Building resilience with communities of Guerrero

Communities decide how to inhabit their territory in the Montaña de Guerrero
In the mè’phàà communities of Santa Cruz del Rincón and the Núcleo Agrario de Tilapa, communities are actively participating in construction processes rooted in and appropriate to their territory.

In Santa Cruz del Rincón, families live in overcrowded industrial houses that do not protect them from the climate or natural hazards. Today, the community is moving forward with the construction of 12 reinforced traditional homes, supported by Cooperación Comunitaria, designed to respond to local conditions and ways of living.

In the Núcleo Agrario de Tilapa, the community worked alongside the Cooperación Comunitaria team to design their communal house. Together, they completed the architectural project, which brings together the spaces needed for collective life: areas for assemblies, workshops, and shared community care.

In Cacahuatepec, women build and sustain community life
In the Núcleo Agrario de Cacahuatepec, in Acapulco, communities advanced in the self-production of homes, kitchens, and dry toilets following the impacts of Hurricanes Otis and John.

Throughout the reconstruction process, women’s work has been fundamental. They take an active role in construction, organize collective work, and sustain community life. At Cooperación Comunitaria, we recognize and value their contribution; for this reason, we adapt reinforced traditional building systems to make participation easier and to support a comprehensive reconstruction of the habitat.

Community voices
«I truly feel that we designed the communal house together. It has everything we wanted, exactly where we wanted it. We feel that we were listened to and taken into account». —Montaña de Guerrero

«The women in the community feel proud because now we can build what used to be done only by men. We support one another; it is a lot of work, but together we are moving forward». —Cacahuatepec, Acapulco

Espacios seguros y sustentables con y para las mujeres

En la comunidad de Cruces de Cacahuatepec 36 personas (26 mujeres y 10 hombres) están produciendo 8 cocinas reforzadas en esta primera etapa. 

En la comunidad de Cantón 10 personas (7 mujeres y 3 hombres) están produciendo 2 cocinas reforzadas en esta primera etapa. 

Estas cocinas se realizan a partir de un proceso colectivo que fortalece la vida comunitaria, la organización y el cuidado del territorio frente a la crisis climática.

La recuperación de sistemas constructivos tradicionales con materiales locales permite cocinas resistentes a huracanes y sismos, más asequibles y adecuadas al modo de vida.

"Está quedando bien bonita ya hasta me quiero meter a dormir a mi cocina porque está bien fresca".

Las y los participantes se involucran en todas las etapas constructivas, fortaleciendo sus conocimientos sobre los sistemas locales de construcción y aprendiendo las técnicas de reforzamiento.

 "Sí me da miedo la altura, pero estoy aprendiendo, ya se usar más herramientas". 

Saneamiento ecológico para las familias

En la comunidad de Cruces de Cacahuatepec, 36 familias, entre las cuales 71 mujeres, se están concientizando y capacitando en el proceso constructivo de los baños secos. En la comunidad de El Cantón, 12 familias, entre las cuales 29 mujeres, se están concientizando y capacitando autoproduciendo los baños secos de su vivienda.

La autoproducción de sanitarios secos es una acción concreta para enfrentar las causas de la mala calidad y escasez de agua.

Un sanitario convencional puede usar entre 6 y 20 litros de agua por descarga.

Los sanitarios secos no requieren agua, reduciendo el consumo de este bien común, fundamental para la vida de las comunidades y la salud del bosque.

Todas las familias se capacitaron para reforzar los sistemas tradicionales de construcción. Además, se sensibilizaron sobre las problemáticas relacionadas con la escasez del agua y la falta de saneamiento. 

Safe spaces and new skills for women
In the community of Cruces de Cacahuatepec, 36 people (26 women and 10 men) are building 8 reinforced kitchens in this first stage. In the community of Cantón, 10 people (7 women and 3 men) are building 2 reinforced kitchens in this first stage.

These kitchens are the result of a collective process that strengthens community life, organization, and care for the territory in the face of the climate crisis.

The recovery of traditional construction systems with local materials allows for kitchens that are resistant to hurricanes and earthquakes, more affordable, and better suited to the local way of life. 

"It’s turning out so pretty, I even want to sleep in my kitchen because it feels so cool."

The participants are involved in every stage of construction, strengthening their knowledge of local building systems and learning reinforcement techniques.

"Yes, I’m scared of heights, but I’m learning, I already know how to use more tools."

Sustainable sanitation for families
In the community of Cruces de Cacahuatepec, 36 families, including 71 women, are raising awareness and receiving training in the construction process of dry toilets.  In the community of El Cantón, 12 families, including 29 women, are raising awareness and self-producing dry toilets for their homes.

The self-production of dry toilets is a concrete action to address the causes of poor water quality and scarcity.  A conventional toilet can use between 6 and 20 liters of water per flush. Dry toilets require no water, reducing the consumption of this common good, which is essential for the life of communities and the health of forests.

All the families received training to reinforce traditional construction systems. They were also sensitized to the issues related to water scarcity and lack of sanitation.