Tiapanala Community

Today we drove out of Puebla for about 1 1/2 hours to a small community where we had an opportunity to speak to locals about migration issues.

Many of the men in this community have chosen to head North to make more money or get better opportunities to work. This leaves the women and children to survive until money is sent to them for survival.

An anthropologist who has been working in the community for the past eight years began working in Tlapanala as part of her thesis She has now decided to stay to support the community and start several programs to help this community. Her first project was a recycling program which allowed older women some independence to colllect materials that could be recycled and get a small amount of money from it. She also works with a local nurse who has created a program that supports people suffering from illnesses like diabetes. The nurse also educates women on how to live a healthy lifestyle. The women get a monthly allowance to help with diet, family planning, and cleanliness but they have to attend classes or the money stops.

Another program was called "Roots" which encouraged the oral traditions of stroy telling to record the history of this community. The intention is to record the stories that would have otherwise been lost due to high migration and mobility. The community published a book of these stories that were told by the adults, written by older children and illustrated by the younger ones.


Another grant was given to the children to start a farm for subsistence which included purchasing a rooster and 12 chickens with fencing and feed. They also got plants and seeds so they could grow their own food. It is hoped that if they can run thier own small farm, they would not migrate away from Mexico. It costs about $800 for each venture. The girls in the village also made cold cuts and sausage from the chickens that were killed for meat. Other chickens were used for egg sales. It was quite the industry and it is hoped that all 55 small farms will forma a coop soon and maybe sell to Walmart.