In December of last year I posted a blog about the poor barrio (neighborhood) of Tepehua on a hill above the town of Chapala, nearly 13 kilometers from where I live. Some of you reached out to see how you could contribute to the needs of this community. A close friend suggested that since the need in Tepehua continues I might consider reposting my entry with an update which you will find at the bottom of this post. Thank you for your time & attention!
Tepehua (tay-PAY-oo-wah) is the name of an indigenous population of México, and also the name of a barrio (neighborhood) on the hillside above Chapala. The barrio has a history of drug and alcohol abuse, crime, violence, and disease. Women lack knowledge of nutrition and birth control. Children often lack the proper documents that make education available, limiting their possibilities for the future. In 2010, with so much need realized, a small group of volunteers gathered together and, with the help of the Rotary Club, found funds to create the Tepehua Community Center. The non-profit organization set goals to provide better health, education, and economic opportunities for the residents through advice, counseling, and guidance. Addressing these issues primarily with the women of the barrio, positive changes began taking place. A soup kitchen brought local people in for healthy meals and socialization, with frozen soup provided to those who are homebound, old, &/or infirm. A bazaar provided shopping for gently used items. An education program was put into place, teaching children AND parents to read and use computers. Medical, dental, and maternal health care, even acupuncture, became available at the Community Center clinic, including education on diseases like cancer and STD’s. And over time a program was established to provide fresh, clean water as an alternative to the plethora of easily accessible refrescos (soft drinks) believed to contribute to the rise in kidney disease in the barrio.
My initial interest in Tepehua grew when I spotted well made, colorful face masks just inside the door of the Tepehua Treasures Thrift Shop. When I began asking questions about the beautifully made items stacked on shelves just inside the door, I realized that the person answering me (behind the mask!) was Mary Ruzich, seamstress and friend I had met last year through a neighbor. In fact, our meeting took place – PRE-Covid – on a trip to the fabric district of Guadalajara.
Leaving behind a much enjoyed sewing group in Mazatlan, Mary happily joined the Tepehua Sewing Center that had been organized in 2012. She took over direction of the group over a year ago when its beloved founder Irka passed away. Mary’s career as an elementary school teacher and long time seamstress made her a perfect fit for the job.
Twice a week the highly organized, well-equipped Tepehua Sewing Center hosted a group of ten women who came together to learn business and sewing skills. Mary is constantly listening for opportunities for the women to learn new skills and generate income. In addition to the ever-evolving array of projects, she also teaches them how to do alterations and quilting. Their expertly made products include potholders, eye glass holders, teddy bears, pillow cases, small shoulder bags, aprons, shopping bags, place mats, small zipped purses, the face masks I love, and many more quality items which are sold at community events and the Tepehua Treasures Thrift Shop (in Riberas del Pilar, next to Computerland for those of you who live in the Lakeside area). “It’s all for our children and grandchildren” the women say. Their skills have brought a higher quality of life to all in the barrio, “making lives better, one stitch at a time…”
Enter Covid. The Tepehua Sewing Center classes dropped to half their normal size. When cases began showing up at the medical clinic adjacent to it, the decision was made to close the Center for now and farm projects out to the women in their homes as much as possible. The sale of their products provides much needed income and any disturbance in that process can be catastrophic. Covid has certainly taken its toll, limiting sales opportunities through community events, in addition to limiting classes.
Tepehua Treasures Thrift Shop, is the primary support (no other fund raising is allowed) for the Community and Sewing Centers. They welcome donations of nearly any kind – clothing, jewelry, books, household items – for sale in their store. Monetary donations can also be made via PayPal, check, or cash. Volunteers tend the store Tuesday through Friday from noon until 3 PM. Masks and use of hand gel are mandatory before entering. Hours are short because more volunteers are needed. I recently heard a volunteer explain with great pride the many ways the shop income serves the Tepehua barrio. But here, also, sales are down due to limitations related to Covid. The need is great.
I was lucky enough to visit the Tepehua Community Center this week, thanks to Mary. The large white-washed building proudly sports its name facing the wide cobblestone street. There is not much activity on the street – or in the building. The ample industrial kitchen is quiet and the dining area is lined with stacks of colorful plastic chairs waiting to be put to use again. The bazaar, with its low-priced items, is a bit musty from 10 months of closed doors. The Sewing Center is quiet except for Spanish conversation between Mary and the office manager, Esperanza, working together on a quilting project. Through a rear window I see a hilltop crowded with small concrete block homes. Below, at the back of the building, sits the medical clinic, its van, and the water program building with its new truck. The clinic is only open 2-3 days a week now. A sudden too–toot-toom of a trumpet raises my eyebrows and Mary explains that a family lives in a downstairs casita, acting as caretakers. Their son is learning to play his instrument, bringing the building alive as I stand listening.
Moonyeen (Moonie) King, Director of the Community Center, describes how things have changed this year: “With everything came a sense of urgency… Dental activity was by appointment only so no lines waiting….Food was picked up at the door in packages…and potable water was delivered…The entire organization is working with limited hands on deck or boots on the ground.” Just last week the title of the land where the Community Center stands was signed over to the people of Tepehua, assuring that the Center will be theirs for years to come. Donations from the Rotary Club and the private sector “financially and materially, kept us going” the Director says. There is hope.
And “so this is Christmas…and what have you done?” In the craziness of 2020 so many are in need. Those of us who have so much have the opportunity to reach out to help those less fortunate. Tepehua and its “treasures” have become my cause. Perhaps they will be yours as well.
So “Merry, Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year! Let’s hope it’s a good one, without any fear.” (John Lennon). Feliz Navidad! Blessings to all.
UPDATE: The latest newsletter from Moonyeen King, Director of the Tepehua Community Center, reminds us that for the ultra poor not much changed during Covid. Their problems were the same though with the added layer of community deaths that may well have been due to the virus. No one really knows. Distribution of water continued through the Rotary’s new program; medical clinics stayed open; meals were distributed to homes on Fridays instead of at gatherings in the Center; women completed sewing projects in their homes. (Mary tells me she is now moving toward turning the Sewing Center over to the women themselves & acting as an “as needed” consultant, again meeting the organization’s goal of helping people help themselves.)
As time moves on & Covid restrictions loosen, new projects to benefit the community are in the works. The major need now is sanitation facilities. The individual toilets we take for granted are not the norm in the barrio. Convenience rules, contributing to disease & disarray. Moonyeen is leading the way for construction of communal toilets that will connect to the town’s sewage system. There will be both adult & child versions, taking advantage of the opportunity to distribute educational materials as well. Once again, fundraising is a MUST. Once again you can make a difference by donating to a hands-on, frontline, low administrative (volunteers run the program) cost project. Check into Tepehua.org for ways you can contribute!
I leave you with the final paragraph of the latest newsletter:
“Thank you for your support in our struggle against the injustice of poverty, perhaps one day there will be a level playing field but until that happens, we have to give a hand up to those in our society under the poverty line through no fault of their own. It benefits the community as a whole and makes a healthy middle class which is needed for community survival.
Stay Safe. Yours in Rotary and the Barrio of Tepehua.”
Moonyeen King
To learn more about the Community Center and the Thrift Shop, visit:
For more information about the sewing program, or to arrange a tour, contact Mary Ruzich at mruzich53@gmail.com or +1 541 690 2771.
(Thanks to Mary for her time, assistance, and some of the photographs. And to Esperanza & the volunteers in Tepehua Treasures for their co-operation. Also to Moonyeen King for her forward-thinking & fierce leadership.)