CHOICE Humanitarian Mexico Field Operations

Cultivating a better life.

2011-06-14T16:00:00.010-06:00

A few months back we told you about Alejandro and Lupita, a young couple living in Mexico with two small children and a dream. We told you about their desire to start a plant and animal nursery, even though they are both blind. With your help, their dream is now blossoming!

Alejandro feeling the leaves to determine if the plant needs water.

Your support has helped CHOICE Humanitarian provide unique training for Alejandro and Lupita, and the startup capital needed for their nursery, which is now growing all the time.

They currently have 28 goats (20 adults and 8 kids), 6 rabbits, 10 sheep, 25 chickens, and plenty of plants, flowers and trees. Their plan is to repay the loan for these animals and plants within the next year. The goats provide 4 liters of milk a day which they can sell, and they can also sell the kids for 400 pesos each (about $34). The other animals can also be sold for a profit.

Alejandro with his goats.

Another project of focus for the family is raising plants which are perfect for “Square Foot Gardening.” This system is becoming very popular in the area since it is a way to grow a lot of fruits and veggies in a small raised bed - perfect for areas with poor soil, limited space or inexperienced gardeners.

Soil class.

Thanks to your support, this family now has a viable business which, for them, is literally producing a way out of poverty. They are a bright example to the community of hard work and dedication. With your continuing support, CHOICE will be able to provide opportunities for other families just like Alejandro and Lupita – families who want a better life for themselves but just need a little help to get started. Thank you to each and every one of you at Spectrum Health who donate from your paychecks each month to make this happen. Alejandro and Lupita thank you as well.

What if?

2011-03-11T13:45:00.015-07:00

The internet - what did we ever do without it? With it we have access to information at the click of a button. What if rural villages around the world also had access to this information? They could get answers to health questions, discover the best way to fertilize their crops, learn a new skill, do their homework, or chat with relatives far away. It would open up new opportunities and provide access to resources that could assist them in creating a better life for themselves.

CHOICE staff and villagers of El Estanco, Mexico.

The challenge. How do you get internet to rural villages which do not have phone lines and are too remote to get broadband from cell phone towers? We found the answer with a company called Concero Connect. Concero has a unique set of technologies that allow broadband to be delivered cheaply to these areas via satellite. Cool, huh? CHOICE Humanitarian and Concero have partnered together to create a pilot project in the tiny village of El Estanco, Mexico. A few weeks ago a team visited this village to install the necessary equipment and a few computers.

The result? The computers are being used daily, and as more people are learning how to use the internet (with the help of training classes), usage is growing.

Students in El Estanco using the internet for thier school work.

Here is a short video created on that trip which shows the impact this project will have on El Estanco:

The plan is to establish nine more internet cafes in Mexico and to partner with the local municipal governments to make this program successful and ready to expand. Each community internet café will be owned locally and offer services to the community such as internet browsing, telephone services, and videoconferencing. In the months to come, Concero Connect and CHOICE Humanitarian will also be adding new services to address the needs of these communities in healthcare, education and access to government services via the internet.

We are so excited about this partnership and the opportunities it will provide these communities. If you would like to support this project, please contact us anytime.

CHOICE Humanitarian

801-474-1937

Deseret Health Expeditioners visit La Joyita, Mexico

2011-02-14T15:54:00.000-07:00

On a crisp January morning, thirteen Deseret Health employees woke up in La Joyita, Mexico - almost 2000 miles from home. In this small rural village, the community had a dream of building a junior high for their children, but could not do it all on their own. Through the donations of Deseret Health employees and guidance from CHOICE Humanitarian, their dream is turning into reality.

For a week, Deseret Health employees worked side-by-side with the community, helping them to construct the very school house they were helping to fund. The community of La Joyita is so grateful for the opportunity to provide their children with additional schooling. They also celebrated the chance to get to know those who went on the expedition. Many of the villagers shed tears of joy and sadness when the group left. It was such a touching moment for everyone.

We wanted to share with you some of the comments made by the Deseret Health employees who were on this trip, as well as some drawings the children of La Joyita drew of the expedition.

"I feel very blessed to have been given the chance to go on this expedition. The dance was awesome! All of the villages came together and it was so incredible! I do feel it brought everyone closer together. The day we left was such an emotional experience. I hope that I will get the chance to do it again. Thank you so much for the chance of a lifetime."

"Volunteering in the village of La Joyita was such an endearing adventure. The people of the village were the most kind and generous people I have ever met. I will never forget this experience...I will cherish these memories forever! Thank you CHOICE!"

"Once again, CHOICE has renewed my faith in humanity. A diverse group came together despite cultural differences and accomplished amazing things. New attitudes toward life, people, and self-awareness is what CHOICE has put together with their amazing program."

"Lupa was a young woman I had the joy of staying with. I was in total awe of her...her life will forever be something I remember. I will never take anything for granted again after experiencing this expedition."

Thank you Deseret Health for helping this small village realize its dream of better education for their children.

Light Bulb Moment from a Hardware Store

2011-01-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

Hotel Barcelo, Guatemala City, Guatemala: As I write this, it is late Sunday night and I anxiously await our early morning departure for the communities I know and love here in Guatemala. Ironically, as I look forward to the morning it is two young women in Tamaula, Mexico who are on my mind. They have never been to Guatemala and probably never will, yet it is their lives that inspire me at this very moment.

I met Claudia and Anarosa in May of this year, during a similar expedition. Around twenty years of age, they are beautiful young ladies who you might expect to see giggling with friends, attending a dance or texting on a phone. However, these young ladies are actually entrepreneurs, the makers of some of the best goat cheese in all of Mexico. They and several of the families in their community have built a queseria (cheese factory) with CHOICE's help. They raise the goats, milk them everyday, make several varieties of cheese and package them all on their own. Tamaula Cheese can be found in local markets in Guanajuato.

Claudia and cheese.

For some, this may not seem much of an accomplishment. But in a community where the majority of the men are in the United States working and where the community's average income is less than $2 a day, this queseria is life changing. It is literally an option out of poverty for these families.

Anarosa (center) and Claudia (right) making cheese.

As a result, Anarosa and Claudia have found themselves in a unique situation. While I didn't realize it at the time, a bumpy truck ride into San Cristobal to buy some more supplies was the catalyst for a powerful moment of realization. It was mid-week and Juan was busy helping with the project. He suggested that we three girls take the CHOICE truck and head down to get the much needed cement. So, away we went - bumping along a dusty mountain road, one gringa and two locals on a little adventure. You can imagine how it looked.

When we arrived at the hardware store, Anarosa at a petite 5'4", very confidently explained to the store owner that we needed 20 bags of cement and we were only willing to pay a certain price. The store owner questioned her, but she stayed firm - 20 bags, no less. We got our cement, may have had a piece of cake and then returned back to the village and went on with the project. I had no idea how meaningful this small moment would become.

Claudia, Anarosa and Emily.

On the very last day of our expedition, Anarosa and Claudia pulled Juan Alducin, our in-country director aside and shared an epiphany: they were leaders. Starting with the moment in the hardware store when Anarosa negotiated for the cement and then throughout the week as they managed this group of Americans, they realized they were the ones who owned this project. Not only were they capable of doing things that they had been told only men could do, they were actual leaders. They had the knowledge, skill and confidence to do incredible things - like change their lives and take themselves out of poverty!

A thousand miles away, on this late night, ready to embark to another village, Anarosa and Claudia's faces are in my mind. To me, they represent one half of the reason I do these trips (and sacrifice the time away from my family during the holidays). They are the physical embodiment of what CHOICE is doing - connecting people to opportunity so that they can end their own poverty. And the other half of the reason I am here? My experiences with CHOICE allow me to restore my impoverished soul by connecting me back to what is important and who I truly am. For that I am forever grateful to Anarosa, Claudia and the countless people who have touched my life through CHOICE.

-Emily Franson

Cheese Co-op is growing!

2010-11-15T14:32:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from an expedition to Mexico and wanted to share with you what I saw and the work YOU are supporting.

The women of Tamaula, Mexico are making history...and cheese! With the help of CHOICE Humanitarian, they have created their own all women business making gourmet goat cheese and selling it to the surrounding areas. The process starts around six in the morning and the most basic cheese (queso ranchero) can be done by lunch! Other types include decadent berry marmalade mixtures or seasoned herb & spice varieties. These flavored cheeses take up to three days to rest before they are ready to eat.

Different types of cheese.

As with all expeditions, our recent expedition to this village was amazing! We traveled with a group of college students from an organization called FeelGood World, which has recently partnered with CHOICE and our cause! FeelGood students manage gourmet grilled cheese delis on college campuses across the United States raising money to end world hunger.

We stayed right in the village of Tamaual which has been working with CHOICE for a number of years and have completed many successful projects.

Up until now these women have each worked within their own tiny homes making cheese every day. They have been working hard towards expanding their business by building a cheese production factory in the village!

The factory.

As we arrived, the cheese factory was just about completed, but we had the privilege to help with some of the finishing touches. We assisted in plastering and painting the exterior with a beautiful aqua blue. We also worked with villagers in building a cement cistern used to capture water from the upcoming rainy season.

Building the water cistern.

This cheese factory will allow the women of Tamaula to work together and increase production of their delicious cheese. They already have their own logo, beautiful packaging and a high demand for their product!

My favorite thing about the women of Tamaula was their sense of humor and patience for one another. There was a lot of teasing and laughing despite the hard work. When you remember to laugh, life is a whole lot more enjoyable.

Our time in Tamaula was very rewarding. It was amazing to see an empowered, thriving village as a result of the partnership with CHOICE Humanitarian. Thank you, Deseret Health, for supporting Mexico and these beautiful women!

-Carissa

A Wonderful Surprise!

2010-07-15T15:51:00.000-06:00

I just received an inspirational email from Juan in Mexico that I wanted to pass along to all of you at Deseret Health. Recently we visited the village of La Joyita. This village desperately wanted to build a middle school which would benefit the entire area due to their central location.

Just recently they called Juan and invited him back to their village and to his surprise he arrived to find them already building the foundation of the school with their own resources!

These villagers do not have the resources to fund an entire school but they hoped that if they began to commit themselves and what little resources they had, something good would happen. This village drive, sacrifice and commitment is vital to the success of the project and their overall development. Fortunately, because of the support of Deseret Health employees, we will be able to assist in the completion of this school!

Now, together with the motivated villagers, this school will be become a reality for this community. This is CHOICE at its finest - bringing people together to accomplish great things! Thank you, Deseret Health and all our Mexico supporters for making this possible and for being a part of our global community.

-Leah

A New Relationship is Growing...

2010-07-15T13:51:00.000-06:00

Spectrum Health is now supporting a very special family in Mexico as part of its relationship with CHOICE Humanitarian.

Meet married couple Alejandro and Lupita.

Nelly, Alejandro, Lupita and Josue.

Alejandro and Lupita are in their mid twenties with two clean and well cared for children - Nelly, 3 years old and Josue, 14 months old. Their dream has always been to start a plant nursery to support themselves and their little family. The challenge is...they are both blind.

Recently the Blind Institute reached out to CHOICE Humanitarian, because of our presence and reputation in the communities, requesting help for Alejandro and Lupita. Ana Alducin spent 3 days with the family teaching them how to grow their own garden and to take care of a small orchard.

Imagine teaching a blind couple how to garden. Ana taught them how to identify seeds, determine quality of soil, measure how deep and how far apart to plant the seeds all based on touch and smell. Alejandro said, "I will feel the plants with my hands to know if they are sad or not. Then I will know if they need more water or need pruning."

They are now taking care of a small orchard, flowering plants, vegetables, and even have an herb garden. It is amazing what a little bit of training can do to help people reach their goals and dreams.

With your continued support this family will receive assistance building a greenhouse and education on how to grow additional crops. This will have a huge impact on the quality of life for this family. Thank you Spectrum Health for all of your support and for being a part of our global community.

Growing out of the Ashes

2010-06-25T13:54:00.000-06:00

A year ago a fire burnt the land around many of the CHOICE villages in Mexico, destroying vital vegetation. The lack of vegetation has created an extreme shortage of land for herds to graze.

Burnt field in Tamaula.

As a result villagers have had to drive long distances to purchase feed. The cost of gas and the feed has made it almost impossible for families to feed their animals. The villagers are working on a solution and have turned to CHOICE Humanitarian for help.

In-country team consults villager, Pancho,

who grew up on this land and understands the terrain.

In-country directors, Juan and Ana, teamed up local village experts and the School of Agriculture at the University of Guanajuato to identify types of seeds needed to revegetate the landscape.

Pancho explaining what seeds are needed.

CHOICE Humanitarian connected the villagers to The Granite Seed Company who graciously agreed to support the villagers in their efforts to identity appropriate drought resistant seeds and donate what is needed. University staff will teach the communities how to plant the seeds properly. Bringing partners to the table to find viable solutions to difficult challenges is one of the things CHOICE Humanitarian does best. Thank you to all who participated in this process!!!

Weaving a New Future

2010-05-17T13:18:00.000-06:00

Women in the CHOICE village of Morones are expanding their vision of development through a new small business venture. Last year local resident, Margarita Salamanca, was designing plastic crafts and embroidered goods on her own. With the encouragement and help of Juan Alducin, Director of CHOICE Mexico, Maragarita trained other women in the area how to create the crafts and has now created a small business for the community.

This new joint-business venture among neighbors has produced unique handicrafts made from plastic mesh and raffia ribbon: napkin holders, cell phone cases, utensil holders, key chains, and creative multipurpose baskets. According to one male resident, "This is the craft of the future. The women are making beautiful things for common use."

The recent success of these women has drawn regional attention from the press. According to an article printed in the Imagen newspaper of Zacatecas, the women attended the Regional Fair of Tlaltenango as vendors, selling their handcrafted goods to the public.

Such interaction with direct customers proved beneficial. "Now we know what people want in regards to colors, materials, and models. Clients even suggested other things we could do," said Alma Villareal.

With the help of CHOICE Humanitarian, these women are taking their development into their own hands - literally! It is the CHOICE training and leadership building that opens up opportunities for villagers that they may not have otherwise recognized.

They have even started a blog to increase exposure and reach a larger market. Please visit http://artesanasdemorones.blogspot.com/ to learn more about these developing female artisans.

Make New Friends! Come to Mexico.

2010-03-18T15:37:00.000-06:00

Looking for a thrilling adventure and a meaningful experience this summer? We have just what you are looking for! Join CHOICE Humanitarian in Mexico and work hand-in-hand with native villagers for an entire week.

Situated just south of the United States, colonial architecture and adobe villages define the colorful nation of Mexico. Amidst the rural communities and scenic landscapes of the Bajio region, grateful villagers greet our CHOICE expeditions with joyful smiles and warm embraces.

PACK YOUR BAGS! The next CHOICE expedition to Mexico will begin on May 29th, 2010! Sign up now and join CHOICE Humanitarian in building people, not just projects. Contact Wade Alexander at walexander@choicehumanitarian.org or 801-474-1937 for more information.

Say "Cheese"!

2010-02-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

Three years ago CHOICE Humanitarian started a cooperative goat lending program in Tamaula, Mexico. We lent a group of willing villagers 100 goats and they paid us back 120 goats.

This program launched an unprecedented entrepreneurial business. The women in the village buy the milk produced from these goats and make a variety of 12 types of delicious cheeses. They have established partnerships with local restaurants and independent contractors who purchase their cheese at $2.50 - that is DOLLARS, not pesos!

This business has served as a training tool for the women who have had to follow department of health regulations, proper packaging, labeling and marketing skills. They even have their own logo: La Cima!Today, the women are producing 150 packets of cheese each week and are ready to expand their production to 1,500 a week now that they have buyers. This is an amazing economic development program putting financial resources right in the hands of both the owners of the goats and the women, making the entire village much more prosperous.

Thanks to your support powerful things are happening in the lives of those who have the drive to change their lives. THANK YOU!

Team Work

2010-02-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

Utah State University's Engineers Without Borders teamed up with CHOICE Humanitarian to support the village of La Salitrera, Mexico.

The group completed an assessment trip in January 2010, and are planning their next trip for August 2010. On this recent trip the group discovered many potential projects they can assist with that the villagers expressed a desire to accomplish. These projects include bathroom facilities, developing water treatment systems, passive solar technologies for cooking and bathing, and assessment and improvement of the water distribution system.

Here is a video they created from their trip.

CHOICE training benefits all generations in Mexico!

2009-12-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

Like most chicos from Tamaula, 10-year-old Luis Pablo attends his fourth grade class, completes his homework, and helps with chores around the house. So what makes Luis Pablo different from other children? He tends his own personal herd of goats!

Starting with just a few goats from his father, Luis Pablo has now expanded his herd to 9 goats and understands the true value involved. The milk provided from female goats is sold to other women in the village for goat cheese production, which is then sold through local markets. The male goats can also be sold or used for mating purposes.

CHOICE Humanitarian in Mexico has a program that supports Luis Pablo and others like him. CHOICE teaches Luis Pablo about the care of his goats and helps him with essential veterinarian services.

CHOICE also has a heard of goats that can be loaned out to other villagers in hopes of starting their own small herds. Afterwards, the villagers return the goats to CHOICE (plus a few extra as interest). This creates more goats that can again be loaned out to start new herds. This rewarding cycle grants villagers vital opportunities to learn new skills, support their families, and create business ventures through the sale of goats and milk.

Finding methods for economic development is crucial in alleviating poverty worldwide. We thank VCBO for assisting CHOICE Humanitarian in creating these opportunities in Tamaula. Your monthly donations directly help these families and their development in Mexico.

Water: A Basic Need and a Simple Solution

2009-11-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

Roberto, one of the natural leaders of Salitrera, is pursuing the village's dream of having year-round access to potable water.

Salitrera is a rural village located amidst the southern arid regions of Mexico receiving no more than 3 months of annual rainfall. During the other 9 difficult months, village families are required to endure multiple 30 minute walks each day just to find water! Roberto enrolled in a CHOICE Humanitarian course to learn how to build a water tank. He then returned home and built one for himself! As a result, other families are looking to Roberto as an example of self-motivation and achievement. The community development council is now creating a plan to build more tanks with the support of CHOICE and the Corporate Village Partner, Rumbi's grill. Each individual tank has the capacity to hold 2,000 gallons of water and will be used for drinking water and cooking in the dry season. This is incredible leap in progress will create a meaningful and long-lasting impact on the daily lives of each village resident. Thanks Rumbi's!

What is Rain Harvesting?

2009-09-08T16:43:00.000-06:00

Partially Completed Cistern

Mexico is currently working on rain harvesting techniques in Los Morones. This village is in a very arid area and there is never enough water. During some parts of the year their water source dries up and they have to find water elsewhere. This created a critical need to harvest water. This simply means to collect water when it is plentiful so it can be used all year round.

With your support, CHOICE is helping the community to build water cisterns which will catch rain water and store it for future use. A recent expedition of University of Utah students traveled to Mexico to help build a few of these cisterns. They were a part of a development class taught by Jim Mayfield (co-founder of CHOICE Humanitarian) which culminated in an expedition. This gave them hands-on experience from the knowledge they just leaned. The expedition was scheduled to go last May but due to the Swine Flu outbreak it was postponed until last month (August). Good thing our moto is flexibility!

U of U students helping to build cistern.

CHOICE will continue to support this project until every family in Los Morones has a cistern.

FIRE IN TAMAULA!

2009-04-10T16:30:00.000-06:00

A major fire broke out on 30 March 2009, and lasted almost 3 days. The fire came very close to some homes and destroyed vital grazing land for the goats. This deeply affects Tamaula as they use the goat's milk for their micro-industry, which is currently their only source of income within the village.CHOICE was able to provide bottled water, food, bread and oranges. Juan Alducin (CHOICE Mexico In-Country Director), called his good friend Marcela Cuen (Sentaor in the Mexican Congress); she sent firefighters, the army, and a small construction company which loaned them a machine to trench around the community to protect their homes.
A representative of the governor will be coming to see the damage and will help facilitate the implementation of a community water project. This project will help to restore the ecology of the hill and the grasses.

This is one of the most urgent needs right now, because the animals now have no place to graze. The hills around the community were the prime food source for the animals. We will also press for the creation of a fund that will provide temporary feed of the livestock.

Juan Alducin 2nd from right, Marcela Cuen far right

If you would like more information about Tamaula, click on this link to watch the Bajio Community Foundation video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMn1PiKtCAE

HIP - Hispanics in Philanthropy

2009-03-12T15:30:00.000-06:00

HIP's mission is to strengthen Latino communities by increasing resources for the Latino and Latin American civil sector; by increasing Latino participation and leadership throughout the field of philanthropy; and to foster change to enhance equity and inclusiveness.

Recently, a representative from HIP International spent some time in Mexico evaluating the CHOICE Humanitarian projects there. She evaluated the people working in the cheese factory and the men working with the goats. She had a personal interview with the workers about the projects they were working on.

Each of the reports were very positive, stating that CHOICE has a great model with strong organization and a very sound philosophy.

Tamaula, Mexico

Making the cheese -

The final product -

A GREAT TEAM!

2009-02-02T13:24:00.000-07:00

Student Expedition... May 9 - 17, 2009
CHOICE Hum anitarian is providing a unique service opportunity for students at the University of Utah! This special expedition is aimed at students from all fields of study. To learn more... or sign up... go to the CHOICE Ning site at: http://choicehumanitarian.ning.com/

Many hands make light work . . .

2008-11-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Judy Schvaneveldt is working with CHOICE to bring clean water to the Huichol people that live in the San Luis Potosi area. In 2007 she was the catalyst to raise enough money for a water project completion in Nueva Concepcion, Guatemala. Judy has a vision and her vision includes all people that live without clean water. In Judy's own words:

"The more places I visit in the world the more I see the need for people to have access to clean water. It is a basic need that we take for granted, one simple thing can save and enhance the lives of people so completely. My dream for Thanks for Water is that hundreds of people will give a small amount. It is amazing and exciting to me to see what can happen when people band together for good. And it's not a huge sacrifice for one person to give a little bit of money and to think if each person in an entire family, company, city, or even state gave just a tiny bit of money to focus on one thing then great things could come of it. If each person of my city, Salt Lake City (500,000), gave $1 and after pooling the money together, we could save lives and prevent illnesses . . . who wouldn't want to do this? It is amazing what can be accomplished when we work together for the good of our fellowmen. I want to act as a mobilizer to show people what they are capable of doing.

We all probably buy a bottle of water from time to time. Think about what could happen if for one day each person in the world contributed the money they would have spent on that bottle of water to go toward someone else having that same blessing of fresh, clean water in their lives. We could change the world for the better."

This photo is of a cistern that was built in El Estanco by CHOICE and the villagers there. The project that Judy is working towards seeing to completion in the San Luis Potosi area would include 3 separate cisterns and an animal corral that was already needed, with a very large roof area so that enough rainwater could be harvested and stored in the cisterns to meet the needs of many of the villagers.

Eslaban water cistern

Joya de Cortes cistern project

Mesa San Isidro cistern construction

2008-11-04T13:23:00.000-07:00

CHOICE Humanitarian is honored and pleased to be announced as the recipient of next year's service project by the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center at the University of Utah. This important development will help facilitate and foster the relationship between University students and CHOICE villages in Mexico.

Jordan Menzel, CHOICE advocate and student expedition specialist for CHOICE, will be leading a CHOICE expedition to Mexico in May 2009 that will help open a new CHOICE work area in Zacatecas, Mexico.

New Area and a New Partner...

2008-06-30T17:58:00.000-06:00

From Chris Johnson, Director of Field Operations:
"Juan (CHOICE Mexico Country Director) is working towards opening two new project sites as soon as financially possible in Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. I visited both areas on the recent visit and feel strongly that these are great opportunities for CHOICE."

Both of these areas represent Juan's push to start teaching and scaling the CHOICE method out to new communities. He has a plan by which more of his time is spent training key leaders in each village. The only obstacle now is the funding.

On this same trip was Megan McMillan, director of the Trivani Foundation, one of our Corporate Community Partners.

Chris' comments: "Megan McMillan met Juan and I in Mexico to visit San Luis Potosi and the current CHOICE villages in Guanajuato. She was inspired by the progress in Tamaula and has committed funding 1-2 ferro-cement cisterns/month for that village and provided immediate funding for the completion of the Telesegundaria School in Mesa de San Isidro."

Trivani currently funds a portion of CHOICE work in Kenya and Nepal. As part of their business model, a major percentage of their profits is funnelled into community development projects - helping to build the global community.

They have been a great partner and collaborator and we have enjoyed our interactions with them! We are excited to have their help in Mexico and look forward to them helping us grow that operation.

Update on HIP Project

2008-06-30T17:42:00.000-06:00

Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) Grant:
Chris Johnson, Director of Field Operations was recently on the ground with Juan Alducin, our Mexico Country Director. We had heard from Juan that the HIP project was moving ahead quite well, in fact keeping him very busy. Chris was amazed to see the progress.

During this same trip, executives from HIP visited several of the CHOICE villages. As Juan took them around, he explained what self-development means to us at CHOICE. And how his work with the villages inspires this tremendous change. In fact, the executives heard from the villagers themselves how the CHOICE model has inspired new opportunities and vision for their community.

Chris says, "All were impressed with Juan’s work and interested in the CHOICE model. Juan has entered year 2 in the 3-yr program. And based on what they saw, HIP will be requesting proposals soon in Guatemala."

This is a huge milestone for Juan as he is receiving wide recognition for his work - to the point where major foundations are coming to Mexico to see it for themselves.

Juan Receives Hispanics In Philanthropy Award

2007-12-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

Juan recently won the first ever international development grant from Hispanics In Philanthropy (HIP), a US-based NGO comprised of Latin populations living in the US and looking to assist their country of origin. Juan was chosen to receive this grant over 72 other NGOs who submitted proposals for the grant. Juan will now set the standard for sustainable development and village self-development for HIP in all future grant-making as they roll out their support throughout Latin American countries.

Conference Call with Juan 9.19.2007

2007-09-21T11:12:00.000-06:00

Things are happening in Mexico...

Jose’s community in San Lucas needed a roof for a building they were constructing. They came to ask Juan for the money because he was led to believe this project was going to supported by CHOICE. The community thought it was finally time to get the money and finish the building and thought Juan already had the money.

However, that was not the case. Juan had no money for them. Juan also told the community that the way CHOICE does projects now has changed. If a community really wants to complete a project, they have to find at least 50% of the funds needed and then contact CHOICE to find someone to fund the rest of it. The community was a little angry with Juan, but Jose told the community members it was true that things had changed at CHOICE Mexico.

The community then asked for donations from each family in the community, even those that were working in the USA. Money was gathered and used to purchase bricks and cement.

Juan says “In the end, they gathered enough money and so impressed their countrymen in the USA that the USA contribution doubled what the villagers had raised. They raised enough money together that they never came and asked CHOICE Mexico for any additional money or support. They prepared a budget and later they went and bought all of the materials by themselves. They even acquired the lumber they needed to climb the roof. The only thing they asked for from CHOICE was that we loan them the truck to transport their materials to the site.”

Working very hard, the community finished the building. Juan comments:
“I was very happy that they finished it without any money from CHOICE Mexico, and that they did all this by themselves. They ultimately found a way to help themselves. For me, this was a huge success.”

Juan is also working in the Hidalgo area...

He comments on a recent trip there:
"Well, I really couldn't do much. There is still so much water (6 feet in some places). But I'm going back their next week to help my friends fumugate for mosquitos. My friend was able to acquire a bunch of insectiside that we will take to the site to help control the mosquito problem. In October, I plan on another trip to make an in depth needs assesment study of the area and get to know the people and their current needs."

Feliz Navidad!

2006-12-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

Juan shared with us some of the holiday traditions from the Guanajuato region:

The holidays begin in December, but really consist of 4 main celebrations, starting with the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12th.

Followed by the celebration and traditions of Christmas, celebrated on December 24th in the ranchos (villages) we work with. Each family gathers and enjoys:

"muchos tamales"

"atole" - a special holiday drink

tequila

and a special hot drink of boiled fruit (like pears and guava), it is very sweet, and occasionaly they add a little tequila. It gives them much energy for the festivities!

Music and dancing

The birth of Christ is at the center of their beliefs - exhibited in the "arullamiento":

A small figure of the baby Jesus is put in a basket, covered with a special blanket and then passed around the room. Each person kisses the baby, in remembrance of the birth. For each person that kisses the baby, they recieve a piece of candy.

Juan joked that the last person to kiss the baby, tastes the kiss of all the others!

At midnight, everyone fires their pistols in the air to mark the day!

December 31st, the entire community comes out to ring in the new year, and a special Mass, "Misa de Gallo" (Mass of the Rooster) is held. Again - food, music and dancing are shared by the whole community.

Irapuato, the capital of the state, is actually the home to an amazing tradition, Las Posadas. Historically, a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph walking through the streets of Bethlehem was done between Dec 16-24 (as is in many states of Mexico). But, about 30 years ago a Catholic priest wanted to share this re-enactment with many more people, and unite the neighborhoods together around this holiday. So, he came up with a plan to extend the tradition from November - January. Each "barrios" (neighborhood) hosts it a different night - and there is a party with food, music and the traditional punch. Anyone from any of the neighborhoods can go to any house and eat and celebrate.

(Photo from http://www.inside-mexico.com/featurenavidad.htm)

This celebration is known throughout Mexico and is unique to Irapuato - and has truly united this community.

2006-11-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

From our recent conference call with Juan and his team in Mexico:

1.) First priorities for adoption-
a. Salitrera, Media Luna, and Mesa de Aguirre are all ready to be adopted. These will be highlighted at Gala

2.) Grant project for work in Sonora - update and brainstorming

3.) Potrerillos- a donor was wondering about progress and why things seemed to have slowed down:
a. Clinic-
-Roof in main room is incomplete
-Cement spoiled due to humidity
-Doctors and nurses come once every three months

b. Juan's thinking: The community is very scattered. Some houses are up
to a 1 1/2 hour walk away so it's very difficult to have people attend.
meetings. Each home/family prefers to work alone since it is hard for jobs
to get supervised.Some families that live near each other work together.
Also, the plot of land that was to be bought was not purchased because
the owner raised the price to $500 then to $1,500 after learning where the
money was coming from.
c. Cistern-
-Was not finished due to insufficient time during expedition
-Has yet to be finished
-About 12 families want to get hoses hooked up to their homes
d. The leader-
-Interns Carlos and Salomon, were threatened with a gun by the elected
leader and told that he is the boss and everything must be cleared by him
-As long as this leader stays in power very little, if any, progress will occur

(In general, this was discussed and consensus was that to have facilitated the adoption of Potrerillos may not have been the best idea..this village was not prepared and was not united in their efforts and this caused significant delays in the projects. Their leadership obviously is not conducive at this time for significant development….Juan is monitoring the village and will advise.)

4.) Thunderbird student study-
a. Ready to receive them on the 10th or 11th in Guadalajara
b.They want to visit the places where CHOICE has worked and migration
has decreased and where it hasn't.
- 80% of those that migrate to the U.S. go on a visa
-The secretary's office of employment has a list of employers seeking
Mexican workers
-It is easy for those who have used these visas to continue getting them when
they re-apply, but not for those who who are applying for the first time. This
has helped the village of Tamaula. Their people always return and this makes
it much easier to return and for others in the village to do the same.
-Often times a new applicant will have to be "sponsored" by someone who has
gone to the U.S.and returned. If the new applicant does not return, then the
original sponsor will not qualify for a new visa
-This is a good program because people go to the U.S., come back and
projects continue. (Tamaula is good example)
-In la Canada Del Norte people do not migrate to the U.S.

5.) November's urgent needs-
a. San Lucas
-Three Cisterns need to be finished
-Rabbitt and Chicken projects
b. La Ordenita
-Kindergarten room
-Eight Cisterns

Addressing Migration

2006-05-17T17:15:00.000-06:00

Exciting things are happening as a result of our partnership with another organization, Tia. Together, we are talking with government and other non-profits in Arizona and across the border in Sonora, Mexico. The topic of conversation is timely and important to each side: immigration. The State of Sonora wants to curb the number of their citizens and family members from migrating, to help preserve their communities.

Community Bakery in Guanajuato - one of CHOICE's micro-enterprise projects

Ideas centered around new large scale enterprises to give income generating opportunities is at the forefront. Along with improved access to healthcare and basic infrastructure.

The energy is palpable on both sides, so we anticipate more to come quickly. Juan will be doing site visits and looking for support staff in the coming months.

**Chris Johnson, Director of Field Operations, with Lupillo - one of the primary partners in a goat dairy coop in Guanajuato. Lupillo sites the dairy coop as the reason why he and others don't have to go to the US. But, can stay with their families.

To learn more about Tia and their focus on strengthening and extending healthcare in Mexico, email Laura Libman, founder of Tia at libman@cox.net

CHOICE Humanitarian Mexico

2006-03-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

Here are excerpts of our weekly conference call with Juan Alducin, In-Country Director for Mexico.
*Original conversation in Spanish

Call with Juan 2.27.06

Q: How is the team?
A: The team is good, they are all here.
(the Rural Development Facilitators, RDF, from several villages join Juan on the conference calls)

Q: How are things?
A: Things are good, but my biggest concern is keeping funding going to the village, which is crucial to maintaining respect and trust from village.
(The number of projects and amount of change that takes place within a country are directly proportional to funding from donors and how the in-country staff can leverage those resources.)

Q: What is going on in the villages, what are you thinking about?
A: I would like to do home improvements in San Lucas - especially roofing.

Q: How does that help the village progress?
A: It would really help build trust between the community and Jose (the RDF) and CHOICE. They are so engaged to get projects done, I don't want to slow their energy.

Q: Does it create competition or problems in the village, improving individual homes?
(Sometimes, if projects are too individually focused, it can create competition and jealousy between families.) Are they going to be helping each other improve homes?
A: Not if we do it right - if we do it to build the community then it also helps build trust between the village and CHOICE as well. Also, Jose will gain respect in the community, some of the people do not have as much respect for him, because he has solicited projects and funds, and then we haven't had enough money to do the projects.

Jose and his daughter, pictured here in San Lucas.

Q: Is there another project, or is this the most urgent?
A: No, this is the most urgent need in San Lucas. To be able to capture the rain for water, they need a good roof for the catchment system. And it's also a health and hygiene issue. The family will put in 30% of cost, plus the labor.

Q: What other villages are you working with?
A: I am interested in a new project in Tamaula - it's a "mini-greenhouse," a 10'x10' temporary structures. We've piloted it using a technology that we came up with - we use plastic in the winter to maximize the sun, and then in the summer they need shade, so we use a mesh/net covering to protect the plants.
(One of the biggest issues in this area is that it is so arid - and their diets are so limited, usually just beans and tortillas. So, being able to maximize the amount and types of food that they have access to, means better health, no malnutrition, etc.)

Q: How does it compare to the greenhouses we do in Bolivia?
A: They are considerably less expensive than Bolivia - a couple of families have tried it out and it has worked really well. We've introduced the technology in Salamanca, we have been doing it with the cactus leaves - nopales - for their own consumption, but then they can bulid it into a cash crop business if they want to.

Q: What else?
A: In Tamaula - we need to do corrals for goats. We've got government funding to build the pens for the goats, but they won't disburse the money, until CHOICE sends the money to buy the goats. We could use the Cameron micro-enterprise money for the $9000 for the goats, and then the governmen't puts in $20k for pens.

Q: So funding wise, what are you needing right now?
A: On our list are the following:
El Estanco - finish the kindergarten - $750
Tamaula - goat money - $9000
Tamaula - mini-greenhouses - $300 each
Motorcycle for Jose (RDF) - Jose is putting in $1000 of his own money, the other half of it is a loan, and he will pay it back. So, we still need $1500.

To find out more about micro-enterprise or how to support the villages in Mexico - email me at efranson@choicehumanitarian.org and visit our website, www.choicehumanitarian.org.