On our 5th day we visited a Human Rights Museum- that honestly was one of the best I have ever been to- technologically savvy but also very informative. I won’t say much- except that it was extremely well put together- giving viewers the cold-hard facts- but with personal touches that commemorated the sacrifices people have made throughout Chiles history. After our long tour, the group of Chileans, Sri Lankans and Americans and proceeded to walk into one of the city’s many plazas- filled with food, shops, dancing and everyday people. That beautiful summer afternoon, really gave a sense of city life: upbeat, lively and carefree. 

As we continued to stroll, we came upon a stone laden street. A sudden change to the unforgiving pavement- I studied the cobbles. As I looked closer I saw that each turned out to be a small memorial with a name, age at death and political affiliation. We had come upon Londres 38. Like Villa Grimaldi- it was a torture center during Pinochet. However this was a house- a large house- situated right smack in the center of Santiago. As we listened to the experts talk about each room- we learned hundreds had died there- even though it was only open for a year. Taking a step back though- a year is quite a long time for neighbors to be hearing the screams of the tortured and for them not to be reported. In fact the site was only identified by a few survivors who could hear the bells of a church down the street and by the very distinct cobbles I had studied upon our venture into the house. Our group was outraged- many people in the area would have known what was going on at the time- why didn’t they stop it? Simply because they too could have been taken. The followers of Pinochet had very few guidelines for victims- anyone could have the misfortune of becoming one. 

The house itself was in horrible condition- paint chipping, scratched floors, broken windows, holes in the walls, no furniture. The guides, recognizing our distain informed us that it was all original- kept exactly the way it was left when Pinochet came out of power. The only thing changed were a few poems on the walls from people who came through Londres 38 and inspirational quotes about remembering history. The gravity of the fact that it was original, truly hit us as we stood in the tiny torture room- knowing that people had cried out for mercy, had even died in the spot we were standing in, was breath taking. There was nothing I could do but keep my head high, say a silent prayer and remember those who were lost. 

For the purpose of the blog I decided not to include many of the adventures we had or funny moments we experienced in Chile (though there were many). Moreover, I wanted to describe some of my findings and experiences in regards to human rights. I could have continued on forever describing the people and city. But what made the trip so unique was that I wasn’t just a tourist- I was on my way to becoming a Girl Ambassador- which I now feel, that I truly exemplify.

Upon returning I have taken a great part in the community. Abiba and I have told about our experiences in not just Gage meetings but in museum conventions and even to reporters. One thing we have found to be extremely poignant to our listeners is the aforementioned US involvement to the coup and torture- for like me, many did not know about Pinochet, let alone that we took an intregal part in it. However the biggest thing I have been working on in regards to the Gage program is the upcoming visit to the US. Three Sri Lankans, and four Chileans will be arriving to learn about our culture, our influence of women and our history of human rights violations here in Syracuse as the final part of our Girl Ambassador Project (that we have been a part of all year). Next blog I will tell you all about how this goes- what their reactions are and maybe even some things that I myself learn! 

One night Villa Grimaldi hosted an event that the public was open to attending. Many people spoke about the program- how they got involved, why it was important, but also about their beliefs on women's rights today. Two girls from Chile spoke and also the two girls from Sri Lanka- Nurath and Jenty. Although the presentations were extremely interesting I missed most of the first half because of my nerves. This was due to the fact that we had only been informed that we would be speaking earlier that day! The only thing we could do was hastily prepare a PowerPoint, which in that of itself was a miracle considering our already hectic days schedule of museum hopping and dialoging. When we arrived we were given simultaneous translating devices so we could understand every word of the speaker- but unfortunately that meant they could understand every word of ours. I don't think I have ever been so nervous. True I joined the Girl Ambassador program to let my voice be heard and to become a more confident leader in society... But that didn't mean I was entirely ready to present in front of a bunch of important people from around the world (including some members of the UN and US embassies). 

Probably the most touching memorial I visited in Chile was named Paine after the small town located outside of Santiago. During the mid-1900s many rural, low income families had been leftist. Following the military coup by Augusto Pinochet, many of these people were systematically killed- for the represented a threat to the new, more rightist dictatorship. This area of Paine experienced the greatest loss in percent of population- more than any other place effected by the dictatorship in Chile. It was a small town- so the 70 men that were abducted- had a huge impact on the rest of society.

Now, outside in that country air, 930 wooden poles represent the descendants of victims in the Paine massacre. Within this forest, 70 huge mosaics commemorate each individual who was lost. They in particular are heart wrenching- each made by what was left of their family- trying to keep a part of their loved ones with them always (for most bodies in Paine were never found- or never returned). Together the poles and mosaics create a mountainous skyline, with ominous shadows posing the question- how could the lives of the people today have been changed if this massacre hadn’t occurred?

As our large group discussed Paine- we got to hear from women who lost their husbands, boys who lost their fathers. There is nothing like hearing the story of families torn apart, so unnecessarily- and so recently (only 40 years had actually passed!). We were encouraged to walk around the space- through the poles and study the colorful, creative, and unique mosaics. We could see how entire families were destroyed-  for family names were repeated showing brother, son, nephew, grandfather. All dead. All gone. We all were to find a mosaic that spoke to us, then share it to the rest of the group. In this way we got to understand them more, bringing to life the faceless 70 who were gone- the watermelon farmer, the messenger who adored his wife, the guitar player, the father who loved soccer- the list went on and on. 

At the end of our visit we met with the directors of the memorial and they emphasized to us their goal of having recovery and progress for the future generations of Paine. They told us the importance of reconciliation between the government and the silenced. But also allowing a space where the Paine people can continue to celebrate their unity- and maintain awareness of the atrocities that occurred there. This sense of community that still exists was amazing. They showed to us girl ambassadors how learning about human rights violations if important, but how life changing if can be to have yourself be heard, to know that there are people who care about the past. We were a beacon of light to those citizens of Paine- we exemplified how not all of the new generation is lost. There are some of us who want to positively effect the future. 

These pictures are for the most part self explanatory. However, I just wanted to tell the story of  Pedro Luis Ramirez Torres. His mosaic, made by his family, is the first three pictures and is the one I chose to share to the rest of our group. It displayed the 5 parts of his life. One being his work- he had a huge farm and actually loved tending to it. Then there is the image of him going on his first date with his high school sweet heart- who became his wife. Next is the center image- which showed him on his bike with a guitar. A musical man Pedro often visited friends and was said to be an upbeat lively force of nature in the community. Next is the bridge at which he was killed with three of his closest friends. You can see how under one section there is only one drop of blood. This is because one of the people disposed of on the bridge survived- which is how his family was able to determine how he died (most never knew what happened to their loved ones). Lastly there is a picture of his pregnant wife and children- left alone, forever with a hole in their heart from his loss.