Campaign: Help us help Mexico
FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN “HELP US HELP MEXICO”
CAMPAIGN BY LATIN STORIES AUSTRALIA
On September 8, 2017 thousands of people in Mexico experienced the most powerful earthquake in a century. Few days later a second earthquake hit Mexico again. It is estimated that around 3 million people have been affected. Stories have emerged of those in Oaxaca who lost everything and are now sleeping on the streets. Latin Stories Australia created the fund ‘Help us Help Mexico’ to provide people living in Australia with an opportunity to donate much needed funds towards disaster relief aid.
The funds collected were allocated to local community organisations in Oaxaca as we believe they are best placed to provide this support.
outcomes
In total, we collected $13,328 which were transferred to Mexico. We partnered with local community-based organisation "Una mano para Oaxaca" which is transforming the lives of people affected by the earthquake in Oaxaca, Mexico, to provide relief aid to those in need. The funds were used in the following outcomes:
4 Traditional Brick Ovens / A 6-months well-being program / Contribution towards the Community Centre
Francisca is from Espinal, Juchitan Oaxaca. Her specialty is “quesadillas de arroz”. She rented or borrowed ovens to keep providing for her family until your support allowed the organization to rebuild an oven for her.
Lidio has been a baker for over 20 years. He learnt from his aunt and later he taught other members of his family. His family even bakes cakes! His oven was destroyed in the earthquake and he was unable to bake over 6 months. Thanks to your support he was able to recover his main source of income. (Lidio on the right with Raul who has been helping building the ovens).
Anais Iris Ojeda is 39 years old and she is from Rincón Moreno,Tehuantepec. For many years she supported herself and her 5 kids by selling food which she cooked in her oven. She lost her kitchen during the earthquake. Her specialties are the stuffed pork and chicken in the oven. Now, with our help, she is cooking again and teaching her older daughter with the hope that she also enjoy cooking and they can support each other
Ignacio and Eleuteria have been married for over 30 years and they both work in the oven and teach their children. Eleuteria is famous in the town for her cakes; however, she is also well know for her "capricho and yema" breads. (people in the photo from left: Emiliano and Vitelio (Builders), Ignacio and two volunteers).
Like in many communities in Mexico, women are the key for the families, not only in terms of mental support but also economic support. After the earthquake women started to suffer post-traumatic stress. This resulted in health detriment and increase of weight. We are supporting a six-month well-being program to help these women. The program includes fitness sessions 5 times a week and appointments with a nutritionist.
A community centre has been built as a space for the community to come together to learn new things a support each other. We supported a very durable ceiling which is recommended for the community (due to weather conditions).
