IMPACT STORIES

Tejiendo Alianzas

Oaxaca, Mexico

Reimagining Resources

Region:

North America

Indigenous communities catalyzing economic and social growth

In the rural and colorful lands of Oaxaca, Mexico there are vibrant communities investing in their own economic and social growth. For far too long, Mexico’s indigenous communities have been ignored and face an uphill battle. For various factors, including isolation and it being a widely scattered area, there are extremely limited economic opportunities that have resulted in immense poverty. Oaxaca is among one of Mexico’s top three poorest states. Migration has become the only option for many, forcing households to become increasingly dependent on remittances. But in many of the communities, you will find individuals working together that are taking their communities’ vitality into their own hands.

Guided by Tejiendo Alianzas and led by social entrepreneurs Richard Hanson and Sarahi Garcia, a new collaborative model that builds stronger and more autonomous communities is underway. With rich partnerships and community co-designed roadmaps, local economic and community-development projects are successfully taking place. One of these initiatives is the mesquite project under the Suchilquitongo Community Development Association (SCDA), a local cooperative of twelve farmers who grow mesquite, banana and amaranth flour.

Under the mesquite project, the collective is producing a highly-nutritive flour from mesquite pods. Profitable sales and distribution of the mesquite flour could lead to a more self-sufficient community. This social enterprise has the potential to not only generate business and create jobs locally, but ultimately, put resources back into the community to finance other projects.