IXIM

In Mexico there are 62 indigenous peoples and despite this cultural richness, they have historically been marginalized. Tseltal people are the third largest, nonetheless they are still below the national average in education, access to services and incomes just to name a few. Since 1996, Ixim committed to Tseltal people in building alternatives for a self-managed and worthy life in respect of their values and culture. To do so, it deploys a 6-year program with women, focused on 3 areas:

1. Strengthening health and mitigating environmental impact. Through workshops on hygiene, nutrition habits and prevention of diseases; production of vegetable gardens; monitoring anemia on children and providing treatments; equipping homes with eco-technologies to have sufficient and drinkable water, non-smoke air and reforestation. This is the basis for any further work as it breaks with paternalist tradition and sets basic minimums of well-being.
2. Improving organization. Through activities that develop women’s leadership, communication skills, self-management and teamwork. This process is necessary considering that Tseltal women are traditionally houseworkers and caregivers who have no voice in the family and community decisions. It is also basic for the upcoming economic stage.
3. Fostering economic resilience. By boosting group savings and collective entrepreneurship, both in the frame of social and solidarity economy.

This process is done with particular attention to cultural relevancy, to avoid reproducing colonial patterns. Although the workshops are focused on women, families benefit directly and in the long term we expect to design regional strategies so well-being scales to community level.

The Amistad Canada–IXIM “Healthier Lives for Tseltal People Project” will consolidate healthy hygiene and nutrition practices, cultivation of vegetables, as well as strengthen child nutrition  and anemia among about ninety families in San José Patwits, San Miguel Canxanil and San Marcos Tulijá, in the Chiapas jungle.