Improving Nutrition, With Emergency Supplies and Long-Term Land Improvement

Drought has afflicted the Sierra Tarahumara for the past several years, most notably in the past two years. The Tarahumara people rely almost exclusively on their crops for food. The lack of timely rain and snow has destroyed the corn, beans, squash, and potato crops and caused great hunger. In our hospital, malnutrition is the main reason both kids and adults seek treatment.

Thanks to our supporters who provide the resources, we have been able to provide a large amount of food to Tarahumara communities. As of June 2006, we had provided over 100 tons of corn, 45 tons of beans, 40 tons of cornmeal to make tortillas, and 40 tons of potatoes - just this year.

The poor corn crop last year (the cobs are small and shriveled)

In exchange, the Tarahumara people are doing work to benefit their communities. This year, this work has been focused on improving fields and building retaining walls to slow erosion. We hope that this will help the Tarahumara with future crops, thereby reducing the need to seek food aid from groups like us.

A retaining wall being built in Tosanachi. The erosion behind the wall is quite typical.

We are proud to demonstrate some of the results of this work here. For those whose contributions help make this program possible, we want you to see a few of the long-term improvements that accompany the food aid.

Two of many retaining walls in Recomachi. During the rainy season, the water will be much higher.

Men collecting rocks and part of a retaining wall in Wecorachi.

In one community, Rikinapuchi, water access was so bad (a steep trail over one kilometer) that we supported work to widen the trail to allow wheelbarrows and mules to be used to carry water.

Road to water before work.                                         Wider trail after work.

At Rikinapuchi's water source with a mule.

This kind of work has been repeated in many other communities. Anyone interested in seeing more pictures or collecting more stories, please contact cacstac.tarahumara at gmail.com.

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