4 snapshot stories of Tepehua people

So, I've been in and around the barrio of Tepehua these past few days, meeting people and projects and trying to get a feel for the work that is going on there. In a mo I'll share a few snapshots that give an insight into life there, but first a bit of background to help set the scene.

The Tepehua barrio (shanty-area) is in the town of Chapala which is in the Guadalajara region of Mexico. Chapala is about 30 mins drive from Guad, and is on the shores of Lake Chapala. To most people it's a lovely typical Mexican town, with lots of outdoor markets, beautiful bits of architecture, cobbled streets, very pleasant weather, delicious food, and friendly people. Some areas of it are home to ex-pats, especially from America, and are holiday home places for the well-off Guad's, as the Lakeside is a very attractive place to live. Other parts of it are standard level of housing for the two local tribes of Indians, and then there are the Tepehuan tribes people.

The Tepehuan tribe is not a local tribe, although I haven't managed to find out the story of how they have come to be in Chapala. But, because they are not local, they are not accepted, and getting work is very very hard. When they do get work it is very much the low-level, poorly paid work, and usually very temporary. Hence poverty is a massive problem within the Tepehua barrio, along with all the associated issues - illiteracy, health, drugs, domestic violence, homelessness...... and it is within that the various projects are trying to make a difference

So, that's the background, now to my 4 little snapshots of life:

Firstly the birthday boy of today:

This is Juan Pablo, and today was his ninth birthday. He was so proud to be able to tell me this when we got to the Tepehua Community Centre this morning, and his grin was from ear to ear. The reason he was at the Centre was to receive the free lunch that is given out on a Friday to any who come - an indication in itself of how little Juan has in life. But today was his birthday, and he followed me everywhere, grinning and laughing with happiness. He even gave me a candy, as this is the local custom - on your birthday you give to others. Juan, who has so little that he has to go for free meals whenever he can, gave away one of the candies that a helper had given him, so that he can know that he is doing the right thing of blessing others on his birthday. I certainly felt blessed, and humbled, to be in his presence today.

Next snapshot:

This is Marta, pictured with two of her three daughters. I didn't catch the names of the two girls, but they are ages 6 and 7. The oldest girl is age 8 and she was at school today. Marta would like to send all 3 girls to school, but she doesn't have the money for three uniforms, so she has had to make the choice to only send one of her girls to school. Marta is a single mum with no support from the dads of the girls

I first met Marta on Wednesday at the sewing class that is run from the Community Centre, where she is learning to sew, and make products that can be sold. Marta is one of 15 ladies in the class and each has the use of, and responsibility for, one of the 15 sewing machines. When I visited, they were starting to make book covers, and I ordered one from Marta. Today she came to the Centre with the completed item, beautifully made and I was delighted to be able to pay her the agreed price. 

Through the income Marta has been making as a result of the sewing class, she has been able to start making some savings - hence one of the girls now going to school.

However, life is still very tight and she still turns up on Fridays for the free meal for herself and the other two girls - maybe one day she will get to the point where she can put all three girls through school, and have enough money left over to buy the food needed for her own meal.

Snapshot 3:

Isaiah is the 'caretaker' of the Tepehua Community Centre. He is a dad of several kids, and his story is one of complete transformation.

When he first got known by the TCC folks, Isaiah was a wife-beater, an alcoholic, on methadone, and had a non-existent relationship with his kids who had learnt that the best thing was to stay well out of the way of their dad. He had zero self-esteem and self-respect, and took it all out on those around him.

Thankfully though, he did have enough in him to realise that his life wasn't right, and the choices he had been making were all wrong. He sought help at the Centre, and was given it in the form of access to AA and a mentor to help him through. Isaiah started to turn his life around - the domestic violence, abated, his wife and kids started to trust him, and the drink and drugs stopped. Isaiah has had a few relapses, but he is now doing really well, and has been given the role of 'caretaker' at the centre. He is always there, doing bits of cleaning, odd-jobs, running errands, looking after the cars of some of the volunteers who come. And on special event days Isaiah is tasked with being 'head of security' and finding a team of local guys who will keep an eye on the cars of all the guests.

Seeing Isaiah today, and hearing his story, and watching him interact with the kids in a friendly playful manner was wonderful - may he continue on the road with no more glitches, and may many more be supported to have similar stories to his.

And finally...

I don't know her name, or anything about her, but this little girl was sat on the step opposite the Community Centre when we were leaving, and she was just so adorable I had to mention her! It was with great delight that she showed us her new clothes that she had just been given: a red sweater (on her head!) a white blouse, and a little skirt. She had got them from the 'bazar' at the Community Centre which is kind of like a 2nd hand clothes store that the local people can access. The significant thing for me about this little girl was that she said the clothes were 'just for her'. An interesting phrase and it made me wonder if all her previous clothes have been hand-me-downs from older siblings, and that this is the first time in her little life that she's ever had anything 'just for her'. Another insight into life lived in poverty.

Tomorrow I'm off to visit an orphanage further round the Lake, and so will return with more stories and insights to share.

Until then 'adios amigos'.