Adopt a Village-Building the Capacity of Hacienda de la labor in Jalisco, Mexico
A Humanitarian Project
10.14.19
The “Adopt a Village Model” is a long term community development initiative, which seeks to build capacity in the areas of health, shelter, literacy, nutrition, economic and community development in the village of Hacienda de la labor.
Rotary Areas of Focus
- Basic education and literacy
- Economic and community development
The purpose of these projects are to build capacity for youth and their families in the village that will expand their knowledge and skills. In the specific areas of :
- Shelter/Warmth
- Nutrition
- Medical Care
- Work skills
Each of the above areas will be developed and implemented as separate projects.
These are essential for healthy community development. The building of capacity in these areas will contribute to the growth of a more healthy and sustainable community. This in turn builds a stronger foundation upon which to develop future projects.
Location: The rural village of Hacienda de la labor sits at 6000’, on a hill 1.42 kilometers above Lake Chapala, Mexico. The village is 4 kilometers from the East end of the City of Chapala.
There is no regularly scheduled public transportation that goes to the community. It takes approximately 35 minutes to walk to the nearest public transportation. There is an elementary school in the community. The only storefront business is a small store.
Demographics: The population is 139 individuals. There are; 26 children age 6 or under, 16 children ages 7-11, 16 youth ages 12-17 years of age, 24 young adults 18-26 years of age, 15 adults 27-36 years of age, 22 adults 37-56 years of age, 13 adults, 57-76 years of age and 7 adults 77 or older.
Employment: Hacienda de la labor has been identified by the Chapala Municipality as a low economic area. There has been a lack of industrial work or private business in the community. In a community survey 83% stated in the last 5-10 years there has not been an opportunity for work in the community. Of those who work, 86% of the individuals travel outside the community. 76% of the families do not have anyone working in their family. Of the 24% that had a member of their family working, 4 of the individuals worked 45 - 92 hours a week. Only 4 people work in the Hacienda de la labor community. One person works at the state prison located above the community. There is a small community of foreigners who live higher on the mountain.
Education: There are adults and youth of the community who have only completed 6th grade or less. During 2017 it was observed that there are those adults do not read or read well and are unable to write at a competent level. We are aware of a lack of competency in children, ages 7-11 through directed activities we provided over the last year. There are 3 computers in the school. Internet service is available via smartphones or landlines to those who can afford the service.
Goals of the projects;
- Involving the community to support programs that strengthen the capacity of communities to provide basic education and literacy to all
- Increasing adult literacy in communities
- Building the capacity of community leaders, residents and community networks to support economic development in impoverished communities
This training is in response to a community needs assessment in this marginalized and poverty-stricken area of Jalisco State.
Areas of training selected by the community in a survey conducted in November-December 2018:
- Textiles
- Care provider
- Tutoring
- Small container gardening
- Home Repair
Activities:
- Training adult community members in basic work skills
- Providing families with strategies for pursuing local educational opportunities for their children
- Tutoring children and adults in reading, writing and math knowledge and skills required to pursue secondary education and jobs locally
- Expanding community awareness by providing the knowledge, skills for what constitutes a safe, healthy and productive community
- Provide child care classes for stay at home caregivers to provide a service for parent(s) who will need to work outside the community
Projected number of beneficiaries: The projected number of beneficiaries is based on personal interviews with a potential of 85 community members (Total community population is 139) who could participate in a training. (Conducted June 2018/October/November 2018)
Budget: Approximately $53735 USD overall. As each project is developed and implemented separately the budget will be smaller for the specific projects.
Rotary Club of Ajijic, Mexico District 4140
Contact Mac Whyte-macrotario@gmail.com
Club website: http://www.rotaryajijic.org/
Butterflies en Mexico (Registered Mexican non profit #BME140304JI3) gomariposa.org