Support Grassroots Earthquake Recovery in Mexico

Dear supporters,

It’s been over a year since our grantee partners received their grant and they have been carrying out excellent work in their communities. These are some examples:

• The women in Mujeres de la Tierra y el Sol have begun building their new community center in Tepapayeca, Puebla. Their old one fell down with the earthquake and they have been working hard to prepare all the materials. Their new center will be built with bahareque, a traditional and natural method that combines earth, straw and bamboo sticks; all materials that can be found in the community. The center will provide them with a meeting space and a production space for the natural products they produce. These include creams, jams, lip balms, seasonings and others.
• The women in 06600 Plataforma Vecinal y Observatorio de la Colonia Juarez, working in downtown Mexico City, have already carried out two of their workshop series to help women overcome the fear of the earthquake and be better prepared for any eventuality. The workshops include first aid, self-defense, civil protection and self-care. They have already filled out all the spots for the third series that starts in September.
• The Mujeres Pescadoras del Manglar have already finished cleaning up two thirds of the canal that got covered up with the movement of the earthquake in Zapotalito, Oaxaca. This canal connects the lagoon where they used to fish with another one that’s connected to the ocean. After the earthquake, all the fish died and they hadn’t been able to earn a living. Their cleaning up process has already brought back some fish and shrimp species to their lagoon.
• The women in El Sueño de Huejotengo have finished their training in carpentry and masonry, fixing their houses and building their own furniture. They are now aiming towards becoming a cooperative that sells products from avocados, a fruit that abounds in the area. Their name will be Nepanyotl Cihuatl, which means “women working for women” in Nahuatl, the original language of the area.

We couldn’t be more proud of all our grantee partners have accomplished. And thank you again for believing in us and them to lead this recovery process. We will continue updating you on our progress.

P.S.: Remember that next week is GlobalGiving’s Little by Little campaign where all small donations will be matched up to $50. It would help us so much if you could help us spread the word among your friends and family so that women in the affected communities can continue their incredible work of rebuilding their communities.