Mexico

Two jagged mountain ranges sweep the length of Mexico along its seacoast. They are called the Sierra Madres Occidental and the Oriental Mountains. Between the two ranges lies a broad, central plateau. Located in the middle of this plateau is our Guanajuato project area. These mountain villages are at an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet with about 300 villagers in each community who live in adobe or rock hunts with dirt floors. Their challenges are great. Most have no potable water, except what they carry in by burros. Their corn harvest is usually adequate, but there is no crop rotation or horticulture. The staple foods are tortillas and beans. There is some livestock, such as goats and chickens. The government has brought limited access to electricity to a few of the villages, but they cannot afford to do much with it. Despite their hardships, the villagers maintain their dignity and work to improve their circumstances. Even the poorest dwelling is decorated with a well-tended flower garden.

Focus

• Animal husbandry
• Rain harvesting systems
• Schoolhouses
• Micro-enterprises
• Women’s savings boxes
• RDF training program

Country Coordinator

Juan Luis Alducin, CHOICE’s country coordinator for Mexico, was born in Mexico City. He is married to Analy and has four daughters. Juan studied agronomical engineering at the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitiana de Xochilmilco. He then received many postgraduate degrees in agriculture and livestock industry from the Universidad Iberoamericana, in investment and project management from Celaya-NAFIN, and in rural development from la Fundacion Mexicana. Juan has worked as a technical promoter for the Mexican Foundation of Rural Development and as a professor of agricultural and industrial administration. When Juan joined CHOICE in 1995, he supervised five project areas. Since that time, he has expanded CHOICE’s involvement to over twenty-two communities. Analy has also started projects specifically for women.