Mexican Institute for Community Development A.C.

We were recently invited to tour CEDE/IMDEC, a community development project on the outskirts of Guadalajara located in Oblatos, near the Barranca de Huentitan.

CEDE/IMDEC

MISSION

To promote, together with other community, civil, and citizen organizations and with social movements in Mexico, processes of Education and Popular Communication, which contribute to the strengthening of the validity of Human Rights, the construction of Democracy and Sustainable Local Development from a perspective of Gender, in favor of groups and communities that have violated their rights. 

VISION 

At IMDEC we aspire to be an organization that contributes to the construction of emancipatory paradigms and to live in a democratic, equitable, inclusive society and in harmony with nature. Where peace is the fruit of justice and human rights are fully exercised by all.

Doris Wakeman, Poco A Poco San Pedro Itzican with Sandy Menier, IMDEC and Professor 

Ignacio "Nacho" G. Osuna Eskenazi from TEC DE MONTERREY

We had been told by Ignacio that the IMDEC had a wonderful, sustainably built, ecological kitchen that might work as a prototype for our design of the San Pedro Itzican Community Center, that we are currently developing.

The kitchen proved to be a great example of what could be accomplished with sustainable materials and practices.  It is a great design starting point from our perspective.

Bahareque

The main house is constructed with variations of a technique called Bahareque.

Bahareque uses construction material similar to adobe, 

consisting of clay or mud reinforced with sticks or canes.

Bahareque Samples

The variation in color comes from the different soil sources.

Ceiling Treatments

Dormitory

As the center is used for gatherings, workshops and conferences it also houses a dormitory

and separate adobe house for guests.

 

Dry Compost Toilet

Several dry compost toilets are available for guest's use.

Water Catchment System

Rainwater is captured throughout the property

And empties into a large catchment pond at the bottom of the hill.

The rainwater is used in the dry season to water several plant gardens.

Heirloom Corn Garden

The center is named for its founder and educator Carlos Nuñez Hurtado.

Medicinal Plant 4 Plastic Bottle Exchange Program, Jocotepec

To celebrate our Global Environment Day the students of "Gardening At Lakeside" on-line class, the young women of San Juan Cosala, their Co-Ordinator Monica Masini Aguilera and I took a trip to Jocotepec for their first Medicinal Plant 4 Plastic Bottle Exchange Program.

We had been collecting plastic bottles for a few weeks now, so with bags of bottles in hand

we headed to the Municipal Viero of Jocotepec.

Municipal Vivero of Jocotepec

Alondra stands in front of the vivero's compost pile

We found numerous medicinal plants and ornaments growing in an area

alongside the soccer field.  The complex also houses the Cruz Verde clinic, and Proteccion Civil/Bomberos.

Monica counting and placing her contributions in the bin

The idea was for every 10 plastic bottles we contributed we were entitled to take 1 medicinal plant.

We brought several large bags of bottles, so we had many opportunities to choose plants.

The Municipal Vivero also houses a couple of worm farms.  We visited with the worms, who were happily busy eating banana skins.

We love Red Wrigglers!

The vivero also had permanent plantings in homemade wooden planter boxes.

Center is Gaby Solano, Co-Ordinator of the Municipal Vivero

Gaby welcomed us warmly and gave us a tour of the project and area.

Since we recently started another community garden/vivero in San Cristobal across the lake, these plants will come in handy and will assist us with our initial garden.

Family Van

With the family van nicely packed, we headed out satisfied that we had helped our recycling efforts and successfully celebrated Global Environment Day in Mexico.

Plant & Home Garden Sale - July 3rd & 4th, 2021 in Riberas Del Pilar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 Please join us for our

In preparation for the Plant & Home Garden sale we are looking for donations

of plastic plant pots 10 inches in diameter or larger.

Also any plant donations would be very welcome.

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+++++++ San Juan Tecomatlan Vivero Has Moved +++++++

 

Our Vivero La Esperanza in San Juan Tecomatlan has officially moved.  We ran into issues with lack of water, theft, stray horses, cows and chickens eating our plants, so we moved the Vivero a block west to the property of the Diaz family.  They have a large, fenced in area on their property, complete with dogs and kids to watch over our plants and efforts.

First Shade Structure with cement footings....a bit of work to remove.

Yesterday we went to the Vivero to remove the last of the items, two shade structures.  Emily Ruth and her brothers and sisters were present and helped the Brigadistas in the task.

Cesar, Clemente and Emily Ruth Dismantling the Shade Structure

We had the two shade structures custom made by an ironsmith in Chapala and they will now be used in the new Vivero San Pedro Itizican and on the new Vivero La Esperanza location.

Brigadista Truck Ready To Roll

We had two years of  growing organic food, weekly classes, numerous celebrations, lots of growth and sharing.  We are grateful to the people of San Juan Tecomatlan for having hosted our Vivero La Esperanza.

It was sad to say Adieu to the original vivero site, but as nature would have it, it will germinate in another, more secure and loved place.

A special Thank You to all the wonderful volunteers who contributed to our two years of growth...we could not have done it without you!

Watch Us Grow!