In general, Mexico does not share in the tradition of having
non-profit organizations that provide assistance to others. That
assistance has usually been provided by the extended family which
serves as the safety net when help is needed. However, there are many
international organizations that have filled this gap and which have
provided a model that is now being adopted Mexican groups.

Ayuda, Inc., an Oregon based tax exempt non-profit founded in 1987,
is one example of how a small group of concerned Americans has
provided long-term assistance to those needing it in the southern
Mexican State of Oaxaca. The mission of Ayuda (‘help”) has been to
establish small scale agricultural projects in remote mountain areas
whose focus has been
re-forestation and soil conservation.

The most successful project has been carried out in a small village
in the Mixe region of Oaxaca involving a group of 18 women ranging in
age from 16 to 65. These women have reforested 100 acres of the
steepest hillside imaginable and then planted a grove with 500 peach
trees. This was a major undertaking that required grafting saplings
to root stock that was more adaptable to this region. Next the women
had to dig holes 2 feet square often having to remove large rocks
using 2 x 4’s and ropes to wedge the rocks out of the holes. The
holes were then filled with compost that the group had made. The
compost had to be hauled by the women in large sacks up the steep
hillside. After this the young trees were transplanted into the
carefully prepared holes and are being carefully maintained by the group.

Why all this hard labor? The women were determined to generate a
source of income that would provide enough for them to live on and
remain in their native villages. They wanted to avoid the harsh
reality that befell many of their “sisters’ in other villages: the
necessity of having to leave home in search of work in larger Mexican
cities or in the US. These women want to remain in their village with
their families and raise their children in their traditional manner.
This hard work still does not bring in enough money for all to remain
in the village. Often the younger men have to leave for a few years
to find another source of income. However, as the orchards start to produce
sellable crops and as the women plant more acres, their hope is that
future generations will have the possibility of remaining at home.

Another interesting project has been the introduction of a hardy
grass called vetiver. This non-invasive grass, whose roots grow to 8
feet deep, is planted in rows across barren hillsides to help stop
soil erosion and develop natural terraces. The groups who have
received vetiver have done so with the understanding that they will
pass plants on to other groups. Eventually they may establish a
nursery and start to sell many kinds of plants.

Ayuda has provided grants to the various groups to buy the seeds and
grass and other necessary equipment as well as given the women a
small salary for their huge efforts.

Projects like this one are found throughout Mexico and have a huge
impact on the villages that participate. If anyone would like to
make a tax deductible contribution to this project please contact
this writer and I will put you in touch with the appropriate
personnel. This is one area where, indeed, a little money goes a long
way toward providing the means for women to keep their families together.