Pampojilla, Xiqujuyu, a culture of violence

Things I take for granted:

• My education
• Hot showers with water pressure
• Drinking water out of the faucet and never worrying about it making me sick
• A variety of food and as much of it as I want
• Birth control
• Healthcare
• My voice

We are set up right now at a woman's house in Parcelamiento Pampojilla where women are gathered to be seen. One bedroom for interviews, one for the exam, and everyone waiting outside on the covered balcony. This is the nicest home I have been to in the communities - tiled floor instead of packed dirt, a full kitchen, and more than one bedroom for the family. There are a ton of stuffed animals, framed paintings on the walls, and the smell of almond oil or something sweet they used for cleaning.

The first woman I saw, 20 years old, had her husband along with her. They seemed very sweet and excited and she looked to him to answer ever question we asked. I thought their dynamic was probably a combination of the gender roles here, their relationship, and the natural sentiments/roles that develop between a couple in pregnancy. But when I talked to Dr. Chaperone about it, she said that the husband answering for the wife was often a sign of domestic abuse. I didn't get that feeling from them and I really hope it's not the case...

It's much cooler than yesterday, with a soft breeze. That, coupled with the fact we get to sit in the shade and don't have a gaggle of kids to entertain, is making for a calm day.

I need to get started on filming interviews for the video. The days are passing so quickly - it's hard to believe it has already been a week, and yet it feels like I'm living such a different life that it has to have been longer.

...

We've moved now to another village, Xiqujuyu, where we have a couple of women to see. One wouldn't let us into her house - the health promoter explained that her brother had just hit her and she was crying, too embarrassed to have anyone in. She is pregnant with her second baby out of wedlock, something that brings "shame" to the family. I was shocked at how little the health promoter was concerned for this woman and how obvious it is that violence is a regular part of the culture.