In September 2017, many villages of Oaxaca, South of Mexico, were heavily damaged. Una Mano Para Oaxaca's team is made of 5 young women who decided to help the local people generate more income. At the Community Center we receive women who want to learn a new artcraft in order to increase their income and rebuild their houses. But the reconstruction is not only economic, it is also about healing because the earth keeps shaking so we also organize cultural and artistic workshops for children.
In September 2017, Southern Mexico was shaken by an earthquake of 8.4 magnitude. This earthquake destroyed many homes and businesses in low-income communities of the Istmo of Tehuantepec. The government's help was very limited. The people's life-long savings were invested in their houses, sometimes for generations and when the houses fell, they lost all they had. In the local area there are very little professional opportunities. The population also suffers from post-traumatic stress.
The Community Center aims to value the local and traditional artcrafts and offer opportunities to women who lost their homes to have a new productive activity in order to generate more income. Through the productive workshops we create social bond between the women so they feel stronger together. It helps them believe in themselves and they can also teach their families and friends. The artistic and cultural activities help the kids reduce anxiety and value their own culture and traditions.
The project can capacitate and empower 240 women per year. It preserves local knowledges that were disappearing or not valued. These women can have an income to help them rebuild their houses and also give their children a better future. Through the well-being program they can relax and have a healthier lifestyle for them and their families (the first cause of death in Mexico is diabetes). The cultural activities help children value their culture and open their minds and creativity.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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