Lifetime clean water for Tarahumara Community

El Salvial, municipality of Batopilas, state of Chihuahua, MX Feb. 12, 2025, I carry you in my heart.

After months of hard work to obtain a trust fund, we received the good news, we also obtained additional financial resources and the number of beneficiaries tripled, which made us happy!

So I was on my way to El Salvial, eighteen hours away from the starting point, through uncertain roads, and at times unsafe, in the company of dear friends, all with the same mystique of service. We undertook yet another adventure of faith and service. During the last journey, the road became steeper and steeper, and the effects of a prolonged drought were noticeable. Finally we arrived.

I felt happy because I was going to verify the culmination of the project had been fully accomplished, above all, I would witness the realization of the dream of the inhabitants, to have a rainwater harvesting system and a storage tank that meant that they would stop walking kilometers to bring water to their homes, water that unfortunately in most cases, has some degree of contamination, the project would also have an impact on their health and the environment.

Part of the logistics was to collect donations of food, clothing, nutritional supplements, toys, water bottles, and other items to be delivered to members of the community, we were prepared, it was already known that this place was classified as one of extreme poverty and our custom was to arrive with something to share.

From the top of the mountain we saw the people waiting for our arrival, the children attentive, with their faces full of expectations.... We got out of the vans, began to shake hands, and the expressions on our faces changed to happy ones as we were confronted with a painful sight, the girls' dresses tattered, the boys' pants and shirts and the men with patches upon patches, most of the women and children barefoot, we began to see the signs of chronic malnutrition... and much of what defines extreme poverty, and we have been to other communities, but none like this one.

As I greeted one of the mothers holding a baby, I gently took him in my arms, I was surprised by his low weight, I could see the size of his head that did not match the rest of his little body, the sparse, brittle, reddish hair, his cry was dry, barely audible, his rictus of pain... or hunger, and his legs and feet hung like thin, loose strings, his skin was cramped... wrapped in a piece of cloth. I had only seen these babies in the arms of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I remembered what she said to one who was with her and who got to hold a being in conditions like this, “give him all your love, he has little life left. I remained silent as I did the same.

From feeling joyful, in fractions of seconds I went to a deeply heartbreaking feeling, it was as if someone was pulling my heart in opposite directions and in an instant it was torn into a thousand pieces, I was stunned for a few seconds. I managed to see other little creatures in a similar condition, for fear of offending them I passed my gaze to others as if trying to find something to attenuate my pain... Seeing me with eyes full of tears, my great friend's hands in an act of tenderness took the baby, took him to his chest, whispered words that seemed to me like a prayer...

There was much more to do. Everything was coming into her hands, some were eating the cereal, others the processed food, men unloading the sacks of beans and potatoes, girls carrying water almost to the top of barrels on their heads, their feet, walking swiftly in a balanced rhythm that kept the precious liquid inside the container without spilling a drop.

Those eyes, those faces, the bare feet have left a deep impression, a greater and more meaningful commitment. They all remain in my heart and in my most fervent and sincere prayers. My voice, which is also theirs, will be heard with greater strength... Thanks to all who collaborated.

In the Sierra Tarahumara, where community life and tradition are the heart of every day, a fundamental initiative has emerged to foster skills for community cohesion and peaceful coexistence. Under the Water Harvesting Project, the goal is to strengthen connections among children, youth, and adults in various communities, promoting an atmosphere of respect and unity.

What Is the Program About?

This training program focuses on building harmonious coexistence through the development of social skills, effective communication, and peaceful conflict resolution. Each of these skills is essential for fostering a culture of respect and empathy, which strengthens resilience and well-being within communities.

Each training session is designed to cover specific topics that help people interact openly and respectfully. From improving listening and expression skills to learning peaceful conflict resolution, these training sessions address a range of essential topics for community life.

Training Activities and Key Topics

1. Interpersonal Relationships: Each person in the community is a pillar of coexistence. These sessions promote open communication and mutual respect among participants to strengthen their relationships.

2. Communication Skills: Active listening and clear expression are fundamental for understanding and dialogue. The trainings teach effective communication and how to express ideas and feelings respectfully.

3. Promoting Respect and Empathy: To build a peaceful community, empathy and respect are essential. Here, participants learn to value and respect others' perspectives and experiences.

4. Conflict Resolution: To prevent disagreements from escalating into major issues, participants learn peaceful conflict resolution techniques.

5. Teamwork: Through collaborative activities, mutual support is strengthened, creating a community that works together and supports each other in times of need.

Participating Communities

The program reaches diverse communities across the municipalities of Carichí, Batopilas, Urique, and Guadalupe y Calvo. Each of these communities benefits from training activities, developing a sense of belonging and mutual respect that contributes to their cohesion.

A Future of Unity and Support

Thanks to this program within the Water Harvesting Project, each participating community moves beyond differences and focuses on what unites them: the desire to live in a peaceful, collaborative, and sustainable environment. This project not only strengthens essential skills but also creates a space where each community member feels valued, turning diversity into a shared source of richness.