Hume Warmed My Heart by Nia Kennedi Cunningham

       Walking into Hume after the hour-long drive made me feel kind of lethargic, but after the presentations they gave us, giving us an overview of their work, I was really interested in the ways their research is helping communities combat climate change. A part of their presentation that stood out was how they made it a point to integrate useful technology that is both beneficial to them, and the communities they work with. They were very open and willing to share the different foci they had. For instance, man/animal conflict, rain collection/rain gauges, working with indigenous communities, farmers, and children within the surrounding area. As the presentations were being delivered to us, I remember hearing children upstairs singing and running around playfully. When they started speaking about the technology (rain gauges) they created to help track rainfall to help local farmers, I was immediately refocused. They set up the gauges around the Wayanad to help track the rain fall, which ultimately helps them predict potential landslides. I had never heard of a system like this so it seemed to be such a unique but simple way to combat the climate issues their region is facing. After the presentation had ended, we were invited upstairs, to see what the kids had been getting into.

An artwork made by the children at the Hume Center. 
Photo by Anna Guevarra

Artwork (figures made with clay and collage work) made by the children at the Hume Center.
Photo by Anna Guevarra 

        After walking into the class, I was immediately drawn to the walls, which were filled with the students' creations: drawings, paintings, handprints, clay objects, and so much color. We walked in and the teachers were telling us a little about the work they were doing. Something that stuck with me after talking to the teachers was the supportive energy they had toward the kids. They created activities that uplifted and supported their autonomy and allowed room for them to have space to be their authentic selves. They had explained the activity the kids had done, where they were tasked with using destructive energy to rip up a bunch of newspaper and then - after cleaning up - to recreate something out of that destructive energy. They were allowed to use their natural instincts of alchemy, to destroy, and then create something out of that destruction. The way they are allowed to be free while learning was so beautiful to witness.

The teachers at Hume giving us an orientation of this space. In the background (on the floor) are the crumpled newspapers that children are asked 
Photo by Amira Altamimi

Figures made of clay made by the students at the Hume Center.
Photo by Amira Altamimi

The other big takeaway I took from Hume was their emphasis on creating and finding technologies that will be beneficial to communities and not just research for research's sake. Putting the community first through working to help them seems to be at the forefront. When they took us to the landslide site to see the damage and the places people had been displaced from to gain a deeper understanding of the issue was really impactful. Being able to look at a mountain and point out the places where peoples' homes and livelihoods once were, was really sad but also impactful. But with the rain gauges and community alert system they created they are able to know when landslides and heavy rains are coming, which not only helps combat landslides, but also helps with agricultural planning and planting. The reach and intersection of the programs and research done at Hume was interesting to learn about, and has made me want to research the ways rainfall and climate change is impacting chicago.

Hume Center researchers showing us the rain gauge located in Chembra Peak. 
Photo by Anna Guevarra

Hume captured my heart during the trip; being with the children from around the area was really moving, seeing the future generations having so much fire for living. It’s interesting the ways Hume has used education as a means to combat climate change by teaching youth about their connection to place, their bodies, and the environment around them. Through this process and philosphy, they provided space for the community to blossom; this is an act of liberation in my eyes.

Dancing with the children at the Hume Center on the night where the children were practicing for their final performance. 
Photo by Anna Guevarra