This is a project benefiting children, nutrition and food security. 70 tzotzil families in Chiapas, Mexico will increase their corn production, plant fruit trees, expand community greenhouses, install chicken coops and participate in interactive, hands-on workshops for balanced diets and preparation of healthy foods. In one year, 120 children from these families will have access to a wider diversity of fresh, nutritious ingredients, helping them grow strong and healthy.
In Mexico, 1 out of every 4 indigenous children suffers from chronic malnutrition and 69.1% of rural families live in food insecurity. Without adequate nutrition in the formative years, children grow up without the energy necessary to play, create and learn. The municipalities where Amextra collaborates in this project, Aldama and Chalchihuitan, are among the top 5 municipalities with the highest percentage of families experiencing poverty in Mexico.
Six strategies are implemented in this project to develop lasting conditions for balanced nutrition and food security in the 3 municipalities where we collaborate: 1) maintenance of community greenhouses 2) installation of community chicken coops 3) workshops on agroecological techniques 4) recovery and sharing of native seeds 5) workshops on preparing diverse, locally produced foods 6) breastfeeding workshops for both new and experienced moms.
When children grow up with the proper nutrition, they are more likely to thrive, becoming strong future leaders in their communities. This project not only decreases malnutrition in the short-term, but also shares with families techniques that will improve their nutrition and food production for years to come. The local leaders that are trained in health and nutrition during this project ensure that the knowledge gained can be passed on to future generations and with neighboring communities.
