The Dying Tree

April 24, 2009

Yesterday I saw a tree being slaughtered.  It was perfectly happy there, providing shade to the galleria.  My group and I were working on a lesson plan for a computer class.  We didn’t really notice the tree.  It was just there.  And then I heard the chopping.

I looked out the window and saw a man hacking into it.  I felt sick inside as I imagined it wincing in agony.  The chopping continued and no one could hear the cries except me.  I looked a few minutes later and saw the tree trembling, giving into the chops.  I couldn’t stand it.  Such a beautiful tree… I felt like I was witnessing a murder.  And then I heard the tree snapping, giving in, hitting the pavement.  And as the tree was dying a terrible death, the man stood over the tree, chopping the branches, ripping apart the limbs.  The despair of the tree just flowed into the street.

At the great risk at sounding cliché, there is trouble in paradise.

I guess if everything was perfect in this country, I nor my kind would be here.  We, as Peace Corps Volunteers, certainly have a purpose, a rather intimidating, gigantic purpose here.  And it’s not just about the (careless) hacking of the tree or the environment, it’s so much more.  The social and environmental investment here is modest.

In my work, I plan to focus my attention on the youth, because they are the future of this country.  There are so many bright and enthusiastic "jovenes" here; they just need a chance to prove themselves.  I hope to inspire them a little and empower them to create change.  I see myself as a catalyst... and I can't wait to see what will happen.