Intro
The Sierra Gorda consists of a series of mountain chains marked by very rugged terrain. Most of the population there lives in very small rural communities that are difficult to access via traditional means (cars/trucks).
These rural communities are dispersed throughout the highlands at around 2300m above sea level (7,540ft), and most are composed of one to ten families. Many of these households live in extreme poverty and without access to basic services like clean water and sanitation. Poverty and its woes have forced many, especially younger residents, to migrate and seek employment abroad to better support their families still living in these communities.
One such remittance dependent family is that of Doña Tomasa. Tomasa's 1 room residence is a 3 hour strenuous hike away from the nearest town. Her home is one of many lacking access to running water and electricity. She lives there with her sons who are 14 and 11 years of age but so slight of build that they could be mistaken for 8 year olds. After meeting this wonderful family and many others we, along with our guide turned colleague Octavio Rodriguez, decided we had to do something to prevent the disease of coronavirus from exacerbating the disease of hunger and poverty.
Due to the coronavirus, families like Toña Tomasa’s and all the Sierra Gorda communities have been further segregated as access to the Sierra Gorda has been completely closed to prevent the spread of the virus in these more fragile areas. The spread of Covid-19 in Sierra Gorda would be catastrophic as there is no access to clinics, let alone hospitals.
Why we need action
The spread of coronavirus and subsequent closure of the Sierra Gorda by the Mexican government has prevented the spread of the virus in this fragile area. However, it has also resulted in further isolating these marginalized communities who are not among those slotted to receive help from the government.
What we are doing
To begin, we have selected five at risk communities to benefit from our project: Los Hornitos (24 families), Los Pinos (120 families), Llano de San Francisco (30 families), San Gaspar (100), La Sancona (26 families). If, with your help, we are able to exceed our fundraising targets we will be able to reach additional communities. Our contacts in those communities are helping us obtain information so we can ensure we provide the right supplies according to the needs of each family.
How can you help?
This is a critical time for the small communities of the Sierra Gorda. Although I wish that we could envision and implement a more sustainable long-term solution for them, these communities have immediate needs and will suffer unless we, together, do something about it.
Every single dollar counts and we are so grateful for anything you can share.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
The Team
Octavio Rodríguez (Dardo4 Sierra Gorda tours https://www.dardo4sierragorda.com/) has traveled Sierra Gorda for more than 24 years. Besides being a guide, he carries out various sporting events where he employs the largest number of people from the communities. He is in constant communication with the various "ejido groups" where tours/events pass, always looking for the ejido to have a benefit from these events. He is involved with the inhabitants of the communities and is well known and respected in Sierra Gorda. He has organized food and clothing drives to benefit several communities as well. For our project he helped us target the communities most in need. He is also in charge of communication with the communities and the logistics on how we will reach the most isolated families.
Tere Avila moved back to Mexico a year ago and travels to Sierra Gorda often. When the contingency began, she was called to help support affected tour guides in Sierra Gorda. Instead, those tour guides encouraged her to help support the communities that are most in need, hence she got in touch with Octavio. She is in charge of the project funds, purchase and organization of groceries.
JP Avila, Javier Avila, and Alberto Artasánchez are our social media advisors.
Only Octavio and I will be allowed to go into the Sierra Gorda for food distribution. The UAQ - Autonomous University of Queretaro's Social Link to the Sierra Gorda, will facilitate our access to Sierra Gorda by obtaining a permit with the municipal authorities.
