Connection by SebastiAn sawhney

Connection


In most touristic destinations, there exists an invisible wall between the “locals” and the “outsiders”. The relationship between the two is purely pragmatic and unemotional, one side offers experiences and services for which the other exchanges for monetary compensation. I’ve found that things in Guanaja are extremely different. In my first couple hours on the Island I attempted to observe people’s interactions who had been here before, part to see what I should do and part to see what I could learn. As soon as I arrived on the dock, I saw the faces of both the anglers on the boat and the guides on the dock light up. They greeted each other with jokes and hugs and proceeded to ask about each other’s wives, families and lives with genuine interest. In the following days I would see why they seemed so close. My hours on the boat with Edwin and Rankin would be filled with not just casual conversation but joking, talking about life and genuinely trying to give each other a good experience. The connection was fully illuminated when I asked Edwin if he “liked guiding” and he said with look on his face of pure joy “hell yeah brother, it’s so beautiful out here”. The toothy grin he gave me was so unforgettable that even a week later, I, a very forgetful person, remember it like a life changing event. It was evident from that simple response that Guiding was not only something he used to feed his family but also something he found extremely enjoyable. Although many people do not envy the conditions of the island, I hope one day I can find a job as fulfilling as Edwin. The point of Fish for Change is beyond simply fishing in exotic locations and doing some community service after. It’s about making genuine changes and connection within the community. During our community service, we see the other side of Guanaja, we see many of the staff’s homes, families and daily lives. By attempting to help them, not from a place of condescension but of understanding, we can grow and learn things ourselves. One example of this is the hospital we are attempting to open. The hospital will be beneficial to all residents of Guanaja however it will be most beneficial for parents and their children. No matter where on earth you live or how much money you have, the love and concern parents have for their children stays the same. When someone’s kid is sick it does not matter if it’s a millionaire client coming for vacation or someone who lives on 200 limperias a year, help is on the mainland. The feeling of helplessness the person feels as a sick or injured person attempted to be evacuated transcends everything. By sufficiently funding the hospital we can remove this possible tragedy for natives and tourists alike.