By Carolina Lukac | Outreach and Workshop Coordinator
Indigenous and small farming communities in Ejutla, Oaxaca, face daily challenges of satisfying their most basic needs of access to clean water, healthy food and sustainable energy sources. Although Oaxaca has the highest biodiversity of any state in Mexico, the extreme poverty rates are among the highest in the nation. Thus, the challenge GRUPEDSAC faces is teaching communities how to become self-sufficient while showing earth stewardship with long term sustainability in mind.
Sustainable community development initiatives at the Instituto Tonantzin Tlalli have benefited 10 families in Ejutla through hands-on workshops to install rainwater catchment systems, biointensive gardens, and fuel efficient stoves in their homes. Each family is required to have at least 5 family members participate in the hands-on training, with the understanding that they in turn will train other community members.
The improvements in quality of life have been enormous – women burn 50% less wood and get 75% better fuel efficiency with their new stoves, 6 of the 10 families will now have a secure water source for the 8 dry months of the year (the glory of rainwater!), and the organic cultivation of local, highly nutritious crops will improve the diets of women and children suffering from malnutrition.
We greatly appreciate your feedback and look forward to sharing your enthusiasm with the communities directly benefited from your generosity and belief in the power of sustainable solutions. Gracias!
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