Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Chiapas, MEXICO - Amide massive Federal troop movements and ringing denunciations in the official state press of Chiapas, the eighty person strong "Education Caravan for Peace" is living and learning in the civilian educational and cultural complex of Oventic Aguascalientes II. Preparations are underway for a New Years' celebration that will include the arrival of the first two hundred students who will take up full time residence under the direction of seventeen young Maya professors who have spent the last year in an intensive teacher training program.

The shining faces of these new teachers and the concrete block school buildings constructed over the last three years by community volunteers both embody the dreams of the highland Maya communities for a new day and a better world. "Primero de Enero" (First of January) is the name of this school which seeks to build bridges of hope between the past and the future while exploring alternatives to corporate driven globalization. Although tensions are running high in anticipation of beginning classes, indigenous leaders and community leaders insist in the musical Tzotzil language that "ain't nobody gonna turn us around - we do not have to ask permission to be free!" The "Primero de Enero" is an autonomous, indigenous school which rejects privatization of education and hopes to eventually become part of a new, democratic Mexican public school system following the 1996 accords of San Andres.

The "Primero de Enero" school board sends greetings ("from the Zapatista heart beating in these mountains") and thanks to everyone in Mexico and around the world who has sold a school bond, said a prayer, marched in a demonstration, mailed in a check, signed a petition, donated a book, sent an email, visited the school, or told a friend about the school in Oventic. Suddenly this group is faced with the daunting task of feeding about 225 students, staff, and teachers a day at a cost of $2.20 (US dollars) per person per day! Even as the Mexican and international participants of the "Education Caravan for Peace" wait to meet the students, plans are being made in the Schools for Chiapas office in Oventic Aguascalientes II.

Dates will soon be announced for spring and summer caravans and for increased national and international support campaigns for the emerging Zapatista Rebellious Autonomous Education System. Once again, thank you for your continued support and please let us know if there we can help you contribute to the struggle for peace and education with dignity in Chiapas.

Join us - with your heart, your mind, and your body - in the misty mountains of the Mexican southeast!