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We chose to launch our Hygiene Program (HP) in the impoverished San Mateo hills communities, outside Mexico City, where we have over the past few years assisted many families with food aid.
Part of the Hygiene Program involves the actual washing and bathing of the children with their mothers participating, while our staff expound on proper bathing instruction and various cleanliness tips. Additionally, children and parents receive instruction on the proper methods of tooth brushing through a series of skits and illustrations. We pass out hygiene kits that we had put together,
each including a toothbrush, toothpaste, bar of soap and shampoo
for each recipient. After a thorough wash, each child then receives
new clothes and shoes, along with personal hygiene items and washbasins.
(Considering that many of these families don’t have running
water, and children otherwise only wash once every two weeks,
these families are very appreciative to be involved in the program.)
Since we have found that programs based on a spiritual foundation prove to be the most effective and self-sustaining, we also introduce the importance of cleanliness of the soul, and here we introduce instructional Bible verses, and the parallel of how Jesus came to cleanse our souls from all our faults and shortcomings. In this way we attempt to attend to both the basic physical and spiritual needs of these folks. Many of these dear people otherwise have little hope or faith for their future. The love of God and faith born through the reading of the Bible is very strengthening and comforting for the poor, a healing balm and a ray of hope in their hearts Prior to undertaking our Hygiene Program in the
San Mateo slums, our research involved interviewing a number of
families who would be potential clients for the program. We targeted
disadvantaged families with 3 - 5 children and who cannot afford
most of these items.
In the photo at above left, you see the habitat of Adan and Ofelia, where they and their four grandchildren live, the typical, very primitive structure in this neighborhood, practically a lean-to of metal sheets and boards. They have no running water so they borrow from the next-door neighbor using a long hose. Obviously, staying clean and avoiding sicknesses is not easy in these kind of living conditions. This couple’s four grandchildren, whom they have been raising, all have had stomach disorders, skin warts and diseases. Adan also has had several bouts with diarrhea but he has come to accept this as a part of life. Clearly, our program had to be basic enough to help folks like Adan, Ofelia and grandkids.
Another family that we interviewed was Laura, a single mother with three children ages 14, 12 and 4 (see photo above). Laura has been struggling with keeping up with the needs of her children, and she also expressed concern for the health and well being of her family as they had gone through sicknesses, lice problems and worms. She confirmed that there were many other families in this area that would benefit from a cleanliness hygiene program. When questioned about their living conditions, and
their personal appearance and self-esteem, the general response
from such families was that they wanted to learn about cleanliness
and hygiene, as they desire to elevate their level of living and
quality of life. Parents typically commented on the shortage of
water, the danger of sewer water in play areas, lack of money
to buy their food and cleaning supplies, etc. They especially
wanted their children to learn about staying clean and having
a better presentation, as they feel this will enhance their future
educational and work opportunities.
So simple objectives like hand-washing, the availability of clean water, having a basic set up for cooking, appealed to these families as much as if we had been offering them a complete set of new furniture for their dwellings. —As they saw it, a hygiene program would provide a building block to bring about lifestyle changes that will make a difference. And so our Hygiene Program (HP) was conceived, and keeping in mind their very basic economic abilities, solutions had to modeled on low cost options.
Click archive articles below to learn more about Click archive articles below to learn more about Proyecto Ayuda (Project HELP): Tarahumara Aid Project
By Carlos Cedillo, Project Manager In a struggle for survival, in the 1500’s, the Tarahumara Indians escaped the Spanish Conquistadors by fleeing to the nearly inaccessible canyons of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Northern Mexico. Today, centuries later, there are over 250,000 Tarahumaras living in caves, under cliffs and in small wood and stone cabins in remote areas, largely undisturbed by modern civilization.
On February 3rd of this year, the well-known Universal Newspaper of Mexico City published an article entitled: "Tarahumaras—On the Edge of Survival." This report explains how several years of drought have caused severe food shortages for the Tarahumaras. As well, recent winters have become increasingly colder, leaving many children dead for lack of proper shelter, clothing and food. On our first trip to the Tarahumara region, we spent four weeks visiting several of the most remote of the Indian communities and assessing their needs. Those living in the valleys have received a measure of supplies from government agencies and charitable organizations, but still lack such basics as medical and food supplies, blankets and warm clothing. As we traveled into the high mountains, we found many small one-family caves and hovels. These mountain dwellers were, by far, the most needy of all we visited. Many suffered from an acute shortage of food, surviving only on Pinole, a flour they grind from corn and drink with water. The children are malnourished and susceptible to many diseases.
We have made several subsequent trips to the Sierra Tarahumara. The Tarahumaras were dubbed such by the Spaniards, but are also known as the Raramuris. Since these hardy mountain people have suffered the bitter cold of recent winters that have claimed many lives, Project HELP’s mission was to deliver 1½ tons of warm winter clothes along with a message of the love of God. Our first phase of the trip brings us to the cabin of Chemo & Margarita, some Tarahumara friends. Here in the valley village of Cusarare we leave behind our vans to climb the rocky terrain. The mountains sport incredible rock formations which seem to defy gravity. Upwards we hike, in and around the mountain crevices, visiting and talking with mountain folk who we encounter. On the second day of our expedition, this time by vehicle, we start off at 6am to meet with the wife of the municipal president, who would lead our team 4 hours deep into Tarahumara country to a secluded needy area called Hogasachi (500 kilometers south of Juarez) on the way to Carichi. We travel over rough dirt terrain, glad for the new heavy-duty shock obsorbers installed for this trip. In a wide valley we arrive at the village of Hogasachi and discover that this day most of the surrounding Tarahumara women and children were gathering at the village school for a special celebration. We set up our vans at the entrance of the school and we spend hours distributing warm winter clothes to the Indian women, children and some men that come by.
On our descent we pause to enjoy a beautiful waterfall one hour from the Cusarare village. Some of the hardier volunteers venture about 300 meters to the base of the falls to swim in the cold mountain waters. We continue to raise support and gather supplies for on-going missions to help these needy, neglected people. We need your help.
More on our work with the Rarámuri (Tarahumara) |
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