Distance Latihans Unite Members In Zone 8

Membership overview

Zone 8 members are mostly middle-aged and older, but there are a representative number of young people in Ecuador and Colombia. Due to the pandemic, it is difficult to know exactly how many remain active.

Despite the economic impact of Covid-19, Zone 8 members’ donations to WSA were higher than last year. The WSA donation campaign was effective.

The Local, Regional, National and International Helpers, with much dedication and love, have attentively supported the members, committees and those with organizational responsibilities.

The Venezuelan socio-political crisis has continued to affect living standards, and some members and helpers have emigrated to other countries. In Panama, there are two members, and no helpers.

Communication and activities

Many virtual meetings have been held using Meet and Zoom, including monthly Zone Council meetings, and meetings of the Executive Council of Subud Colombia, local committees and helper dewan.

Communications in the Zone was maintained through various means, including email and WhatsApp. In 2020, the sixth issue of the Zone newsletter, ‘NOTIZONA 8’, was published, and Subud Teusaquillo group in Bogota published its newsletter, ‘El Teusaquillazo’. News and letters from the WSA, MSF, SICA, SDIA, SESI, as well as Bapak and Ibu’s talks, were also distributed.

Communications need to continuously improve so more members are aware of, and support, the needs of our global, national and local communities.

Wing activities, enterprises and centreprises

SICA Latin America is active through online media with the support of the youth in Area 3. Susila Dharma and national and local committees have developed initiatives to support members in vulnerable situations due to the pandemic.

Members from Ecuador and Colombia have been holding virtual interviews with Subud members from around the world about putting the latihan into practice (talents, entrepreneurship, personal projects, kejiwaan experiences and more).

There are eight Subud owned houses in Colombia, and two in Ecuador. Costa Rica and Venezuela do not have their own houses. The closing of the Subud houses due to the pandemic has affected incomes, although two houses in Colombia were able to maintain some income.