WHAT WE DO

Seattle Oaxaca Connection is generating financial support for indigenous and rural communities of Oaxaca, Mexico. Our village-scale grants and scholarships will reward innovation as they support locally-based, sustainable community development.

The need is great. Oaxaca is the second poorest state in Mexico. In recent decades, tourism and agricultural exports have dropped dramatically. Oaxaca has a large population of indigenous rural poor, and many have emigrated to the United States. Those who remain, largely women, children, and the elderly, have few options for change.

Yet hope endures. Seattle Oaxaca Connection focuses on three ways in which to make a contribution to this beautiful land and her people.

* The group RENACES (Spanish for Rebirth), working with a dozen of the most marginalized villages of Oaxaca, has identified specific needs - such as sewing machines and ovens - that will be shared within the community and be the hub of a new business venture.

* Museos Comunitarios de Oaxaca is an association of fifteen rural communities throughout the state who are using local museums as a focal point for heritage preservation, ecotourism, and economic development. Our funds will support display booths that these groups will use to promote their communities and their crafts at events throughout the region.

* We are working closely with Shinzaburo Takeda, a professor and chair of the school of art at the Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juárez" of Oaxaca. Maestro Takeda has a history of recruiting rural students to the university, and he is constantly striving to create educational and career opportunities for them.

HOW WILL IT WORK?

* An art exhibit of Seattle and Oaxaqueño printmakers will be held at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. The Oaxacan work is for sale to benefit the project.

* We are seeking selected foundation grants to support the events and the project.

* Project organizers are all volunteers. Tax deductible donations will be processed by our non-profit fiscal sponsor, Community Alliance for Global Justice . All funds generated through the art sales, event, grants and website go directly to our charitable recipients in Oaxaca.