Finalizing 2017: Medicial plants project

During 2017, the group of women from Tonchintlán, who has produced remedies with medicinal plants for more than 5 years, and the newly formed group from Ixcotitlán, were accompanied with several activities. The work dynamics of these groups took a considerable turn during this year, because the main promoter of the groups left the region. For this reason, it was essential to support both groups by encouraging teamwork, self-organization and, initiating them into the management of their resources to give a continuous production of their remedies. It is important to mention, the valuable participation that other groups have had by joining our work, sharing their experiences, their challenges, and the way in which they have solved different situations. This has been crucial for the women's groups of Ixcotitlán and Tonchintlán to know other forms of organized and collective work.

Summer course: Environmental Education

The interest shown in the surveys carried out months ago to the young people of 4 communities of Tianguistengo was reflected this summer, since a "Course/Pilot Workshop on Environmental Education" was held for young people between 8 and 13 years old in the community of Tonchintlán of the municipality of Tianguistengo. This summer course was carried out through a 3 week stay in the community (from July 17th to August 4th). This occasion and as it has been fostered by Agroecol, we had the participation of a multidisciplinary work team, with a great commitment during the development of each activity; from the panning phase to the field work.

Medicinal plants mounting

On this accompanying visitation, much of the time was spent checking the previously pressed plants, which would be ready for mounting. The rest of the time was spent on initiatives proposed at the last visiting round for the production of composters by the peasants. Likewise, the activities performed by the student from the UTSH, who did a professional stay at Agroecol, were assesed. This time, between the various activities, workshops, and meetings, 14 participants attended (9 women and 5 men).

Wooden presses and medicinal plants

After the completion of the organic fertilizer production goals propounded since May, on this visiting round, the efforts given to this and to the group of women project on medicinal plants are renewed. This time, the production of wooden plant presses was accomplished by both communities, which ought to be an essential starting point for the coming projects and workshops. Otherwise and then again at the discretion of the peasants, the production of a composter under the principle of "mano vuelta" (intensive collective work) for the gathering of materials is proposed. This is actually the continuation of the collective and organized work carried out in recent months. The total participation during this visiting-round was of 23 people (17 women and 6 men).