We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Constancia Leshin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Constancia below.

Constancia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I first traveled to Guatemala twice in the 1970’s and fell in love with the textiles, culture and the Mayan people. When I became aware of the horrific civil war in which 250,000 were killed, I delayed going back until 2006.  I had a wake up call after arm surgery  and realized before I permanently left the planet that I wanted to share my bilingual skills, education, experience and passion with an organization that helped marginalized people in Guatemala. Either Friendship Bridge found me on the computer one night or I found it! Friendship Bridge is a “Microcredit Plus’ ‘ organization that helps over 32,000 underserved Mayan women empower themselves, create their own solutions to poverty and step into a brighter future. benefitting themselves, their families and their communities. Returning in 2006 on a Friendship Bridge Insight Trip was the first of yearly trips until the pandemic. Insight Trips consist of small groups of travelers who want to meet some of our clients, learn more about our programs and visit interesting places. I have worked as a translator on many of these trips. Also, I have started a support circle in my local area and assisted in starting another in Central California. But the biggest way I contribute to the organization is through my KIVA reports on individual clients. A long time friend collaborates with me on this project. We receive basic information on a client from our tiny team in Guatemala and transform it into an interesting and compelling narrative that would appeal to KIVA investors! Last year as a result of our team efforts, we raised over $2 million in KIVA loans.. I do this work to symbolically thank the Mayan women who have given me so much color in their traditional textiles that I regularly wear!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In my high school Spanish classes, I fell in love with the Spanish language. I have traveled throughout Latin America almost yearly since I was a sophomore in college. I taught a “living” Spanish to high school and junior college students for over 15 years. After discovering the smooth ride of the Peruvian Paso horse, I worked in horse shows as a translator for Peruvian judges who would travel to our shows from Peru.  I also have been a bilingual announcer for Peruvian, Paso Fino, and Spanish/Andalusian horse shows. But the most meaningful work that I have done is working with Friendship Bridge (www.friendshipbridge.org) and KIVA (www.kiva.org). I am passionate about this and that is reflected in the amount of energy I pour into writing narratives or speaking in front of groups!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of my work with Friendship Bridge and KIVA is that every time I write about a client, I know that I am the voice for a voiceless woman who wants to tell her story and create a better life for herself and her family.  I am transported back to Guatemala as I write a  narrative and I don’t even have to buy a plane ticket!. According to the World Bank, 52.4% of the population lived in poverty in 2020. Guatemala has the 4th highest malnutrition rate in the world. These are sobering statistics. Each time I write a report, talk to a group, put on a fundraising event, or sell “tipica from our “Handmade by Friendship Bridge”  program, I am helping these beautiful people in a small way. I am using my education, experience and passion to benefit those who have no voice, no resources and often, no hope. I am honored to do this work, to give back and to share. It’s the best!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Due to economic issues including poverty, crime and violence as well as climate change, there are more and more people who, in desperation, have to leave their families  behind and make the dangerous journey to “El Norte” so that they can earn a living wage, feed their families, educate their children and more. If I can help empower a woman start or sustain a business, it will mean that she can keep the family together and perhaps her husband doesn’t have to migrate to the U.S. as an undocumented person.  The family can stay together in Guatemala with enough income to take care of household expenses, educate the children and have a brighter future., That is my mission. That is my calling. 

Thank you for letting me share my story!

Contact Info:

• Website: wew.friendshipbridge.org
• Other: www.handmadebyfriendshipbridge.org

Image Credits
Constancia took the photos!