Pat Bader is a member of the Seattle Chapter of the Maryknoll Affiliates.
The Oaxaca Ecology Project ranch where I volunteered for two
weeks recently is located in the hills north of the city of Oaxaca that former
Maryknoll Lay Missioners Pat and Mary Denevan from Portland Oregon started
about 10 years ago. The city of Oaxaca
lies in the central mountain range of the country about 300 miles south of
Mexico City.
The ecology project "combines principles of
Permaculture, modern technology and the wisdom of indigenous cultures of Mexico
to promote efficient uses of natural resources and organic, sustainable
agriculture" (from the Ecology Project mission statement) and includes
over 30 fruit trees watered by a drip system,
solar cells to generate
electricity, solar water heating system, thermally efficient adobe home,
rain collection ditches and roof collection system, composting
system, ecological dry toilet system, and biointensive gardens. A center
for women's integral health is also a part of the project.
Pat and Mary have recently formed a partnership in this
Project with Carlos Gonzalez and Liz Ramirez from a nearby village. Carlos and Pat Denevan work at the ranch
(where I helped repair a storage building).
They teach newer ecological farming methods to farmers in the area while
Mary and Liz address women’s health and life issues. Next month, construction will begin on a
small multi-purpose building for classes, meetings, therapy and healing
sessions, and small community events.
Staying at the home of Carlos and Liz along with their three
adult children and two young grandchildren was a highlight of my trip. The family members knew me from my previous
trip and were comfortable having me there.
The grand children like to call Pat Denevan and me “los dos Patricios.”
My conversational Spanish was enough to get me by with the
family and neighbors (since few speak English in the village). Carlos and Liz spoke slowly and distinctly to
me so I understood most of what they were saying. I understood the 5- and 7-year old
grandchildren even better!
Together we attended family gatherings, neighborhood
fiestas, and anniversary celebrations as well as visiting markets and small
villages. Extended families seem more
important than acquiring possessions and wealth for most villagers. Their
social life is centered on family gatherings and celebrations.
Working on the Ecology Project ranch and living with such a
caring Mexican family made this trip so rewarding. The most important part of the volunteer trip
was not what work we did but rather being in solidarity with the Denevans and
my host family as well as the Oaxacan people I met.
The Oaxaca Ecology Project is a 501 (c) (3) organization
under IRS regulations. Donations are gratefully accepted and
tax-deductible. Please mail to —Oaxaca
Ecology Project, c/o Kevin Denevan, P.O. Box 83293, Portland, OR, 97283.
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