CEDESA

This past weekend I spent in Dolores Hidalgo, a really pretty city about two hours North of Irapuato. Once a month a group of farmers meet at CEDESA, a development center, to spend the weekend discussing better farming techniques, problems relevent to their lives, and solutions to those problems. Professors from local universities and professionals in the field of agriculture, human rights, and social science give presentations.

Most importantly, it is an opportunity for the men and women to come together to discuss shared problems and discover solutions. This week they discussed how to get the most out of the tourism scene, the sterotypes that exist amongst the family, and the problem of immirgration in the area. We watched an incredibly powerful movie, Letters Abroad, about immigration and the lasting affects it has in the area. I was extremely interested and truly got a lot out of the movie and group conversations afterwards. For many, they simply have no option. There is not enough money in farming, school is too expensive so crossing is the only option. For others it seems they go out of curiosity and because of the stories they hear. I am very interested to learn more and I am sure I will in the coming months.

A role playing activity

Guillermina brought 12 seeds, one for each community that is represented. She passed them out to a rep from each community and they are going to plant them in their community.

Due to the financial crisis that has hit the US and ultimatly Mexico, funds for PLAMAC have for all intensive purposes, come to a hault. They had to sell their office and all of the things, mountains of books, materials, manuals, signs have had to be shoved into Guillerminas garage. It was pretty sad moving the stuff. And it presents a bit of a problem for the house.

There is more in the garage now. We had a rainstorm last night and a lot of the stuff got soaked...

I have been busy working on the greenhouse in Valanciantia. I enjoy the hour or so. Plus the nephew of one of the women comes by each afternoon to help. He is a really nice kid and he is incredibly patient with my spanish and eager to help in the garden.

La plagua. The plague that has killed most of the plants...


While in Dolores Hidalgo about ten of us went on a walk after the classes. We stopped in a house where plates and mugs made by womens groups in the area are stored. It was eleven at night but the family was eager to show us around their home and sell some of the group mugs and plates.


A half block away from the house their is a big field. Everyday a fella brings his cows to graze in the field. A football field away is a Walmart and Sams Club and to the left is a major highway. I dont know how he gets his cows there...


I post or two ago I told you about Herman, the fella in the market who spent time in the US and welcomed me to come and chat whenever. I had a free afternoon so I swung by his spot in the market and we chatted for a bit about his expereinces. He didn´t want his picture but here is a picture of his spot with a friend and his nephew.

A really neat restaurant that is always busy. Only quesadillas in the morning. They make em on one side and then all the pots in the middle have stuff from Nopales and mushrooms to cows blood and chicken.

Eighty cents.

Thanks all and I will update you all soon. I only have two more weeks here. I knew it would go by fast but man... Take care!