CURRENT PROJECTS
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & AGRICULTURAL
SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN CUERNAVACA, MORELOS, MEXICO
Partner: Comunidad
Despite positive democratic reforms in Mexico, the
gap between the rich and the poor continues to grow. The livelihoods
of small-scale farmers, indigenous peoples and independent workers
are threatened by the expansion of the agricultural industry and
the construction of hydroelectric dams.
Since 1996, Comunidad has sought to improve the quality
of life for the most vulnerable social sectors of Morelos including
women, children, youth, and physically disabled individuals by investing
in sustainable community projects.
In association with Change for Children Association
(CFCA), Comunidad works with local agricultural producers in Cuernavaca,
Morelos to promote self-sufficiency in agriculture and to encourage
community members to buy locally produced food. The project’s
key goals include the improvement of the local economy by increasing
the capacity of local producers through organization; training,
technical and financial support; the empowerment of women in the
marketplace and community; and community participation in the development
of government policies regarding agriculture. The results of this
project allow individuals, families and the community to control
their livelihood rather than allowing external forces like industry
impact their daily survival. Over 500 local agricultural producers
are benefiting from the project. Producers’ capacity for action
is expanding through a process of technical training and the creation
of micro-enterprise initiatives.
This project is supported by a Wild
Rose Foundation grant.
WOMEN SMALL BUSINESSES INITIATIVE MARKETTING
ORGANIC COTTON IN TLAQUEPAQUE, JALISCO, MEXICO
Partner: Fundacion Santa Maria
Fundacion Santa Maria administers a small business
project which provides women with the skills, knowledge and support
to develop their own small businesses. By giving marketing support
for the Organic Cotton products that the women produce, women are
able to generate income and have a positive impact on their households
and communities. This project empowers women, while promoting the
ecological cultivation of a highly marketable product. Fundacion
Santa Maria also runs a shelter to assist the women in the project
by caring for their children.
A success story….
In Tlaquepaque in the outskirts of Guadalajara, a
group of mothers whose children were being cared for in the Santa
Maria del Tepeyac Shelter used a small donation (of about $5,000)
made through CFCA to purchase four sewing workstations. They organized
a co-operative to produce attractive, casual wear out of organic
cotton and linen. These women now work close to home, instead of
having to use 3 or 4 buses to reach the poverty wage employment
they previously held. As a result, they have more money and time
to care for children and have reduced their need for the Santa Maria
shelter.
CAMINAMOS JUNTOS – WALKING TOGETHER FOR HEALTH AND
DEVELOPMENT IN CUERNAVACA, MORELOS, MEXICO
Partner: Caminamos Juntos
Caminamos Juntos works for the development of community
infrastructures such as a water and sanitation system. As well,
their projects include services for health promotion, vocational
training, special needs assessment, and nutrition and education
for children. Many Canadians support these projects because they
have seen children’s lives in the area improve substantially.
PAST PROJECTS IN MEXICO
HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE IN TEJUANTEPEC, MEXICO
Partner: Human Rights Centre
Plans for the Isthmus of Tejuantepec, the proposed
site of a huge hydroelectric dam and dry-canal, has threatened to
drive many small farmers and indigenous peoples from their land.
The Human Rights Centre educates people about their rights and promotes
alternative community-centered development plans, in contrast to
what the current international trade agreements envision for this
area.
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International Projects