Rotary makes strong impact in Mexico
By FRANK C. MURRAY, For The Evening Leader
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The remote tribe of Indians called Tarahumara or Raramuri in their native language, number some 60,000 people scattered throughout the rugged mountain range. Many of the Indians who live away from any village or town are still cave dwellers. The Tarahumara are known for their abilities as long distance or endurance runners as it is part of their culture. Hunting for deer or other game was accomplished by running the animals down until they were exhausted. A gentle people by nature, they have been driven into these mountains to escape modern civilization.
The motto of the RMMP clubs for their international project is "Making lives better while preserving a culture." Through an annual financial commitment by the clubs and the effective use of matching grants from The Rotary Foundation, the RMMP's financial impact of this project will soon exceed $300,000.
A recent trip by nine Rotarians in March allowed them to see the fruits of their labors. The team inspected a new filter well that was being constructed near the Indian boarding school at Santa Elena. The project was being accomplished with the financial help of the RMMP, the Chihuahua Amigo Rotary Club, and The Rotary Foundation. Plans and supervision are provided by the State of Chihuahua Water Department. The new water supply, when finished, will provide nearly 12,500 gallons per hour of clean, safe drinking water for the 150 children and 25 adults who reside there.
Prior to the construction of the well, water was only available from a nearby stream that was used daily by livestock. A year earlier, the RMMP had completed the drilling of eight wells in a mountain valley near the Indian village of San Ignacio. These community wells provide clean, safe water to some 85 Indian families. Again the prior source of water for these people was an intermittent stream frequented by livestock
The range of mountains in the Sierras has been plagued with a persistent drought for nearly 13 years, and these new sources of water vastly improved the lives of those living nearby and using the fresh water. The continuous drought has wreaked havoc on the natives who are primarily subsistence farmers.
A local Jesuit mission in the town of Creel offers a free hospital to the Indians.
Malnutrition and diseases caused from drinking contaminated water are the two most common ailments to be found there. Local Rotarians have responded with shipments of medical equipment, supplies, clothing and food relief over the recent years. Prior to this recent trip, a request was received by the RMMP for infant diagnostic kits for the hospital. Locally, Joint Township District Memorial hospital donated the much need supplies to the RMMP, and they were taken with the group into Mexico.
While on the trip, the RMMP signed the paperwork for another matching grant to construct a dam and water supply above the village of San Jose de Pinar (St Joseph of the Pine Forest).
San Jose is in such a remote part of the Sierras that the 61 kilometer trip from Creel takes nearly 6 hours to travel. The villagers there will soon have a dependable source of clean water.
The RMMP will visit the project on their next trip in 2008 following its completion.
Technology is almost entirely absent from the lives of the people who live in these mountains.
As a good will gesture to the village and the Tribal Chief in San Jose, the team purchased and took along a hand powered forge blower. They had been informed that the Indian blacksmith of the village was in desperate need of one, as the foot bellows that had been using for some 40 years was deemed useless.
Last year, the RMMP also provided funds along with a matching grant from The Rotary Foundation for furnishing kitchen equipment, supplies and bedroom furniture for the Madre Teresa de Calcutta Home for the Aged in San Jose de Bacum in the State of Sonora , Mexico. The project was started and is operated by the Ciudad Obregon Sur Rotary Club. The facility houses around 30 homeless seniors, most of whom are Yakee Indians. This project was visited in January of this year by a member of the RMMP Clubs.
Not all is work when these Rotarians travel to Mexico, as each trip includes a stop at El Divisidaro, (the Divide) located along the rim of Mexico's famed Copper Canyon. The Copper Canyon is a favorite visitor stop when traveling in the State of Chihuahua. A mountain railroad passes through there on its way from Chihuahua City to Los Mochos on the Sea of Cortez. Though most peaks in the Sierras reach only 9,500 feet, the country itself is comprised of both desert and fertile farmlands in the lower elevations and pine forests in the upper altitudes.
The RMMP project has been a very successful endeavor for the three Rotary Clubs and one that demonstrates what International Service really is all about in Rotary.
Frank C. Murray is the RMMP Club Coordinator.
