May 24, 2021 • Natalia Mora and Chloe Jurianz
Natalia: This semester was bittersweet. Although Chloe and I managed to finish the database codification process it also meant the last semester of work on the project.
The database brought a lot of obstacles and difficult decisions. We often wondered if we were making the right choices in terms of how we were keeping track of what we felt was important. This led to a growing list of things we hoped to go back to which we sadly didn’t get to. Some cases don’t hold as much information, or are missing, making the database codification not fully complete. While we were trying to put down correct information our main goal was staying true to the archive but so there might be mistakes in our notes and codification. Additionally, since there were only two of us working on the database for the most part, we ourselves might’ve made mistakes as we read or typed.
As I mentioned before our hope was to be able to look through the archive again. Since we were not able to do that we left instructions for the work that we believe is left to be done in hopes someone will take over after us.
I’ve enjoyed working on this project, not just because of how much I’ve learned but because of all of the great people I have worked with. The project team, both at Haverford and Guatemala, have been so welcoming and have taught me so much. I don’t know where exactly I’ll go next but I’m proud of the work we have done and hope to continue to help in any way I can.
Chloe: I have been involved with the GAM project since my sophomore year and it has been one of the most rewarding and educational aspects of my Haverford experience. My role on the project has primarily been on the back-end rather than conducting research like many of the other students on the project. Throughout my time on the project, something that I’ve always kept in mind and that has guided my work is centering the desires of the GAM and what might be useful for them. I have tried to use the privilege and resources that I have been given as a Haverford student working on this project to utilize my time in a way that best supports the work of the GAM in the ways that I can as an outside researcher.
I’m really looking forward to seeing where the project will go in the upcoming years and I’m excited for the next cohort of digital scholarship team members to begin working on the project and building upon what myself and Natalia have created with the database codification process. It feels slightly surreal that my time on the project is coming to an end, but I’m really proud of the work I’ve been able to accomplish and the opportunity to be involved with such an important organization like the GAM during my time at Haverford.