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Who Benefits?
About Jalapa
Delegations, including 2007's Summer Trip
Check out the new Boulder Municipal Sister City Plaza,
Meet FCP's
in-country volunteers
Contact Us/
Support FCP
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A successful Huerto in Jalapa |
The Huertos Familiares Program
The huertos program is FCP's most recent program. In the barrio of El Polvorin campesinos are creating sustainable garden plots.
The huertos program is doing more than providing a nutritious, inexpensive, dependable source of food.
It is awakening a spirit of pride, self-reliance, and community empowerment as well as revealing the
innate leadership and creativity of the campesinos-the seed of sustainability.
Healthy Children
The potable water projects built in Teotecacinte,
Chusli, and Corozo are probably the most dramatic evidence of benefits.
In January, 1994, the Jalapa region was hit by a cholera epidemic.
Teotecacinte had no cases of cholera. In the first year of operation
of the water system in Chusli, the incidence of infant diarrhea
was reduced by fifty-five percent. Dehydration from diarrhea kills
more children under the age three than any other disease.
Community Empowerment
Since finishing the water systems, the
citizens of Teotecacinte have worked in cooperation with the Friendship
City Exchange of Glenwood Springs to build a community center, a
high school, and community tree farm. The people of Chusli have
renovated their community center and have several other projects
planned with surplus income from the water system. The success of
the water projects in these places has empowered their citizens
to work toward new accomplishments and participate in the life of
their communities.
Emancipation of Women and Children
The task of hauling water for the home is assigned
to women and children, especially girls. In Teotecacinte and Chusli,
they have been emancipated from this task and women now have more
time to earn and income. In Teotecacinte, some young girls have
been able to return to school because they do not have to spend
the morning hauling water.
Reconciliation
and Peace
In Teotecacinte, Chusli, and Corozo, former combatants
from the contra forces and Sandinista Popular Army have worked together
on their water systems. Some of the men and women who fought on
both sides in the war have resolved to put the war behind them and
make peace. These projects have strengthened their efforts.
Cultural
Exchange
People from both regions have had opportunities to
visit the other's region and learn how the other culture functions.
Members of Boulder's teen delegations have felt that visiting the
Jalapa region was a life-changing experience. |
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