As a reaction to the earthquakes in Mexico in September 2017, Loyola Foundation, along with other institutions, created this program, which objectives are to provide safe and dignified spaces, in concordance with the Ikoot community worldview, and to start a participative process in this same community. Some of the goals to achieve are: The construction of 100 houses; public equipment such as chapel, a market, and a community sports center, rebuilding at the same time the social fabric.
The population in San Mateo del Mar have been suffering poverty for a long time, situation that the earthquake has worsened, leaving behind 1,800 affected houses. Not all the affected houses were considered in the official census, which provoked that a lot of families ended up without a home and with an uncertain future.The big challenge is not only to work with the affected people after the earthquake, but also with the ones who have not experienced the benefits of the social development.
In collaboration with other three Jesuit universities and two civil associations, experts in "participative construction", this "Housing and Dignified Life Program" was created. The objective is to strengthen the community organization throughout the construction and reconstruction processes of houses and the public spaces equipment. Along with the affected families, well-built houses are being designed and built, in accordance with their worldview and the families needs.
It is our great desire that this "Housing and Dignified Life Program", gives to San Mateo del Mar decorous houses and public spaces, which are appropriate for the Ikoot culture, as well as to be able to leave in the community some construction knowledge and the ability to collaborate with each other. The impact of this program goes beyond the community since this program is an example in the Istmo de Tehuantepec where other 27 communities are willing to learn and to replicate the program.
