Oaxaca is known for its natural beauty, its cultural wealth and quality handcrafts. Less known are the day-to-day realities lived by its native people. With a population of only 498 inhabitants, (30 percent of whom are youth), Santa María Yavesía is a small and impeccable community hidden in Oaxaca’s northern mountain range. Its pine oak forests are considered to be one of the richest and most complex latifoliate coniferous forests on the planet, with more plant species per unit than anywhere in the world.
The spring water source in Santa Maria Yavesia is always well guarded
A few minutes from the local church, which dates back to the sixteenth century, one finds Zapotec ruins marking the first human settlements in the region, dating back to 600 A.D. Yavesía’s natural spring source, which provides the community with fresh water year-round, boasts a large carved stone, a legacy from its first settlers.
As reflected in their organized efforts to conserve the community’s environment, the people of Yavesia have been recycling cans and separating trash for over ten years and recently began taking their plastic materials to Oaxaca city for recycling. Although their primary source of income is remittances from family members overseas, this community is always looking for new opportunities.
The Oaxaca Community Foundation is currently assisting two modest businesses to achieve their goals. The first is a small honey cooperative with six members. “When we were children, we had bees,” says Don Gregorio Aristeo, whose smile and charisma affect you immediately.
This month the group will harvest honey for the first time.
Thanks to the Oaxaca Community Foundation, the number of the cooperative’s beehives has doubled. Until now, its members have used home-made helmets made of mesh bags to protect themselves from getting stung. The Foundation’s support will help them purchase new safety materials and receive further training. This month the group will be harvesting its first batch of honey. Stay tuned from more news from the Yavesia apiary!
Women’s Strength is the name of another of Yavesia’s small businesses receiving Oaxaca Community Foundation support. Each of this tomato-cultivating group’s four members has a small rustic greenhouse on her property. The Oaxaca Community Foundation is investing in a cooperative greenhouse on communal lands, where they will plant and harvest the crops together.
Cooperative members visiting the site where their new greenhouse will be built.
This is a small but determined group of four dedicated women. “There used to be more of us, but little by little they’ve abandoned the group,” says Irma Pérez, the group’s representative. In the future the group hopes to start canning pears, apples and peaches as well. With immense potential for growth, this group is a model to follow!
