The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated a drinking water system to the community of Villa de Santa Ana Nichi in Mexico on February 18 The donation addresses the critical need for access to clean and safe water which has affected the health and well-being of residents for years This project involved building a water system that includes a large concrete tank Proposed and implemented by the local organization Juntos Podemos Más the infrastructure will provide drinking water to five neighborhoods 88 solar panels will be installed to ensure a reliable water supply and reduce operational costs The community of Villa de Santa Ana Nichi has suffered health problems for a long time because of contaminated river and rainwater many residents — especially children and the elderly — have suffered from gastrointestinal and parasitic diseases the region also had high rates of typhoid fever the Church of Jesus Christ aims to improve the quality of life for residents and promote their well-being “We are grateful for the opportunity to [collaborate] with Juntos Podemos Más and the community of Villa de Santa Ana Nichi to address this need,” said Elder Carlos A “We believe in the importance of helping our fellow beings meet their basic needs and build a better future.”  The delegate of Villa de Santa Ana Nichi and president of the association Juntos Podemos Más “A million thanks to the Church of Jesus Christ for trusting and believing in the people who live in this beautiful land [and] for bringing water where it is needed most Let us do good for others as it has been done for us.”  The project also includes a long-term sustainability plan The community commits to covering the maintenance costs of the solar panels and the water system ensuring that the infrastructure continues to operate efficiently and sustainably for many years You are about to access Constant Contacts (http://visitor.constantcontact.com) You are now leaving a website maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints We provide the link to this third party's website solely as a convenience to you and security practices that differ from those on our website By referring or linking you to this website we do not endorse or guarantee this content If you would like to stay on the page you are viewing please click Cancel To download media files, please first review and agree to the Terms of Use Download a photo or video by clicking or tapping on it To download all photos or videos related to this article select the links at the bottom of each section A donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Un Kilo de Ayuda will help improve child malnutrition in three Mexican states Un Kilo de Ayuda — which means “a kilo of help” is a nonprofit organization that focuses on combating child nutrition and promoting the physical cognitive and emotional development of children under 5 so they can reach their full potential the organization is delivering protein-fortified food packages to children in several states in Mexico — Chiapas Oaxaca and the state of Mexico — where an estimated 33.7% of children suffer from malnutrition and anemia Educational materials will also be provided for parents or primary caregivers on early brain stimulation Early childhood development centers are also receiving equipment to measure blood and check for anemia This initiative will benefit more than 43,000 people, explained the Church’s Mexico Newsroom including 23,000 children under 5 years of age and 20,000 mothers or primary caregivers The Church has also donated nutritional packages educational materials and medical supplies to Un Kilo de Ayuda in the past Healthy nutrition is essential to proper brain body and immune system development for infants and young children If a child does not receive proper nutrition during this time the child’s brain and body will not develop as they should The effort to improve the nutrition and well-being of these children is inline with the Church’s global initiative for women and children Using local stakes and networks of the Church and in collaboration with other organizations, the global initiative seeks to improve the health and well being of children under 5 and their mothers through maternal and newborn care The Church has developed several guides that offer ideas and information for parents and leaders about malnutrition and healthy practices. Those can be found at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/serve/caring/child-nutrition This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page “I've learned that journalism is one of the ways you can amplify the voices of people who have largely been left out," says Ruiz Sánchez “I remember when I first went to Mexico when I was 11,” says Eder Ruiz Sánchez ’25 and it was unlike anything I had seen before I’ve always been interested in maíz and how it was engineered by Indigenous peoples thousands of years ago.” Ruiz Sánchez is currently a Pulitzer Reporting Fellow working on a story about small-scale corn farmers in Mexico He first developed an interest in journalism while taking Peace & Conflict in Latin America with Visiting Assistant Professor Michael Wilson Becerril “The class was centered on this culminating project which was writing a journalism article that would be accessible,” says Ruiz Sánchez “but also condense all the information that we've learned on this specific topic.” Ruiz Sánchez chose the indigenous Mapuche people of Chile and their struggle for sovereignty to write his final paper on “[Hernandez] really pushed this idea of writing and proposing something that you really care for He wrote about undocumented veterans who had gotten deported after serving in the military,” says Ruiz Sánchez “That was something that he really cared for because he saw it in his community in the Rio Grande Valley.” “My family back home in Mexico are campesinos one of the most common things we hear is like It's not raining or anything.’ That's where my interest in the project came from but it wasn't until I talked to [Hernandez] that I realized ‘This is actually a very important issue.’" Ruiz Sánchez proposed writing a story about corn farmers in San Felipe del Progreso “I was really interested in investigating small-scale farmers who are descendants from Indigenous peoples or are actively practicing their Indigenous culture,” he says Almost 25% of San Felipe del Progreso’s residents speak an Indigenous language Small farmers there largely grow corn for themselves and their kin they have been struggling with prolonged drought periods and early frosts but because their crops are not grown to be sold their stories have been largely overlooked taking Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Adrienne Benally’s class Indigenous Food Sovereignty in the United States drove home the idea that people’s ability to grow their own food is important whether it’s for profit or not. His story focuses on how farmers there are adapting to and preparing for these and other climate change-related challenges and has supported him throughout the research and writing processes Pulitzer also paired him with journalist Wil Sands as a mentor in addition to the one provided by the Lang Center which Ruiz Sánchez used to travel to San Felipe del Progreso and interview farmers Ruiz Sánchez is in the process of pitching news outlets with a focus on Mexican and other Spanish-language publications His fellowship will be complete when his story is published but the resources of the Pulitzer Center will continue to be available to him “The fellowship is centered around underreported stories,” says Ruiz Sánchez “I've learned that journalism is one of the ways you can amplify the voices of people who have largely been left out.” The Communications Office invites all members of the Swarthmore community to share videos, photos, and story ideas for the College's website. Have you seen an alum in the news? Please let us know by writing news@swarthmore.edu The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the nonprofit Un Kilo de Ayuda are working together on a project to combat child malnutrition in rural Mexican communities Un Kilo de Ayuda will deliver nutritional packages focused at providing children under the age of five because of a donation from the Church of Jesus Christ including 23,000 children and 20,000 mothers or caregivers The packages are geared toward optimal nutrition and neurodevelopment Primary caregivers will receive education materials that have information on nutrition for young children The donation to Un Kilo de Ayuda also includes equipment that can be used to detect anemia “According to National Institute of Statistics and Geography data Oaxaca and Mexico suffer from malnutrition and anemia.” This is another instance of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ’s initiative to combat child malnutrition and improve access to nutrition and educational materials for both women and children around the world “Every time we do something to bring relief to others — whether it’s temporary or spiritual — we are bringing them closer to Jesus Christ and we will be blessed as we find our relief in Him,” said Relief Society General President Camille N “We are grateful for the daily opportunities God gives us to love our neighbors.” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Un Kilo de Ayuda are working together to combat child malnutrition in the Mexican states of Chiapas Through a donation from the Church of Jesus Christ the nonprofit Un Kilo de Ayuda will deliver nutritional packages focused on optimal nutrition and neurodevelopment for children under the age of five in marginalized rural communities This project will benefit more than 43,000 people including 23,000 children and 20,000 mothers or primary caregivers iron intake and play activities will also be distributed to primary caregivers Un Kilo de Ayuda's Early Childhood Development Centers will receive equipment to measure capillary hemoglobin to detect anemia According to National Institute of Statistics and Geography data Oaxaca and Mexico suffer from malnutrition and anemia Recently, the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced an initiative to improve access to nutrition for women and children around the world “Every time we do something to bring relief to others — whether it’s temporal or spiritual — we are bringing them closer to Jesus Christ The effects of malnutrition are especially profound for young children as their bodies are rapidly growing during their first five years Malnutrition during this critical period can have long-lasting and irreversible consequences a weakened immune system and an increased risk of illnesses later in life José Wilibaldo García has a very understanding wife This craftsman not only gave up a career in dentistry to work with silver but his jewelry has also brought him lots of attention from (female) jewelry lovers San Felipe del Progreso is about two hours northwest of Mexico City in México state It is not easy to make a living here despite its proximity to the capital and the state’s industry Deforestation and decimation of farmland have put great pressure on traditional lifestyles thanks to a few dedicated craftsmen like García is the making of silver half-moon earrings These have a long history among Mazahua women Made either with silver laminate or filigree the earrings traditionally indicated a woman’s marital status in San Felipe del Progreso Earrings with one dove meant the woman was single and with two the earrings were made from silver coins as this was the way that indigenous people could get their hands on the precious metal this need to advertise marital status died out and the making of earrings nearly died out as well Here is where García’s family comes in was an oil painter who met a silversmith from Michoacán The two decided to teach each other their specialties The knowledge of working silver was then passed onto Domingo’s sons but also a group of 30 young people in the small village of Palmillo His efforts got the attention of state cultural authorities who granted him land and other resources to start a school and cooperative It ran successfully for a time and has since disbanded Don Gregorio was featured in Banamex’s Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art a very authoritative book on traditional artisans Although the maestro has made magnificent pieces his bread and butter has always been jewelry José Wilibaldo carries on the tradition today although that was not his original intention He studied dentistry at school and had his own practice for many years but perhaps he just couldn’t resist the genetic call to be more creative He admits that while silversmithing does not pay what dentistry does He continues making the traditional half-moon earrings He looks to create new products yet always keeps a connection to Mazahua tradition His most successful design effort has been the creation of earrings and pendants based on the indigenous quexquémitl a triangular poncho-like garment common in central Mexico The shape of the garment and its traditional decoration lend themselves quite well to the laminate technique a style that blends innovation and tradition José Wilibaldo is also more open than many to the use of technology for sales and promotion and the rainy season (which we are entering) plays havoc with telephone and internet communications here he takes professional photos of his work and even videos to share on social media The García family has been fortunate to have been discovered not only by México state authorities but also by those outside of their region, such as the Feria Maestros del Arte. They invited Wilgart (the name of the family’s business) to their last handcraft fair in Chapala and the earrings and necklaces were quite a hit; I could not count all the pieces of silver moons and quexquémitls I saw on women walking around on the fairgrounds Many women also insist on having their picture taken with the maestro leading to nonstop ribbing of José Wilibaldo from me about his popularity with the ladies Silversmiths such as the Garcías are important not only because they help to preserve and promote Mazahua culture but also because they break the idea that fine silverwork is only to be had in Taxco which is famed for its silver jewelry production It is almost cliché to say that the pandemic has hurt artisans but it has been particularly true for Wilgart It’s particularly hard because silver jewelry is a luxury item and many people in Mexico are having trouble meeting basic expenses Face-to-face venues have dried up, and even Wilibaldo’s internet presence has not resulted in the kinds of sales necessary to survive. He has two Facebook accounts, one dedicated to the business and the other his personal page You can look at both to get a good sense of his product lines and history but it is better to contact him through his personal page He may not be sure when things will get back to normal yet José Wilibaldo continues to work on pieces and experiment he joined an online class with Oaxacan designer Maritza Villegas that focused on balancing innovation with the conservation of tradition but one thing is certain: when buyers are ready to return Leigh Thelmadatter arrived in Mexico 18 years ago and fell in love with the land and the culture in particular its handcrafts and art. She is the author of Mexican Cartonería: Paper, Paste and Fiesta (Schiffer 2019) Her culture column appears regularly on Mexico News Daily ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC Macalester’s Live It Fund gives internationally-minded Mac students what they need to develop innovative solutions to global problems providing funding and structured support for individual initiatives Students receive up to $2,000 for projects over J-Term and/or a $6,348 stipend and $500 in project funding for the longer summer break term We asked some of this year’s participants about their experiences working on their Live It Fund projects Shades of Injustice seeks to create a toolkit that targets both patients and physicians highlighting the ways skin color can affect various skin conditions and impact the quality of care an eye-catching educational cube designed to passively spread awareness to patients and a website designed to highlight patient experiences and connect them to dermatology resources An integral part of Shades of Injustice’s mission is to increase patient literacy and facilitate meaningful conversation between patient and physician What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered so far and what was the biggest learning experience We have ordered multiple prototypes and they still have not been exactly what we’re looking for We learned to be okay with things taking longer than we had anticipated What are you most excited to bring back to the Mac community We are so excited to showcase a physical prototype of our toolkit with the Mac community especially those who have supported and followed our progress since last summer The Climate Resilience Hub is a scalable and redistributable capacity-building curriculum aimed to help at-risk-youth in climatically vulnerable states with a focus on southern East Africa to accelerate the spread of climate-based knowledge resources to low-income youth The biggest challenge was finding people willing to have open honest and difficult conversations on such pertinent controversial topics like displacement The biggest learning experience was having to learn everything with the BUILD model hearing firsthand climate experiences and expanding ideas as how to best help people w/a possible prototype How have they supported you in realizing your vision The UNICEF Emergency Disaster Team has been super helpful in giving me the most detailed and accurate information about disaster management As well as connecting me to youth in their network I am most excited to bring a renewed sense of community This project helped me re-understand how I seek to be in a community of empathy that focuses on useful action to fight climate change I want to foster discussions about our role in globalisation and our responsibility to contribute/engage critically to the most pertinent challenges I want us to be thinking about how we connect to the broader world The Mpongwe Borehole Project aims to provide sustainable access to clean water for the rural community of Mpongwe Utilizing solar-powered pumps and guided by local leadership the initiative will address persistent water challenges while fostering community engagement and long-term impact This project reflects a commitment to improving public health A major challenge I faced during the Mpongwe Borehole initiative was the excessive rainfall which made the terrain too soft and unstable the drilling company refused to transport their equipment to the site fearing that it would sink into the ground causing significant delays and requiring me to find alternative solutions to keep the project on track I’ve learned that not everything in a project goes as planned This experience has taught me the importance of patience as unforeseen circumstances can arise at any stage requiring flexibility and perseverance to navigate effectively I’m excited to bring back the lessons I’ve learned from the Mpongwe Borehole project—especially around community impact and sustainability—to inspire and contribute to meaningful initiatives at Macalester The economic development program ‘Hablando por México’ is a beacon of hope aiming to promote and empower the Mazahua community from Rosa del Calvario at the Municipality of San Felipe del Progreso Through professional and social preparation workshops in Spanish and Mazahua about capital management The program equips the Mazahua community with tools to break free from historical barriers of marginalization on educational gaps and access to funding information that perpetuated economic and political inequality between indigenous communities and non-indigenous communities The biggest challenge was understanding the demands and situations that make people feel self-conscious as well as meeting their expectations of a project that I learned how important communication is for establishing suitable and pertinent logistics between the work team reconfigures business systems and economic models—and therefore the quality and standards of life of marginalized communities we created a zine centered around national parks and outdoor recreation in the US We discussed resources and tips for Mac students and explored the history of the parks we visited Our goal was to provide practical and historical information through storytelling and a creative format to enable and empower students surrounding outdoor recreation The biggest challenge was that everything when you’re camping takes wayyy longer than you think With the sun going down so early it’s been an adjustment We learned a lot about how to camp in the winter and all the little practicalities of camping that we forget about We have learned SO much throughout this process and are excited to articulate and share everything with other Mac students so that they can have similar experiences ProPath is a mentorship program that connects underserved high school and college students in China with experienced mentors and valuable resources helping to bridge the gap between their education and meaningful career opportunities – That students’ needs often differ from expectations and they may lack clarity about what they truly want They might also show limited initiative in sharing their thoughts or seeking help when needed The biggest lesson I learned was that engaging with a broader social environment through the project can provide valuable insights into understanding individuals more effectively Connecting students with Mac students to offer advice and mentorship from a unique perspective School for Change is a community-driven initiative aimed at renovating the Gra Dali Public Primary School in the Doka village to become a state-certified exam center and a hub for agroecology improving both education access and food security for the village and nearby localities The language barrier and understanding the complex dynamics of chiefdom and decision making in Doka and trying to set goals to untangle them What has been your biggest learning experience thus far preparing my questions in advance and learning how to conduct interviews smoothly to get information I need Community can be the problem and the solution Starlight Messages: 星光信语 creates a bridge between children with autism at Qing Cong Quan in Shanghai and Chinese-learning students from Macalester’s Asian Studies Department this project highlights the beauty of unique perspectives and builds meaningful cross-cultural connections A challenge in this project was the fact that a single change in the plan can cascade into others requiring you to adjust and reschedule the entire sequence since it’s a step-by-step procedure The biggest learning experience was gaining insights into effective communication with children with autism and understanding their daily routines at the Intelligence Training Center I’m excited to bring back the exchange project connecting Chinese-learning students with children with autism Visit the Live It Fund page to see all the projects From champagne showers to draft day drills a Macalester grad's relentless data-driven vision fuels the Celtics' championship dynasty there's a front office mastermind already plotting the next victory From suburban sitcoms to civil rights showdowns to reality TV's brand-building this course reveals how television isn't just a screen but a cultural mirror reflecting—and shaping—who we are reveals how a nation can be neither spy nor target yet still intimately shaped by the unseen eyes of global surveillance A sociology course deepens classroom knowledge through voter outreach and community engagement Macalester is one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S Macalester's Live It Fund projects span a variety of issues Vecinos señalan omisión de autoridades ante la proliferación de fauna feral en calles y avenidas lo que ha derivado en incidentes que afectan a peatones Cajeros automáticos rechazan pagos en efectivo desde el 30 de abril Consejo Universitario aprobó incorporar en el Proceso de Elección a Rectora para el Periodo Ordinario 2021-2025 a los Centros Universitarios y las Unidades Académicas Profesionales con sede en el valle de México y oriente del Edomex Lo hacen desde el 2001 cuando el gobierno foxista expropió sus tierras para la construcción del Nuevo Aeropuerto Internacional de México El Edomex suma 637 incendios forestales entre enero y mayo mientras que Jalisco registra más de 43 mil hectáreas dañadas; ambos encabezan las estadísticas nacionales según datos de la Comisión Nacional Forestal esperan que esta sea la solución al problema de las inundaciones en este municipio mexiquense La Batalla del 5 de Mayo sigue latiendo en Calimaya reivindican el muralismo como una herramienta de resistencia frente a la censura y la desigualdad en el ámbito universitario la Gobernadora Delfina Gómez y autoridades de los tres poderes fueron testigos del acto encabezado desde CDMX por la presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum Mandamos a tu correo el mejor resumen informativo a fellow photographer invited Connie McComb-Brown to visit a mission for the indigenous Mazahua people in Mexico to take photographs who owns her own photography studio in Raisin Township accepted and has since made three more trips to the mission in San Felipe del Progreso a town in the mountains about 60 miles northwest of Mexico City Besides recording the Mazahua people with her photographs helped the Mazahua with management of their pottery businesses and taught art classes at the mission prints and sculpture celebrating the Mazahua people Feb 14-19 at the Klemm Gallery at Siena Heights University titled “The Forgotten Ones ...” fulfills a requirement for McComb-Brown’s bachelor of fine arts degree at Siena but she hopes it also will raise consciousness about the Mazahua and perhaps generate more volunteers for the mission “It has become very dear to my heart,” McComb-Brown said The Mazahua Mission was founded in 1978 by husband and wife Norberto Cortes Rios and Lisa Cortes Fritz The mission’s goal is to work beside the Mazahua people to meet their physical needs and promote self-sufficiency and independence the mission is in the area of Mexico to which monarch butterflies migrate The Christian mission is both religious and practical but yet we’re working with them in the community helping them (start enterprises) of their own instead of getting money from people,” McComb-Brown said “We’re trying to help them build a community with businesses so they can help their families.” McComb-Brown takes art materials such as beads The classes are attended mostly by disabled people among the Mazahua “I think art therapy is very healing,” McComb-Brown said and works with a program that supplies wheelchairs to those who need them When she gets back to the United States from a trip to the mission she puts her photographs on a CD and sends them to more than 200 churches to generate interest in the mission McComb-Brown usually stays at the mission about two weeks Groups from various denominations send teams She and her father now gather their own team when they go McComb-Brown said she started taking pictures in sixth grade when her grandfather gave her a camera The first woman to be president of Professional Photographers of Michigan and now teaches a class at Jackson Community College She worries that the Mazahua are losing their heritage and cultural identity I am actually recording the lives of the Mazahua people,” McComb-Brown said .css-105lg8x{display:grid;grid-auto-flow:row;grid-column-gap:var(--mb-responsive-grid-gutter);grid-row-gap:3rem;grid-auto-columns:1fr;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:89.5rem;overflow:hidden;position:relative;}@media (min-width: 22.5rem){.css-105lg8x{grid-template:auto/repeat(6 1fr));}}@media (min-width: 52.125rem){.css-105lg8x{grid-template:auto/repeat(9 1fr));}}@media (min-width: 89rem){.css-105lg8x{grid-template:auto/repeat(12 var(--mb-colour-greyscale-london-5));font-family:var(--mb-typeface-sans);font-size:var(--mb-typestyle-body-3-size);font-style:normal;font-weight:var(--mb-font-weight-light);line-height:var(--mb-typestyle-body-3-leading);font-variant:var(--mb-typestyle-body-3-figures);text-wrap:balance;}These wacky houses built with remittance money may not be architectural triumphs 1fr));}}@media (min-width: 52.125rem){.css-1uuz26i{grid-template:auto/repeat(9 1fr));}}@media (min-width: 89rem){.css-1uuz26i{grid-template:auto/repeat(12 the only notable architectural landmarks as people travelled through the villages of Mexico were the gleaming churches lording it over the squat houses that surrounded them the houses in the churches’ shadows are mostly made of cinder-block and have a defeatist look: steel rebar used in construction sprouts out of the roof (often with empty Coke bottles inverted on top to prevent rusting) a sign that one day the owners dream of having enough money to add on another storey Ousting Assad may turn out to have been easier than rebuilding the country A lawyer struggles with their conscience. New colleagues are watching  In the Central African Republic locals are learning Russian while mercenaries knock back lager The Inuit on Little Diomede are watched over by Russian soldiers. But that’s not their biggest problem in these icy badlands Registered in England and Wales. No. 236383 | Registered office: The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6HT | VAT Reg No: GB 340 436 876 Print Grace Sesma works methodically to set up her home office lighting candles and cutting thorns from seven stemmed red roses for the day’s first session as her client chatters nearby is talking fast — about the nice view of the area from Sesma’s backyard and how he got the supplies at the last minute that Sesma told him they would need: roses he has used binge drinking as a coping mechanism He’s been seeing a therapist and was recently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder Therapy has helped him identify his behavior and triggering environments but he still hasn’t come to terms with the sexual abuse he suffered he said; he wants to be at peace with himself That’s why he has traveled to Alpine, a small mountain community northeast of San Diego, to see Sesma. A therapist can teach him coping skills but Sesma is here to help him repair his spirit Sesma spent several years as an administrator of a partial-hospitalization psychiatric program and founded a cultural consulting firm but she felt called by her ancestors to follow a spiritual healing path and serve her community “The philosophy behind curanderismo is that diseases are not just caused by physical factors environmental and spiritual ones,” Sesma said Sesma helps clients with PTSD depression and other issues from her home in Alpine Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) Sesma is part of a world of traditional healers who are generally not considered by Western medicine to be a part of the mental health system Chicanos and Indigenous peoples from Latin America these spiritual healers offer a type of support they may trust more than therapists Both healers and researchers say Latinos and other Southern Californians, who aren’t necessarily connected to the culture, often turn to curanderismo when they’ve felt Western medicine didn’t meet their needs. It is difficult to definitively measure the medical benefits of spiritual healing, but these same experts point out that an integrative approach with doctors and healers working together in clinics arguably produces benefits beyond those easily documented in an X-ray or CT scan. “In other countries such as China and India, traditional medicine has been merged with modern medicine and people have options of selecting one or both types of medicine,” said Eliseo Torres, a faculty member of the College of Education at the University of New Mexico. Recently, “a group of staff and a physician visited [a university health clinic in Mexico] where traditional medicine has been merged with modern medicine. We returned to the U.S with the idea of doing the same.” California Elder Jerry Tello talks about how traditional healing can fill the gaps of a clinical setting Curanderismo is the holistic approach to healing the mind A person who can heal others by looking at the whole of the person (mind There are other types of healers under the curanderismo umbrella and each has their own approach based on their teachings Sesma’s teachings are rooted in Mexican and Indigenous culture Sesma is working with the Academy for Integrative Health and Medicine a global community of medical professionals working toward a holistic and integrative health approach to care where she’s sharing her knowledge of traditional healing Their collaboration will result in training for the organization’s students and members on Indigenous healing practices a program at a university in Mexico has trained healers to work in clinics and hospitals “witch doctors” or other slurs by their medical counterparts “Nos vamos a revolucionar el mundo de la atención médical de Mexico,” said Rafael Colin, director of the five-year bachelor’s degree program at Universidad Intercultural del Estado de México “We’re going to revolutionize the world of healthcare in Mexico.” Sesma “has helped me look at my life with more clarity and from a perspective of abundance,” Camacho said Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) A blending of healing practicesIn a series of dreams that started when she was a teenager Sesma said she was visited by the spirits of her Indigenous grandmothers who urged her to “return to the ways of the ancestors” and practice spiritual healing It’s not uncommon for curanderos to say they have been called to this work through dreams or visions An elder can also recognize whether a person has this healing gift and help cultivate it through an apprenticeship she worked and raised a family as a single mother It wasn’t until her 40s that she was ready to begin her apprenticeship with a curandero in Tecate Curanderismo comes from the Spanish word curar Researchers have found that curanderismo dates back to Aztecan Mayan and Incan tribes and their religious beliefs of harmony with nature the healing practice evolved to include European practices of healing The healers then incorporated the Spanish healing methodologies in their practice He brings in guest speakers who are healing practitioners from the Southwest and Mexico The course explores how traditional healing methods have shaped how we treat people in the past His students range from people who have some spiritual healing knowledge people who want to reclaim their culture through these teachings and others who want to learn how to care for themselves “We try to train people to take care of their own body and [in some cases] to learn what their grandfathers and grandmothers did years ago,” said Torres whose parents taught him about Mexican folk healing students at the Universidad Intercultural del Estado de México in San Felipe del Progreso are also learning an integrative approach to medicine that they can actively use in the medical field “Research shows that there are a lot of degenerative diseases that have an emotional aspect, so these professionals will be able to make a clinical diagnosis based on [conventional allopathic] medicine and then it’s up to [the doctor] to choose what kind of treatment they are going to use,” said Rafael Colin, director of the program. Spiritual healers such as Sesma offer a type of support that some clients trust more than therapists. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) The Mexican traditional healing portion of the program includes classes with parteras (midwives), yerberas (herbalists), sobadoras (traditional bodyworker) and temazcaleras (who work in sweat lodges). Treycy Velazquez, a licensed practitioner of cross-cultural health and a graduate of the first Licenciatura en Salud Intercultural cohort, now heads the traditional medicine portion of the program. She said they welcome adult students of all ages with the understanding that they aren’t “blank pages.” Many of the students are healers in their communities, are related to a healer, or have some understanding of the practice. Velazquez is a descendant of traditional healers. She remembers her grandmother and mother using herbs and plants to heal people and enrolled in the program about eight years ago. Part of the class curriculum is to connect with a community and learn from their healer, which isn’t easy. She said it’s common for the healer to be reluctant to share their skills and work because they’re unsure of the students’ intentions. “It’s [hard] work because we don’t want to just extract their knowledge,” Velazquez said. “This [exercise] is about acknowledging these individuals and protecting their knowledge.” Students also work with patients in the university’s clinic and conduct research. Colin said the goal of the program is to demonstrate the effectiveness of this ancient knowledge — and preserve it by teaching it. It’s also working to “professionalize” this knowledge by understanding the science in it and backing it up with research, Colin said. For example, the program and the National Autonomous University of Mexico will be collaborating on studying “how acupuncture and traditional herbs have synergy [to treat] some diseases” on patients who visit the program’s clinic. Students who complete the program are then able to establish a practice and have a license to practice the four healing methods, including Mexican traditional healing, in a hospital or clinic. Music As Mexican singer-songwriter Carla Morrison releases a new album and embarks on a tour, she’s talking openly and honestly about her mental health. The first cohort of graduates were met with some stigma, labeled as “brujos,” Colin said. However, the graduates interned with Mexico’s secretary of health, as all health professionals are required to do in the state, and quickly proved themselves to their medical counterparts by working side-by-side to treat patients. Recent program graduate Vanessa Carrillo Sarmiento wasn’t met with name-calling, but at the Hospital Mazahua, doctors at first didn’t acknowledge her as a colleague. The hospital is in the small town of Santa Ana Nichi in Mexico; its population of nearly 3,000 is mostly Mazahua Native people. Since graduating in 2019, she’s provided holistic therapies and physical therapy for patients with facial paralysis, joint or muscle pain, insomnia and anxiety. But the first six months were challenging for Sarmiento because she didn’t have any patients. To fix that, she made it a point to introduce herself to the medical doctors on staff and talk to them about how she cares for patients through traditional massage work or taking more time to explain post-treatment care. Some doctors took a chance and sent their patients to her. They soon learned her value, Sarmiento said, after seeing their patients benefit from her care and now they see her as part of the medical treatment team. “I believe that the basis for the acceptance we have had with the hospital doctors was that they realized that we are a complement to the work they do and vice versa, just as we need them to achieve significant improvement in the patient,” she said. Sarmiento has developed trust with her patients, her community, and has many who return to the hospital regularly for her services. This relationship between a healthcare provider and patient is one that she wishes her grandparents could have experienced. She remembers that her grandparents loathed doctor visits because they didn’t feel heard or were scolded. “For me, I would have liked that my grandparents were treated the way that I treat my patients. … The closeness that you have with people is the most beautiful thing that the profession gives you,” Sarmiento said. Lifestyle Stories and advice about Latino mental health Back in Alpine, Sesma sees five clients in-person and two via Zoom over the next two days. One of her clients is Roberto Camacho, a Chicano journalist and activist in San Diego, who is coming for his second session. He’s seeking spiritual counseling to “clear his mind and body of self-doubt and negative thoughts” because he’s making a lot of life-changing decisions — applying for jobs and looking to move out of state. “Reflecting back on my most recent session, I believe [Sesma] has helped me look at my life with more clarity and from a perspective of abundance,” Camacho said. All of Sesma’s clients, including Camacho, talk about how much they value the time that Sesma gives them and her services. Sesma and other healers wish the medical field could value traditional healing methods too. “It is more likely, that I or other curanderas, would refer a client to a doctor or an ophthalmologist or gynecologist, than they are to refer [clients] to me,” she said. Sesma feels that doctors don’t acknowledge traditional healing as a mainstream method of healing because they haven’t taken the time to learn about it or resist learning about it because it conflicts with their religious beliefs. She doesn’t have the skills of a physician, for example, but a physician doesn’t have her skill-set. So why can’t they work together “for the benefit of the patient’s whole well-being?” she asked. “Let’s have some humility to understand that [science-based] allopathic medicine does not necessarily address every issue that the patient may present with,” she said. “There’s a spiritual aspect to all of us as human beings that not everyone is equipped to take care of, to handle or to address.” De Los Reads: Luis Jaramillo’s ‘The Witches of El Paso’ and other books by Latino authors we’re reading in November Nov. 7, 2024 About this article Karen Garcia is a reporter on the Fast Break Desk, the team that has a pulse on breaking news at the Los Angeles Times. She was previously a reporter on the Utility Journalism Team, which focused on service journalism. Her previous stints include reporting for the San Luis Obispo New Times and KCBX Central Coast Public Radio. K.C. Alfred has been a staff photographer at the Union-Tribune since 2001. Prior to the U-T, K.C. was a staff photographer at the Ventura County Star. His photographs have been published in newspapers and magazines worldwide. During his career, he has photographed four Olympic Games, along with countless NFL, MLB, PGA and NCAA sporting events. Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker a guide in the El Rosario Sanctuary was also discovered These deaths are the tragic reality of a form of violent eco-terrorism; perpetrated by those who desire to destroy established ecological sanctuaries and the tourism economy they engender The two recent murders identified above were perpetrated during the height of the tourist season – when the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Reserve in Michoacán attracts thousands of tourists from around the globe to witness this unique natural wonder well established competing economic interests have been opposed to maintaining the established habitat these ecological sanctuaries for the Monarchs represent in Mexico the cartels have been infiltrating the industry of avocado cultivation for years extorting existing growers of established avocado growing operations and encroaching into areas where logging was banned clear-cutting the forests and planting avocado orchards Avocado production is deemed “green gold” by the cartels Mexico’s Monarch butterfly sanctuaries in Michoacán are now under siege by organized crime in Mexico in pursuit of the money generated by both logging and avocado production The cartel’s strategy is simple; murdering those who are dedicated to the maintaining these sanctuaries will cast fear and distinctly impair the established tourist economy providing them with the insidious opportunity to expand their vile economic ambitions The larger Monarch butterfly sanctuary area in Mexico is referred to as the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve It is located in the eastern region of the state of Michoacán Part of it resides within the state of Mexico The vast expanse of this protected area (within the federal state of Mexico) includes the municipalities of Villa de Allende In the state of Michoacán it includes the areas in close proximity to Angangueo This biosphere and the associated Monarch butterfly sanctuaries are one of Mexico’s national treasures the Monarchs comprised 14 colonies in the oyamel fir forests in both the states of Michoacán and México The largest colony is in El Rosario in Michoacán measured recently as 2.46 hectares (or approximately 6 acres) The Monarch biosphere in Michoacán protects 8 of these colonies and an estimated 70% of the total of the Monarch butterfly’s migratory population As part of this process, logging became illegal in this area, This created tremendous conflict between the established economic interests in the area (logging) and ongoing conservation efforts The Monarch butterfly sanctuaries continue to be threatened by the dual threats of pervasive poverty and gang violence in the region Unauthorized logging and the penchant of some to expand avocado cultivation remain persistent threats According to a recent study by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and INTERPOL entitled The Rise of Environmental Crime – A Growing Threat To Natural Resources Peace environmental crime is increasing at a rate of 5-7% annually; 2-3 times more that the growth rate of the global economy environmental crime is estimated to have a value of between US $90-250 billion dollars The world is a better place due to the life’s work of Homero Gómez González and guides like Raúl Hernández Romero One can only hope that the Mexican federal government and the global environmental activism community can carry on effectively in his absence – and establish the essential support monitoring and protection network that the activists and guides who take up their work shall require Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has termed the death of Homero González death “lamentable and painful.” Two word political utterances are insufficient from the elected leader of Mexico Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is not solely a national treasure – it is unequivocally a global one It is Mexico’s responsibility to deploy and maintain the additional essential resources to protect and preserve this fragile treasure for Mexico – and the world – and interdict and dismantle the forces that threaten its survival… and the lives of those dedicated to its ongoing preservation and the De Raíz student group have received the 2022 Eugenio Garza Sada Award for their contributions to the development of Mexico Tec de Monterrey and FEMSA presented the award to the winners for being an example of the values instilled by the institution’s founder when he was alive during a hybrid ceremony held at the Monterrey campus Conference Center José Antonio Fernández, Executive President of FEMSA and Chairman of the Board at Tec de Monterrey acknowledged the legacy of Don Eugenio Garza Sada “(Don Eugenio) is recognized as one of the greatest leaders in modern Mexican history Based on his humanistic vision of defending freedom and an ethic of service he oversaw the construction of institutions that have transformed the lives of millions of Mexican people,” he said The award consists of 3 categories: Humanistic Business Leadership Businessman Luis Salvador Alcalá was the winner of the Humanistic Business Leadership category “Receiving the award compels me to be a better citizen who is more constant and ethical to work on being better and supporting education remembering that having doubts is the best support for the people around us,” said Alcalá He has served as President and Vice-President of the Industrialists Group of Aguascalientes where he dedicated a portion of his efforts toward education by providing training to 1,000 higher education students in Aguascalientes it isn’t just about generating wealth but about ensuring the wellbeing of the community and workers has implemented community support programs in the areas of business he has impacted more than 100,000 people through various institutions focused on different fields which led to his recognition by the Aguascalientes City Council as “Distinguished Son of the City” in 2021 The Eugenio Garza Sada Award in the Social Entrepreneurship category was awarded to the Alternare organization for its work in rural communities and ejidos (communally held land) in Mexico “(I dedicate this award) in particular to the indigenous communities and ejidos who believed in our project and trusted us to exchange knowledge and forge a project,” said Maria Guadalupe del Río Pesado This organization was created to support around 350,000 people living in poverty after the restriction of forest use in the area surrounding the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in 1985 Alternare was founded by two biologists and two farmers who have worked for 22 years on a conservation model for the area where the monarch butterfly hibernates helping rural communities and ejidos in the region they seek to ensure that communities utilize resources in a sustainable manner create projects in order to generate economic resources for their families and are trained in food safety and housing improvement Alternare has worked with more than 124,000 people from 37 communities one third of whom are from indigenous communities in four municipalities of the State of Mexico: Temascalcingo Alternare has also been recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and organizations such as the Organization of American States and the U.S “I would like to end with a reflection: working together will change Mexico Mexicans can make the country we dream of.” was the winner of the Student Social Innovation category which it received for its work with children in vulnerable situations This group focuses on mentoring boys and girls for 10 to 12 weeks seeking to develop skills and provide them with opportunities to improve their quality of life in the present and in the future Their main objective is to achieve integrated development and reduce educational and poverty gaps “We’d like to thank the institution and pledge our commitment of striving to make a change in our school and our country today and in the years to come,” said Monserrat Cruz The mentors are students who receive training and tools to be able to carry out personalized mentoring focused on the personal context of each boy and girl in the program “De Raíz” has worked with various associations such as “Fundación Ayuda Amiga” and the Carlos Fuentes Library focusing their activities on the José María Tapia Freyding Primary School where they have mentored 141 boys and girls Nearly 200 proposals were received in this category at a national level The 29th annual award ceremony began with the performance of “Legacy of an Entrepreneur” by the Tec’s Youth Orchestra This award ceremony was hosted by Consuelo Garza Lagüera Chairwoman of the award’s Steering Committee; José Antonio Fernández Chairman of the Board at the Tec; David Garza Rector and Executive President of the Tec; and Eva Garza de Fernández Vice-Chairwoman of the award’s Steering Committee Also present were members of the award’s Steering Committee which received 458 applications this year in the 3 categories is to recognize business leaders and national or foreign institutions as well as students from Tec de Monterrey and Tecmilenio who lead projects with high social impact for the communities of Mexico Fernández pointed out that the winners have followed Don Eugenio Garza Sada’s example by contributing to the development of the country through actions that raise the standard of living and wellbeing of communities “We have a short-term view of the future which often becomes the main point of reference for our actions “It’s very important to learn from historical experience but this should not be an obstacle for a country and society to plan and build their future.” The Chairman of the Board at Tecnológico de Monterrey recalled an example given to him by a professor at the Tec: “It’s what we do when driving a car: the rear-view mirror is useful as a reference on a few occasions I propose a change in attitude: let’s think big Let’s think about the future and not the past I invite you to reinvent ourselves,” he added David Garza said: “An active commitment to society was fundamental to our founder The Eugenio Garza Sada Award is a recognition of the actions of people or organizations that are working to the benefit of others and carrying on his legacy Congratulations to the winners for their dedication to serving the community.” but this should not be an obstacle for a country and society to plan and build their future.” The Eugenio Garza Sada Award was established in 1993 by FEMSA and Tec de Monterrey to perpetuate the legacy of this entrepreneur and social leader This award recognizes leading national or foreign individuals and institutions that contribute to the wellbeing of the Mexican community through the development and productive capacity of its human or physical resources The award winners received the “Inner Light” sculpture by Yvonne Domenge which amounts to 2 million pesos for the 3 projects recognized The winner of the Humanistic Business Leadership category will donate it to a Mexican non-profit civil association while the winners of the Social Entrepreneurship category will invest it in their project as will the winners of the Student Social Innovation category The latter two will also use a percentage of the prize money for an international experience in a leading entrepreneurial ecosystem the winners’ names were engraved on the Mural of Recognition a memorial made to Don Eugenio Garza Sada located on the Monterrey campus The evaluation panel was made up of Alfonso González +52 (81) 8358-2000 D.R.© INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO Y DE ESTUDIOS SUPERIORES DE MONTERREY *DEC-520912 PROGRAMAS EN MODALIDAD ESCOLARIZADA.