Zapotec Post-Earthquake Reconstruction | Oaxaca MX

Thank you for making afternoons of learning and connection possible for women in Oaxaca. At UMPO, we say that communities rebuild themselves when hearts come together. This time, we gathered for beautiful afternoons beneath the chapel canopy in Mixtequilla. Guided by Elsa, a community health promoter, we came together as women to talk about the plants our ancestors used for healing—plants that still grow nearby, though we’ve nearly lost the habit of us

“How do we, as women, build connections with plants?” we kept asking ourselves. We reflected on their uses, often more accessible than pharmaceutical medicine, especially for common ailments like stomachaches, he

When we arrived, Doña María, a woman in her sixties who lived in the Central Valleys before moving to Mixtequilla many years ago, started watering the plants in the place. She cut a bit of basil and told us, “At home, I have plenty of herbs—mint, basil, epazote, and so many I use for food and remedies. We eat guaje in sauce and delicious quelites, but around here, people hardly use them anymore.” We got excited and in a chorus asked Tía María to guide us in a workshop using her traditional recipes. We couldn’t be happier to reconnect in the kitchen, that most intimate of spaces, where we can come together with each other and with the plants. 

On this day, we dreamed about creating a Mixtequilla herbarium, where we could identify local plants and their magical properties. We don’t want to lose this knowledge; we want to learn and share. “Our closeness with plants comes from our grandmothers and mothers, who used to go into the hills to gather them. But now many people hold prejudices, thinking that what comes from the hills is dirty or lowly. I’m talking about verdolagas, quintoniles, papaloquelite—plants that were once part of our diet, but people stopped consuming because of classist opressions" said our partner, Sara. 

During the workshop, we made Florida Water to bring harmony to our homes. Florida Water is helpful in times of stress and heavy emotions. We learned the Zapotec names of the flowers we used and shared what we’d love to learn more about: medicinal plants, remedies, syrups, and balms to care for our family.

We also built a beautiful bond with Elsa and the group, which included mostly elder women. We want to thank you, because your support made it possible to have an experience that reminded us of the importance of reconnecting with our land, of walking through it, and recognizing the plants that have been part of our families' lives. Your support is essential to promote dignified health in our communities and to have the freedom to choose the medicine that heals us. Thank you for being here with us.

We gathered 25 children and women to discuss what’s going on with the kids in Santo Domingo Chihuitán. We were concerned about the violence they face, the limited educational spaces available, and even questioned if we’re fulfilling our role as caregivers properly.

Thanks to you, we were able to wrap up this beautiful project after more than a year of hard work. Of course, we knew we needed to outline the tasks ahead for the future, but also to show UMPO where we currently stand. This wrap-up had three parts.

First, we brought together 13 mothers of the children and teenagers who actively participated in the “Strengthening My Roots” program. Although the invitation was open to all caregivers, no men attended. Even so, it was wonderful because we could chat about our concerns regarding the children while rescuing mangos that would have gone to waste and learning to make cakes together. From this session, we created a powerful manifesto on parenting, emphasizing the importance of focusing on popular education and the environment, as well as our responsibility to protect them, from their vulnerabilities to their emotions and rights.

In the second part, we gathered mothers and children, and the result was beautiful. It became clear that we will never stop learning from the youth. We engaged in what is pedagogically known as intergenerational dialogue, but it was centered around building the life stories of the children and teenagers. With their mothers by their side, in a loving conversation, everyone talked about their dreams from motherhood to each individual’s biography. Many doors opened, and we saw possible directions for change. The children displayed wisdom and appreciation for their territory and the magic within it. The mothers received this grace but also shared the most down-to-earth and profound aspects of what makes us belong to THIS place.

Finally, in the third stage, we came together to celebrate with diplomas, everything that had happened among us as a community—interwoven, women and children. We realized there’s still much work to be done, such as continuing to invite men to get involved. We also noticed that the “Strengthening My Roots” program reignited many community sparks and impulses.

Thank you so much for supporting these wonderful stories of dedication and community. We’ll update you soon on what’s next for Chihuitán.