of literature from all over the world to participate in this open license initiative.
Guatemala: A Violin in Silence After Murder of Youth
The latest victims to violence in Guatemala are a young violinist, Hans Castro and his two companions Andrea Robledo and Edwin Urrea. The murders took place in the outskirts of Guatemala City and bloggers are mourning the loss of Castro, who was a member of the Guatemalan Symphonic Orchestra Conservatory.
Guatemala: Opposition to Mining Operations
A recent BBC story reported on skin infections showing up in several indigenous communities in Guatemala. Many from the community and other activists are placing blame on an open-pit mining company for the health problems. These new findings are the latest in a series of arguments about the negative effects of mining. Bloggers have joined the online debate that say that mining is damaging and dangerous for local communities and the environment.
Guatemala: President Colom Apologizes for the Bay of Pigs
In preparation for the Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961, the government of Guatemala allowed the CIA to train Cuban exiles on their soil for the operation. Even though the invasion failed, the memory still remains. Nearly 50 years later, the current president Álvaro Colom visited Cuba and took the opportunity to “officially ask Cuba for forgiveness." He also presented former Cuban leader Fidel Castro with the Order of the Quetzal, which is the highest honor given by Guatemala.
Guatemala: Experiences in Birdwatching
Guatemala is a major destination for birdwatchers from around the world. The number of species of birds in the country's diverse habitats is more than 700. Many of these birdwatchers are writing about their experiences in blogs, while others are worried about the bird habitats due to environmental destruction.
Guatemala: Powerful Images of War Victims Leave Some Uncomfortable
Capturing images on film is one way to ensure that the collective memory does not forget about a country's history. When that country's history includes grusome events, those images can become powerful, yet uncomfortable reminders of the past. In Guatemala, a couple of photographers have become involved in documenting and representing images from the armed conflict that took place for 36 years.
Americas: Calls for Peace in Palestine
Several Latin American bloggers are watching the events unfold in Gaza and they often feel helpless. They use their blogs to demand peace in the region. However, they also feel that after these bombings that achieving peace in the Middle East is now even further away.
Guatemala: Violence Continues 12 Years After Peace Accords
Today marks the 12th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Accords that put an end to 36 years of Civil War in Guatemala. In spite of the agreement and an international commission to oversee the process, violence and lawlessness continue to be a part of daily life in the country.
Western Sahara: Cubarawis
Many saharaui children, thanks to international cooperation with Cuba, travel each year to study until they graduate from university. Then, they return to work for their Western Sahara. The Caribbean is completely different from the desert, not only because of geography, but also because of the nature of the people themselves. Cubans have rhythm in their veins and are dancing all the time. Beduins are sober, quiet and reflective. However, in the end, the exchange is worthy in both ways, as Renata Avila explains.
Central America: Women, Technology and Education
Central American women are "taking back the tech" by blogging about software developement, new ICT technologies, and how to integrate ICTs with their daily life. They are also making a difference by blogging about important issues to women and by creating a network for others.
Guatemala: The Kaibiles as Peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Kabiles are soldiers that are part of the Guatemalan Army that has a poor track record of human rights abuses. Now, they are members of a UN peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many are wondering whether their controversial and aggressive training methods, and their reputation as a "killing machine" coincides with the task of peacekeeping in this African nation.
Guatemala: The Fiambre and Other Foods for Day of the Dead
What began as an improvised dish called Fiambre made of leftovers and made by nuns in Antigua, Guatemala, has become a tradition during the Day of the Dead holidays. The dish includes up to 150 ingredients including slices of cold cut meats, cheeses, potatoes, and vegetables. The Fiambre and other foods play a large part in the celebration in Guatemalan households.
Guatemala: Heavy Rains and Flooding Affecting the Poorest Communities
The past month has been very difficult for many Guatemalans because of heavy rains caused by tropical storms. Floods and storms affect many communities, but the impact is higher in communities below the poverty line. These communities are often isolated from services or shelters, like the small villages in Peten, Quiché and Zacapa. Bloggers and organizations have provided more information on the environmental disaster.
Guatemala: Ex-president Portillo extradited
After hiding from Justice for four years in Mexico, former President Alfonso Portillo was extradited to Guatemala, where he will face serious charges of corruption and other felonies. Bloggers comment on the possible outcomes, and show surprise at how quickly he was put released on bail.
Habemus Guatemalan Cinema! Gasolina, Best Latin American Movie
Gasolina, a Guatemalan film directed by Julio Cordon, won Best Latin American Movie in San Sebastian Film Festival, capturing a post conflict society, quite different from the pictures in the newspapers and far more complex. Bloggers and artists are sharing this triumph, proudly sharing the city and their urban stories with many people in the world.
Guatemala: Celebrating Photography Throughout September
Throughout the month of September, the art of photography is being celebrated in galleries in the capital city, Antigue and Quetzaltenango. The galleries participating in the event called Foto30 are now using blogs to provide background information on the artists and to allow visitors to exchange thoughts and comments on the exhibits.
Western Sahara: Summer is Over for Sahrawi Children
Traveling abroad to spend summer with a family in Spain, meeting movie stars like Javier Bardem, sharing special moments with volunteers who give them new school materials, summer is officially over for Sahrawi children, who are back in school, where they are learning valuable lessons about hope and a better tomorrow, writes Renata Avila.
Guatemala: Protection of La Danta
Many Guatemalans and foreign journalists are concerned about the plight of the region around La Danta, one of the world's largest pyramids. A group from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting recently visited Petén to document the environmental threats to the region. La Danta is also the name for the tapir, which also requires conservation attention.
