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San Pedrito, Mexico
Rebecca and I were part of a group of 10 Bainbridge Islanders who visited San Pedrito in April, 2009. San Pedrito is a village in the Mexican state of Chiapas, made up of indigenous Tzotzil people who have a long history of persecution and neglect from the Mexican Government. Agros International, a Seattle-Based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) has entered into a long-term relationship with San Pedrito, aimed at fostering sustainable development of the village and its people.
Many of the people of San Pedrito are survivors of the Acteal Massacre, which occurred in 1997 in a village near San Cristobal, Chiapas. The Mexican Government conspired to murder 45 members of a pacifist group opposed to the ruling PRI party. Those killed included 21 women (four pregnant) and 15 children. Several of the men from the village were arrested following the massacre, and are still in prison. Some of their families continue to live in the village, while others have left to live closer to the prisons.
San Pedrito is located on the side of a mountain, about a mile from a very small town called Cristóbal Obregón. It is approximately three hours from Tuxtla, the capital of Chiapas. The people of San Pedrito were relocated to the land by the Mexican Government.
Agros believes that sustainable communities need clean water, shelter, and food security. Through partnerships like ours, Agros has provided guidance, tools, and loans which have allowed the people of San Pedrtio to build strong adobe homes and install the infrastructure to provide clean water year round.
In contrast, San Pedrito has not yet achieved food security. The soil is not suitable for farming, and low yields have forced Agros to provide grant-based agricultural aid, rather than the low-interest loans it uses for similar villages. Outside of the farming season, men and boys will work away from home for several weeks at a time as migrant laborers. If their land yields cannot be improved, there is a risk these villagers may become year-round migrant laborers.
The women of San Pedrito are learning to weave garments for export. They recently bought their first sewing machine, and Agros will soon be providing more on credit. Traditional garments are hand-woven, and take up to six months to complete. With the sewing machines, the village can more quickly produce marketable textiles such as napkins, tablecloths, and fabric bags.
The children of San Pedrito don't experience childhood in the way we know it. Girls begin caring for younger siblings as early as age 5, while boys begin working as soon as they are strong enough. With the help of Agros, the village has secured two full-time teachers, but attendance often competes with fundamental survival needs.
Our team universally agrees that the trip benefited us more than San Pedrito. Nevertheless, Agros tells us these visits are important to the village for several reasons:
- Our ongoing relationship validates their progress and gives them a sense that others care about them.
- The planning around our visit creates a structured time dedicated to improving their quality of life.
- Our ineptitude in manual labor gives them pride in their own skills. (I added that one)
- The activities we plan give kids a chance to be kids.
- Our actions create a positive view of Americans in the next generation.
Links:
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Video - Day One (5:04)
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Video - Day Two (6:23)
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Video - Day Three (7:55)
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Video - Day Four (8:47)
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Video - Outside the Village (9:16)
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